When you’re out-of-town, there are plenty of kennels and other facilities that
will mind your dog or cat. In fact, the pet-care business is booming!
However, the same options aren’t available for your houseplants. So what
do you do?
First, keep in mind that plants can go for several days or even a couple of
weeks without water. This frequently happens in their natural habitats. So if
you’re gone for just a few days, your flora will probably be fine.
Flowering plants tend to need the most water. Give them an extra dose just
before you leave. Also, make sure they are in indirect, rather than direct
sunlight. That will help them conserve water.
If you’re going to be away for a week or more, consider one of the several
products on the market that water plants automatically. Many of these allow
you to adjust how much water each plant gets — and when.
You’ll find plenty of do-it-yourself instructions for making your own automatic
waterer on the internet, from plastic cups with tiny holes in the bottom to
upside-down bottles with wicks. These might work, but you’ll want to test
them first.