How to care for your plants while traveling for the holidays
Leaving your plants behind during the holidays can be pretty stressful! If you're a plant parent getting ready to hit the road, you might be worried about coming back to sad or dead plants. With a few simple tricks up your sleeve, you can make sure your plant babies stay happy and healthy while you're out spreading holiday cheer.
1. Thoroughly water your plants before departure: Give each plant a deep, thorough watering within 24 hours before you leave. This ensures the soil is completely saturated but not waterlogged, providing a good moisture reserve for your plants while you're away. Pay special attention and bottom water the plants that typically need more water.
2. Move the plants away from direct sunlight and heat source: Relocate your plants to a spot with indirect light away from the heater to prevent excessive water evaporation. Direct sun and heat exposure can quickly dry out the soil and stress your plants, especially when you're not there to monitor their condition. An ideal location would be a few feet away from north or east-facing windows.
3. Create a mini greenhouse for smaller plants: For your compact plants, use a clear plastic container or box with a lid to create a humid, terrarium-like environment. This helps maintain moisture levels and creates a stable microclimate. Make sure to leave the lid slightly ajar to prevent excess condensation and mold growth.
4. Install a DIY self-watering system: Create a simple but effective watering solution using cotton string or rope as wicks. Place one end of the cotton wick in the plant's soil and the other end in a container of water placed slightly above the plant. The wick will slowly draw water to the soil as needed, maintaining consistent moisture levels during your absence.
If you're planning to be away for more than 2 weeks and have a large plant collection, consider our plant-sitting service. Amber or Flor will visit your home on a customized schedule to water, monitor, and care for your plants. They'll check soil moisture, water, take care of pests, and send you photo updates of your plants. Contact us at service@plantcornernyc.com a week before your departure to schedule this service.
