Leaving outdoor potted plants unattended presents a significant challenge for travelers, as containers dry out much faster than garden beds. The limited soil volume and exposure to wind and sun accelerate moisture loss, threatening plant health within a few days. This article explores reliable, practical solutions, ranging from simple household hacks to sophisticated automated systems, ensuring your plants thrive while you are away.
Preparing Plants for Water Conservation
The day before leaving, thoroughly saturate the soil until water runs freely from the drainage holes, ensuring the entire root ball is moist. This deep soaking provides the maximum reservoir of water the pot can hold before any supplementary system activates.
Reducing the plant’s surface area minimizes moisture loss through transpiration. Pruning any excessive or soft, new growth directs the plant’s energy toward survival rather than creating new foliage that rapidly loses water. Focus on removing spent flowers or heavily leafed branches that are not structurally necessary.
Relocating the containers out of direct sunlight reduces heat stress and evaporation. Moving them under a covered porch, a dense tree canopy, or against a north-facing wall significantly lowers the ambient temperature. Grouping the containers closely together further helps by creating a microclimate that naturally traps humidity.
For shorter trips lasting less than five days, ensure that drainage saucers are clean and hold a small amount of water immediately after the deep soaking. While good drainage is normally important, a temporary shallow reservoir in the saucer provides a slight buffer against rapid drying.
Low-Cost DIY Watering Techniques
Several low-cost, do-it-yourself techniques offer reliable temporary watering solutions. The water wicking system is highly effective, using capillary action to deliver moisture directly to the soil. To set this up, place a large reservoir, such as a bucket or cooler, next to or slightly below the plant.
A strip of cotton rope, nylon cord, or felt strip is used as the wick. One end is submerged deep into the water reservoir and the other end is buried several inches into the plant’s soil. The material absorbs water, pulling it upward and releasing it into the drier soil as needed.
Another simple technique involves using inverted plastic or glass bottles as slow-release water stakes. Fill a clean wine bottle or a two-liter plastic bottle with water, then quickly invert it and insert the neck deeply into the pot’s soil. The soil pressure and vacuum created inside the bottle regulate the flow, allowing water to seep out slowly as the soil dries.
For very large pots, multiple bottle stakes may be necessary to ensure even moisture distribution across the entire root system. The rate of water release is influenced by the soil density and the size of the bottle opening.
The bathtub or kiddie pool method is suitable for a large collection of smaller pots, utilizing the plant’s natural ability to draw water upward. Place a towel or mat on the bottom of a shallow basin to prevent scratching and provide a base for the pots. Fill the basin with one to two inches of water.
The pots are then placed directly into the water, allowing the moisture to be absorbed through the drainage holes via capillary action. If using this method outdoors, ensure the location is protected from rain to prevent the basin from overflowing. This technique works best for pots with well-drained soil.
Investing in Automated Irrigation Systems
For travelers who take extended trips or frequently leave their home for more than a week, investing in an automated irrigation system offers the most reliable long-term solution. Drip irrigation kits are specifically designed for container gardening and can be scaled to water dozens of pots simultaneously. These systems utilize a main line of tubing connected to an outdoor spigot or hose.
The tubing runs throughout the plant area, with small, specialized emission devices installed near each pot. These emitters deliver water directly to the soil surface at a slow, controlled rate, minimizing waste from evaporation or runoff. Pressure regulators are often included in these kits to ensure a consistent flow across all containers, regardless of their distance from the water source.
Alternatively, a pump and timer system provides a flexible setup that does not require a connection to the home’s main plumbing. This setup involves placing a submersible pump inside a very large water reservoir, such as a rain barrel or a large plastic tote. The pump is connected to a programmable timer that dictates the precise start time and duration of watering.
Small tubes are run from the pump to individual pots, delivering measured doses of water on a set schedule. This method is particularly useful when water conservation is a high priority or when using specific nutrient solutions. While not a quick vacation fix, transitioning to self-watering containers for future planting provides a permanent solution by integrating a built-in reservoir into the pot design.