7 Ways to Water Your Plants While You're on Vacation

You’re all packed and ready for your vacation—but what about your plants? We’ll help you leave all your worries behind with simple ways to water plants while away. With our easy ideas, you’ll be able to take care of your plants in no time at all. Whether your plants are indoors or outdoors, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started!

Best Ways to Water Plants While You’re Away

Fill a wine bottle with water and insert it upside down into the soil of your plant.
Place a large jug of water near your plant pot, then insert one end of a length of twine into the jug and the other into the soil of your plant.
Puncture holes in a plastic bottle, fill it with water, and bury it next to your outdoor plant.
Wrap your entire plant in a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse.

Section 1 of 8:

Using a Glass Bottle

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Fill a glass bottle with water. Using a wine bottle is ideal, because it will be large enough to water 4 to 6 square feet (0.38 to 0.56 square meters) for up to 3-5 days. If you don't need to water such a large area, you can use a smaller bottle, such as a soda or beer bottle.^{[1]
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- Either use a bottle without a lid, or puncture 5 small holes in the cap using a hammer and nail. A cork likely will not work for this method.
- Best for: Plants that need lots of attention
- Duration: Around 5 days
- Benefits: Simple to set up
If the soil is dry, it’ll soak up all of the water that is in the bottle. Check if the soil is dry by sticking your finger into the topsoil. If it feels dry, water it now.^{[2]
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Turn the bottle upside down and push it into the soil. If your bottle doesn’t have a lid, cover the hole with your thumb so the water doesn’t drain out. As you’re pushing the neck into the soil, move your thumb out of the way. Make sure the neck is several inches into the soil so that the bottle stays in place. It’s okay if it leans to the side, as long as it feels secure.^{[3]
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- Once the bottle is in the soil, the wet, compacted soil will prevent the water from draining out. When the soil dries, gaps appear between the clumps of soil, which lets in air. This air will push out some of the water from the bottle to water your plants.
- To make sure the water is draining properly, draw a line on the bottle right at the water level. Check back in a few hours to make sure the water level has lowered. If it has, your bottle is working well.
- If the water isn’t draining and you didn’t use a lid, soil might be clogging the bottle opening. Poke a few holes in the lid, put it back on the bottle, and try again.

Section 2 of 8:

Using a String Drip System

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Fill a container with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Get a 1 gallon (3.8 L) jug of water, or fill another large container with water. Position the container so that it is out of direct sunlight to prevent the water from evaporating too quickly.^{[4]
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- Generally, a gallon of water will keep your plants watered for about a week. If you're only going for a few days and have a small plant, a mason jar will be big enough to keep it watered.
- This method is also called water wicking.
- Best for: Plants that need water 3 times per week
- Duration: Up to 3 weeks, depending on how much water you use
- Benefits: Can water multiple plants at once
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Cut a long piece of cotton string. Cotton is the most absorbent material and will transfer the water the easiest. Exact measurements aren’t necessary, but cut enough string to reach from the bottom of the container of water to the base of your plant. Cut one piece of string for each plant you need to water. If you have a lot of pieces, tie a paperclip on each one to keep them separated.^{[5]
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- If you don’t have cotton string or it’s too thin, braid 3 strips of cotton fabric together and use that instead.
- Nylon twine may also work. Just remember the string must be able to hold water. If it can't hold water, this method won't work.^{[6]
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Place 1 end of the string in the water and the other in the soil. Lower one end of the string into the water until it’s completely submerged and touches the bottom of the container. Then, poke the other end into the plant’s soil, about 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep. Make sure the string is out of direct sunlight so it doesn’t dry out.^{[7]
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- If you tied paperclips on your twine, drop the paperclip into the water to hold the end of the string down.^{[8]
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- Make sure the soil is saturated before you insert the string. If it’s too dry, it’ll soak up all the water before you leave on your trip.
- If your jug isn’t high enough, place it on a shelf, an upturned pot, or a large book. Gravity will pull water from the jug down into your plant’s soil.

Section 3 of 8:

Using a Plastic Bottle Drip Irrigation System

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Puncture holes in the side and bottom of a plastic bottle. Grab a plastic bottle, like a water bottle, and poke 2 holes in the bottom and 3-5 holes in one side using a hammer and nails. Place the pointy end of the nail against the bottle, then carefully bump it with the hammer. After the nail goes through the plastic, remove it and make the next hole.^{[9]
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- The size of the bottle you need depends on the size of the plant. Use a large bottle for larger plants, or a small bottle for a very small plant.
- The bottle will water one plant, so you only need holes on the side that faces the plant. Don’t add more than 5 holes to the side or the water will drain too quickly.
- Best for: Plants that constantly need water
- Duration: About 4 days
- Benefits: A frugal option
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Place the bottle in the soil next to the plant. First, dampen the soil of your plant so it won’t soak up all the water from the bottle immediately. Then, place the plastic bottle in a hole next to the plant, leaving the cap and 1-2 inches of the bottle peeking out. Make sure the holes you made in the side of the bottle are facing the plant, and pack the dirt around the bottle to keep it stable.^{[10]
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- Make sure you don’t disturb your plant’s roots.
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Fill the bottle with water. Fill the bottle to the top, then screw the cap on so the water doesn’t evaporate and instead drains into the soil. The water will slowly leak out from the holes and keep your plant moist while you’re away.^{[11]
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- If you want to fertilize your plant, add it to the bottle after you fill it with water.
- If your plant is outside, you can leave the cap off to collect rainwater. If it’s not supposed to rain while you’re gone, though, keep the cap on so the water doesn’t evaporate as quickly.

Section 4 of 8:

Making a Plastic Bag Greenhouse

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Place a damp towel in the bottom of a large, clear plastic bag. Make sure the plastic bag is big enough to fit over your potted plant. The bag will trap moisture as it’s released so it drips back into your plants, watering them.^{[12]
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- You can do this without the towel, but using one will add more moisture to your mini greenhouse.
- A clear bag works best because sunlight can pass through it.
- Best for: Houseplants and non-succulent plants
- Duration: 6-8 months
- Benefits: Long-lasting solution
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Place your plant inside the bag and water it. Place your plant on top of the towel, making sure the entire plant is covered. The bag works by trapping water inside, so make sure the soil is wet before you close the bag.^{[13]
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- It’s okay to put multiple plants in the bag, as long as they all fit. Just make sure their leaves don’t get tangled together.
- If you’ve recently watered your plant, you may not need to do so again.
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Tie the bag loosely to create a mini greenhouse. Trap some air in the bag so that it’s not tight around your plant. If necessary, blow a little air in the bag to puff it up. To secure the bag, knot the ends or wrap a rubber band around the top of the bag.^{[14]
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- If the plant’s leaves touch the bag, place 4 wooden stakes around the edges of your pot to create more space.
Partial sunlight is okay, but direct sunlight will heat up the bag and burn your plants. Place your plants indoors or outdoors, depending on what works best for you.^{[15]
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Section 5 of 8:

Using a Bathtub

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Line your bathtub, sink, or a large container with towels. While this is technically optional, lining your tub or sink with a towel will prevent the plants from scratching against it. Use as many towels as needed to cover the entire surface.^{[16]
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- You could also use a plastic sheet or a trash bag to protect from scratches. However, a towel is usually easier to keep in place once you add water.
- Best for: Tropical plants and plants that don’t need a lot of direct sunlight
- Duration: 1 week
- Benefits: A long-lasting solution
Make sure your plants are in pots with good drainage so that the water can soak through the roots. Place all of the plants in the tub or container.^{[17]
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Add 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of water. Add enough water to cover both the towel and the lowest part of the plant pot. Your plant will draw water through its pot's drain holes as needed.^{[18]
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- This method isn’t great for plants that don’t need a lot of water, such as succulents or cacti. Too much water will make their roots rot.

Section 6 of 8:

Using a Plant Saucer Setup

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Fill a saucer or tray with water. Find a saucer or tray that’s about the same size as your pot, or slightly larger. This ensures the saucer has room to hold water and still touch the bottom of the pot. Then, fill the saucer with water.^{[19]
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- Best for: Succulents and cacti that don’t need much water
- Duration: 2-3 days
- Benefits: Cheap and simple solution
Make sure your plant is in a drainage pot so that it can reach the water in the saucer. Place the pot on top of the saucer. The soil will slowly absorb the water from the saucer while you’re away.^{[20]
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Section 7 of 8:

Using Commercial Irrigation Systems

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Add a soil-based solution if you travel regularly. If you’re frequently away from home, add a soil-based solution like Terra-Sorb to your plant’s soil to extend the amount of time it stays moist. The crystals in these solutions absorb 200 times their weight in water and slowly release moisture as the soil dries out.^{[21]
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- Alternatively, add a layer of mulch to the soil’s surface to slow down evaporation.
- Best for: Houseplants
- Duration: 1 week or less
- Benefits: Works well if you travel frequently
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Place your plant in a self-watering pot. Self-watering planters absorb water from a reservoir at the bottom, releasing it to the soil as needed. To use one, follow the planter’s instructions to attach the reservoir and fill it with water. Then, simply transfer your plant to the pot.^{[22]
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- Edible gardening expert Erin Hostetler says, “Self-watering containers are great, especially if you have a space that gets a lot of heat.”^{[23]
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- However, Hostetler adds, “It’s important that you try not to over-water in a self-watering container, because then you can get stagnant water, which can lead to fungus gnats [and other] pests attracted to moist soil.”^{[24]
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- Best for: Tropical plants, succulents, houseplants
- Duration: A few days to a few weeks, depending on how much water your plant needs
- Benefits: Simple and reusable
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Use a watering globe. Many plant parents swear by watering globes. These decorative devices hold water in the globe and slowly dispense it as the soil dries out. Simply fill the globe with water, stick it in the soil, and let it do its job.^{[25]
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- Best for: Plants that prefer consistently moist, but not water-logged, soil
- Duration: 1-2 weeks
- Benefits: Convenient and reusable

Section 8 of 8:

Keeping Your Plant Alive While You’re Away

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Take other precautions to make sure your plant thrives while you’re away. In addition to keeping your plant watered, consider its other needs and how you plan to address them while you’re gone. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Plant type: Make sure you understand the specific needs of your plant.^{[26]
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  Research source} For example, vegetables and herbs need much more attention than succulents.
  - If you want a low-maintenance plant, consider air plants, orchids, peace lilies, cacti, kalanchoes, and succulents.
- Trip duration: If you’re only going away for a couple of days, most plants will probably be fine if you water them before you leave. If you’ll be away for longer than a week, though, have a watering system in place.^{[27]
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- Light and temperature: Since you won’t be there to monitor them, move your plants away from direct sunlight, as the light and heat will make the water evaporate more quickly.^{[28]
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- Fertilizer: If you’re going away for a while, do not fertilize your plants in the weeks leading up to your trip. You want your plants to grow slowly while you’re away to conserve energy and water.
- Pruning: Prune off any dead, dying, or unhealthy foliage. Additionally, pruning off any buds or flowers can help your plant conserve water, as these growths typically require more frequent waterings to stay healthy.

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Question

I returned home to find my outdoor plants unwatered and so dry they looked almost dead. I immediately soaked them and they came back to life. Did I do the right thing?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

If your plants came back to life then you did the right thing! You came home at a good time. Any longer and your plants probably would have died. Avoid this problem by using one of the methods detailed above to water your plants while you’re away.

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Question

Can I water on a tray of water?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Yes this can work if you are leaving for less than a week. This will work best with terracotta pots. Place the pots on a tray of shallow water.

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Question

The string that I am using to water my plants dries out, and my plants are dry as well. What am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

The string or cord that you use must be able to "hold" water. Usually that means that some part or all of it is cotton. The Dollar Stores sell synthetic twisted cord that cannot transit water. The round braided cord often has a cotton outside braid with a nylon or other synthetic core. These WILL transmit water. The way to test is to drop 6" of the end of the cord length into water in the sink for 30 seconds, then lift it out and see if you can squeeze water out of it easily. If you can, then this is the cord to use.

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If you are only going away for the weekend, a good soaking the night before you leave might be all that your plants need.^{[29]
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If you live in a hot, dry climate, you may need more than just an upturned bottle to keep your plants watered. Having a neighbor water your plants might be a good idea.^{[30]
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Consider the kinds of plants you have. Young seedlings will require more care than older, established plants.^{[31]
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