Keep Your Houseplants Alive When You’re Traveling

Self-Watering Technique #1: Slow-Release Watering with Wine Bottle

Surely this is the best self-watering technique out there simply because you start out by imbibing the contents of a bottle of wine. Tough, I know.

Really, though, any empty long-necked bottle will do. Rinse out the bottle. Fill the bottle with water and drive its neck into the soil. There are a few techniques that will slow the bottle's content to a trickle: 1) Toss a few glass pebbles (easily found at a dollar store or nursery) into the bottle; 2) Instead of using a topless bottle, use one with a screw top you've driven a hole through; and 3) employ a bottle plant nanny stake.

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(Photo: uncommongoods.com)

Self-Watering Technique #2: The Wicking System

With the wicking system, you're basically arranging for your plants to "drink" water from a reservoir. One end of the wick is in the reservoir, the other in the plant's root ball.

You'll need a few readily accessible household items: 1) A receptacle to put the water in (choose one that isn't transparent, as light penetration invites algae build up); 2) strips of acrylic or cotton material (an old pair of panty hose or T-shirt will do); and 3) a chopstick, screwdriver, pencil, or similar such long, pointy item.

The trick here is to determine the wick's proper width for each plant, as its job is to soak up and transport water from the reservoir to the root ball. Small plants are generally fine with a single-strip wick while larger plants require a wider "drinking straw." For a wide wick, braid together several strips of the material and tie off at the ends.

Then, tuck one end of the wick into the plant's root ball with your pointy instrument and the other end into the water receptacle, which you should position immediately next to the plant pot. Fill the receptacle with water and let the magic happen!

(Photo: Wikiphoto via WikiHow/CC Attribution)

Self-Watering Technique #3: Slow-Release Watering with Sandwich Bag

This is the self-watering technique that requires the least time investment, but it's also the one that can only be employed during brief absences.

You'll need two things most everyone has in their home: 1) A sandwich bag (or any heavy-stock bag); and 2) A pin, needle, thumbtack, or other such pricking utensil.

Simply fill the sandwich bag with water, prick the bag with the tiniest hole, and lay the bag on the plant's soil bed—hole side facing downward. Easy enough.

Because the hole is so miniscule and the bag's contents stream only so much, you don't run the risk of overwatering.

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(Photo: Thinkstock/iStock)

Move Them, Group Them

Because excessive light and wind makes for a thirstier plant, move them away from heat, AC, and draft sources. This includes radiators and vents that will remain operational during your trip, but also south-facing windows providing too much direct sunlight. Group plants together near a window that provides indirect light.

(Photo: F.D. Richards via flickr/CC Attribution)

Maintenance

A plant can better withstand neglect if it's in an already good place. Keep a constant regimen of watering, feedings, and trimming off any dying leaves. First, though, find the plant's most preferred spot in your house.

Ready your baby by nurturing it with lots of TLC, and if it's on a growth spurt, also provide some nutrients. Learn your plant's nutrient needs. A happy, healthy plant will stave off disease and will be able to withstand mild cases of neglect.

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(Photo: Thinkstock/iStock)

Choose the Right Soil

Choose a soil with peat moss or coconut fibers if you're often out of town. The mixed-in moss and coco fibers maintain the soil medium-moist for longer periods of time. Above all else, however, select a container mix soil applicable to your specific plant variety.

(Photo: Steven Depolo via flickr/CC Attribution)

Start Off by Choosing the Right Plants

Drought-tolerant plants. These are the three key words avid travelers want to look for when at a nursery. Among these low-maintenance selections are the cacti family, which can withstand waterless spells for a month or two at a time, or as long as a season during dormant winter periods; succulents, including jades and aloes, which will bear several weeks without a drop; and snake plants (a.k.a. mother-in-law's plants), ZZ plants, and most common ivy varieties.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 8 Tiny Travel Gadgets You Can't Leave Home Without
• How to Make Your Purse Lighter
• How to Travel Without a Bag

Patricia Magaña admits to being an unapologetic houseplant horder. Follow her on Instagram @PatiTravels for travel inspiration.

(Photo: Nuwandalice via flickr/CC Attribution)