The Best Ways to Keep Your Indoor Plants Watered While on Holiday

Heading away on holiday? With a little preparation, you can keep your indoor plants happy and hydrated while you enjoy your time away.

Whether you're going away for a long weekend or taking a longer break, there are several simple ways to make sure your indoor plants continue to get the care they need. From choosing the right watering method to finding the perfect spot for your plants, here's how to prepare your indoor garden before you go.

Photo by Véronique Trudel on Unsplash

1. The "Ollas" Method for Simple, Ecological Watering If you want a solution that is both highly effective and visually pleasant, look no further than natural clay water diffusers, or "Ollas". We highly recommend the Trio of mini Ollas - The Iconics.

• How it works: Made from porous clay and sealed with cork, you simply fill these mini Ollas with water and push them directly into the compost of your small to medium-sized plants (pots under 15cm). You can also add the organic fertilizer directly in the olla.

• The result: Because the clay is porous, it acts as a natural water diffuser. The water slowly seeps into the soil over several days exactly when the compost begins to dry out. It’s consistent, slow-release hydration prevents over-watering and looks beautiful nestled among the leaves!
  

Photo from Pepin.

2. The Bottle Trick A classic and completely free method that works surprisingly well for short to medium breaks.

• How it works: Fill a clean plastic bottle with water, screw the lid on, and poke a few small holes in the lid (or remove the lid and poke holes in the bottle itself near the top). Cut out the bottom of the bottle. Insert it in the soil, upside down (lid in the soil) and fill the bottle with water.
• The result: Water slowly drips into the compost as the soil dries out, giving your plants a steady supply of moisture while you’re away.

3. Start Set for Balcony (Micro-Drip-System) For a more reliable and efficient solution, try the Start Set for Balcony.

• How it works: This ready-to-use Micro-Drip-System is ideal for watering up to 15 individual potted plants or plants in flower troughs and tubs. All the necessary components are included, and you can install it in just a few simple steps. The flexible connection technology makes it easy to convert or expand the system whenever you need.
• The result: It delivers accurate, water-saving irrigation directly to your plants — perfect for keeping them hydrated while you’re away on holiday.

Photo from Gardena.

4. The Bucket & Stick Trick This simple DIY method is ideal if you have several plants and want a low-tech way to keep them watered.

• How it works: Place a bucket or large container of water in the middle of your plants. Take pieces of thick string, wool, or cotton rope and push one end deep into the soil of each plant. Put the other end into the bucket of water.
• The result: The string acts like a wick, slowly drawing water from the bucket into the soil of each plant as needed.

A Few Extra Pre-Holiday Prep Tips:

• Move them out of direct sun: Even your sun-loving indoor plants will dry out faster on a bright windowsill. Move them to a shadier spot in the middle of the room to slow down their water consumption.

• Group them together: Plants release moisture through their leaves. By grouping them close together, you create a humid microclimate that helps reduce water loss.

Get Holiday-Ready at Windyridge Don't let plant panic ruin your holiday countdown! Pop into Windyridge Garden Centre in Dún Laoghaire or browse our online store. Whether you need the beautiful Trio of Mini Ollas or just some expert advice on pre-holiday preparation, we have all the tools to keep your indoor garden thriving while you enjoy a stress-free break.