You’ve done your best to keep your plants healthy and thriving only to see all your hard work undone in a flash the moment you go away on holiday. If you don’t have a friendly, green-fingered neighbour to look after your plants in your absence, avoid returning to a houseplant graveyard by setting up a self-watering system.
Now you can enjoy sipping cocktails by the pool, safe in the knowledge your plants will also be staying refreshed while you’re gone.
Cacti and succulents
Originating from arid, desert conditions, cacti and succulents can go for months without watering. Give them a good water before you go and leave them in a shady spot. TIP: Remove any buds and flowers so they need less water.
Small plants
If you have lots of little plants, hydrate the lot in one fell swoop by lining a large tray with small pebbles. Fill the tray with water to the top of the rocks and place your pots on top.
Veggies and herbs
For herbs or small vegetables such as tomatoes and chillies, create a self-watering system using a two-litre plastic bottle, and a large coffee can. Cut the top off the plastic bottle and disguard, make holes in the 'feet' of the bottle. Cut a hole the same size as the plastic bottle out of the coffee can lid and place on the can. Now push the plastic bottle into the coffee can (feet down). Fill the can with water and the bottle with soil and your plant for an easy, self-watering system. +
The cheat’s solution
The easiest option is to buy a self-watering pot. Ikea does a range to suit various sizes of plant. All you have to do is pour some water into the compartment then head off on your hols while the ingenious pot enables your plant to soak up just the right amount of water each day.
