Leaving your plants behind shouldn’t mean coming home to dry soil and wilted leaves. With a bit of preparation and the right set up, it’s entirely possible to keep both indoor plants and outdoor spaces healthy while you’re away.
Whether it is a long weekend or a two week break, successful holiday plant care comes down to one thing: maintaining consistent moisture without over watering.
This guide explains how to look after plants before your holiday, how to keep plants alive while on holiday, how to water plants while on holiday and how to care for your plants when you get home.
Which plants struggle the most while you’re away?
Some plants naturally lose moisture faster than others and are more vulnerable during hot or dry conditions.
Plants that typically require extra attention include:
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Hanging baskets and wall planters
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Small pots and containers
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Seedlings and young plants
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Vegetable crops
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Ferns and tropical plants
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Flowering annuals
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Plants in terracotta pots
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Recently repotted plants
Container-grown plants are particularly at risk because they have limited soil volume, meaning water evaporates much faster than in garden beds. Exposure to wind and direct sunlight also significantly increases drying speed, which makes watering plants while away more challenging.
How to Water Outdoor Plants While Away
Outdoor plants are more exposed to weather conditions, so moisture retention becomes especially important.
Here are some top tips on how to keep your outdoor plants alive while you’re away.
1. Use mulch to retain soil moisture
Applying mulch is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help your plants survive while you’re away. A layer of mulch acts as a protective barrier over the soil, reducing water loss through evaporation, regulating soil temperature, and helping the soil stay moist for longer periods.
This is especially useful during warmer weather or if you’re going away for more than a few days, as exposed soil in pots and borders can dry out quickly.
Mulch works by:
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Reducing evaporation by shielding soil from direct sun and wind
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Regulating soil temperature, keeping roots cooler in hot weather
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Improving moisture retention, so water stays available to roots for longer
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Suppressing weeds, which also compete for water
2. Install automatic plant watering systems for holiday
For longer periods away, automatic plant watering systems such as drip watering or watering timers provide a steady and controlled water supply.
These systems deliver small, regular amounts of water directly to the root zone, helping to prevent both drying out and over watering. Drip irrigation is especially effective for pots, raised beds and garden borders, as it targets each plant individually and reduces water loss through evaporation.
Watering timers add convenience by controlling when watering happens, typically running early in the morning or evening when conditions are cooler. Once set, the system continues working automatically, making it ideal for watering plants while away for extended holidays.
3. Move pots into shadier positions
Moving pots into shaded areas significantly slows drying, especially for hanging baskets.
Should you move plants out of direct sunlight while you're away?
Lowering temperature and light exposure slows evaporation so move indoor plants away from direct sunlight or windowsills and move outdoor pots into partial shade or sheltered areas to significantly extend how long soil retains moisture.
4. Protect containers and hanging baskets
Pots and baskets dry out faster than ground soil due to increased airflow and limited soil volume. Moving them into shaded areas and grouping them together can help to reduce moisture loss.
5. Deep water your plants before you leave
Before travelling, give all plants a thorough, deep watering so that moisture reaches well below the surface and into the full root zone. This helps plants access water gradually over several days and reduces the risk of the drying out too quickly.
It’s best to water slowly and evenly at the base of the plant, allowing the soil to fully absorb moisture rather than letting it run off. Avoid watering just the surface, as this only wets the top layer and dries out quickly in warm conditions. Deep watering can also help to reduce plant stress, giving them a stronger buffer while you’re away.
6. Group plants together to retain moisture
Grouping plants together is a simple but effective way to help reduce water loss while you’re on holiday. When plants are placed close together, they create a small shared environment with high humidity and less airflow, which slows down evaporation from both soil and leaves.
This method is especially useful for patio containers, where conditions can become dry quickly. Grouping also helps shade the soil surface slightly, keeping temperatures lower and moisture levels more stable.
If you're rearranging your space before a trip, practical containers can keep everything organised. Check out our blog on picking the right garden pots for your plants!
Best Ways to Water indoor plants while on Holiday
Indoor plants are generally easier to manage, but still benefit from steady water supply if you’re away for a few days.
Try the below tips to keep your houseplants thriving while you’re away!
1. Water houseplants thoroughly before you leave
Before going away, a practical way to ensure your houseplants are fully hydrated is to place them in the bath or a large sink and water them thoroughly. This can be done by either watering each plant overhead or adding a shallow layer of water in the bath and allowing the pots to absorb moisture from the bottom. This allows you to soak multiple plants at once.
The key to adding a shallow layer of water is to ensure it only reaches the base of the pots. This allows the soil to draw up moisture gradually without the plant sitting in overly wet conditions, which can lead to root rot.
After watering, let excess water drain fully, this ensures the soil is evenly moist and able to sustain the plant for longer, while still keeping roots healthy and oxygenated.
2. Use self watering spikes for indoor plants
When it comes to watering indoor plants whilst away, self watering spikes or globes are a simple way to water your plants whilst away on holiday. They slowly release water into the soil as it dries, helping maintain steady moisture levels without daily attention.
This makes them useful for watering plants whilst away, especially for tropical and moisture living houseplants that struggle with dry, indoor conditions. They’re also a practical, low cost alternative to full automatic plant watering systems for short trips.
For best results combine with other methods to keep soil moist in hot weather, such as rescuing light exposure and grouping plants together.
3. Try a wick watering systems for house plants
A wick watering system is a simple option for watering indoor plants while away and managing holiday plant care. It uses a wick to draw water from a reservoir into the soil, keeping moisture levels steady while you’re gone.
How wick watering systems work
A wick (a piece of synthetic yarn or rope) connects a water container to the plant pot, slowly supplying moisture to the roots as needed
How do wick watering systems benefit plants whilst away on holiday?
Wick watering systems are a great low-cost alternative to automatic plant watering systems, helping to maintain consistent moisture and reducing evaporation. It is also useful for keeping soil moist in hot weather and can extend how long plants cope without water during short trips.
4. Buy self watering pots for consistent moisture
Self watering pots are a simple option for keeping your plants watered while away, especially for longer holidays. They have a built-in reservoir that supplies moisture to the soil as needed, helping keep water levels consistent.
This reduces both over- and under watering and works well as part of automatic plant watering systems for indoor plants.
Drought-tolerant plants (low maintenance options)
Choosing the right plants reduces how much watering is needed in the first place. Drought tolerant plants are a great option and they’re adapted to survive with minimal water once established.
Popular drought-tolerant options:
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Lavender (great for sunny gardens)
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Currently 3 for £20!Succulents (store water in leaves)
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Rosemary (hardy and low maintenance)
How Long Can Plants Survive Without Water?
How long a plant can go without water depends on the plant type, soil and environment, but we suggest:
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Most houseplants can tolerate around 1 week or more with proper preparation
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Outdoor containers may last a few days in warm weather
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Garden beds retain moisture longer, especially when mulched
Matching The Right Set Up To Your Holiday
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2-4 days: Deep watering and reposition plants
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Up to 1 week: add watering spikes or wick systems
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1-2+ weeks: irrigation systems or self watering pots
For most homes combining methods works best.
Common Mistakes When Watering Plants Before a Holiday
Over watering before leaving
Excess water can deprive roots of oxygen and lead to root rot, one of the most common causes of plant decline.
Leaving plants in full sun
High light and heat increase transpiration, causing plants to lose water more quickly.
Overlooking high maintenance plants
Vegetables, seedlings and hanging baskets typically require more frequent watering and may need additional support systems.
How to revive wilting plants
Coming home to wilted plants after a hot spell or holiday doesn't always mean they're beyond saving. In many cases, wilting is simply a stress response to water loss, heat or poor drainage, and plants can often recover with the right care.
1. Check the soil before draining
Start by feeling the soil 2-3 cm below the surface.
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Dry and crumbly soil: the plant is likely under watered
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Wet, soggy and cold soil: the plant may be over watered or suffering from poor drainage.
Sometimes you’ll even see a mix of symptoms, dry soil with wilted leaves is a classic
dehydration case, while wet soil with wilting often points to root stress.
2. The soil is dry
Dry soil and wilted leaves usually mean the plant has lost too much moisture and can no longer maintain structure in its leaves and stems.
Water the plant slowly and thoroughly until water begins to drain from the bottom of the pot. If the soil is really dry it may initially repel the water, take your tame watering in stages rather than all at once.
For very dry plants bottom watering can help. Place the plant in a container of shallow water for 15 to 20 minutes so the soil can rehydrate evenly from below.
Once watered, move the plant out of direct sunlight for 24 to 48 hours to reduce any further water loss.
3. If the soil is wet
If the soil feels wet but the leaves are wilting, the issue is usually over watering or poor drainage. In this situation the roots become stressed due to lack of oxygen. In this case avoid watering the plant and ensure the plant isn't sitting in excess water, and check that drainage holes are not blocked.
If the soil is heavily saturated, gently remove the plant from the pot and inspect the roots. Healthy roots should be firm and light in colour while damaged roots will appear dark, soft and mushy and may need trimming. Re-potting into fresh, well draining soil can help to reset the conditions.
4. Let the plant recover
Place the plant in bright indirect sunlight and avoid fertilising until fully recovered. Don't rush pruning as wilting leaves may take time to recover and still help the plant regain strength. Recovery may take a few hours to several days depending on the stress level, but flexible stems usually indicate the plant will bounce back.
Plant watering FAQs
How can I water plants while on holiday without help?
Self watering solutions like spikes or wick systems provide steady water supply without needing someone to visit.
What is the best watering system for a two week holiday?
A drip irrigation system is the most reliable option, providing consistent moisture over longer periods.
Can plants survive 10-14 days without water?
Many houseplants can survive around a week or more if prepared properly, but outdoor plants, especially in pots, usually need additional watering support.
Are drought tolerant plants completely maintenance free?
No, while they require less water, they still need watering during establishment and occasional deep watering during dry periods.
Should I water plants right before leaving for my holiday?
Yes, but thoroughly and evenly. Soil should be moist, not waterlogged, to avoid root damage.
How to keep soil moist in hot weather?
Water deeply rather than lightly, apply mulch to reduce evaporation, and move plants into partial shade where possible. Grouping pots together and using water-retaining soil or automatic plant watering systems can also help keep soil moist for longer during hot weather.
Keeping plants hydrated while you're away is about working with how plants naturally use water. By combining a proper watering technique, smart watering systems and drought tolerant plant choices, you can leave with confidence and return to healthy, thriving plants!