We all know the feeling.
Passport packed. Airport pint secured. Out of office on. Mentally checked out somewhere between Belfast International and the first sangria.
But while you’re off living your best life, your plants are still sitting at home wondering why the heating’s off, the curtains are shut and nobody’s been near them in 6 days.
Summer holidays can be surprisingly stressful for houseplants. Changes in temperature, direct sunlight, dry indoor heat and inconsistent watering are some of the biggest causes of drooping, yellowing and crispy leaves during the warmer months.
So before you disappear off to the sun, here’s our Memento-approved guide to keeping your leafy housemates alive and thriving while you’re away.
1 – Pre-Drinks
Water your plants properly before you go
And by properly, we mean a deep soak, not throwing half a cup of water into the pot in a panic after having an “oh shit… the bloody plants!” moment while waiting on the taxi to the airport.
A day before you travel, give your plants a thorough watering and allow excess water to drain away fully. Plants absorb moisture much more effectively when watered deeply rather than little and often.
For larger plants, make sure the soil is evenly moist all the way through the pot, especially during hotter weather.
Think 6am “pints at The Lagan Bar”, not “shots at 2am”.
2 - Don’t get burnt!
Move plants away from harsh direct sunlight
A lot of common houseplants love bright conditions, but intense direct summer sun through glass can scorch leaves surprisingly quickly especially if a room heats up while you’re away.
Before travelling:
- Move delicate leafy plants slightly back from windows
- Avoid south-facing direct afternoon sun
- Leave plants in bright, indirect light where possible
Leafy plants like Monsteras, Peace Lilies, Calatheas and Ferns etc are especially prone to sun scorch.
Like a ginger on holiday, your plant won’t tan… just burn!
3 - Avoid any drama
Ask a friend for ‘high maintenance’ plants
Some plants are absolutely fine left alone for several days. Others get on like complete divas if you miss one watering.
The usual suspects:
- Calatheas
- Maidenhair Ferns
- Carnivorous plants
- Larger thirsty tropical plants
For fussier plants, it’s worth asking a reliable friend, neighbour or family member to check in while you’re away.
Just maybe choose wisely.
Package holidays you can trust. Random plant sitters…not so much!
4 - Drink in Moderation
Give thirstier plants a little backup plan
For plants that dry out quickly, placing them in a shallow tray, sink or bath with a small amount of water can help maintain moisture levels while you’re away.
The key word here is shallow. You don’t want plants sitting fully submerged in water for days, as this can cause root rot. The goal is simply to allow the soil to draw up moisture gradually if needed.
This works particularly well for:
- Ferns
- Peace Lilies
- Smaller tropical plants
- Plants in terracotta pots
However, not floating about in the water. Just enough to dip their roots in & keep them ticking over.
5 - Readjusting takes time
Don’t shock your plants when you return home
One of the biggest mistakes people make is immediately dragging plants back into full sunlight and drowning them in water the second they get home.
After several days in different conditions, plants often need time to readjust.
When you return:
- Check the soil moisture first
- Gradually reintroduce brighter light
- Remove any damaged leaves
- Resume normal watering slowly
Plants like sudden change about as much as we like landing back to Belfast weather after a week in the sun.
Plants are far more resilient than people think. Most don’t need complicated gadgets, expensive watering systems or a neighbour moving into your house while you’re in Tenerife.
A little preparation before you leave can make all the difference.
And if all else fails… well you can always pop in and we’ll sort you out with a replacement!
