Going on holiday should feel like unplugging from the world. And yet, if you have plants at home — even more so if you have a lot of them — there’s a small voice that pipes up just as you zip your suitcase shut: “and who’s going to water them?”
It’s a real worry, especially in summer. With the heatwaves Spain is living through this year, a terrace or a living room full of plants can go from lush to parched in just a few days without water. But here’s the good news: leaving your plants on their own for a few days — or a few weeks — doesn’t have to end in drama.
At Planteka we’ve spent years helping our community leave home with peace of mind. Here’s our complete guide: from DIY tricks you can set up in ten minutes to what to do when the trip is long and you’d rather not take the risk.
Going away and would rather not gamble? In Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, we look after your plants while you travel — at home or at our plant hotel. Book your plant sitting here. And if you’d rather set it up yourself, read on 👇
Before you leave: set the stage
Half the work happens before you walk out the door. A few simple gestures dramatically extend how long your plants can fend for themselves:
Water deeply the day you leave. Not a quick splash, but a proper soak, until the substrate is thoroughly saturated and water drains from the bottom. That way your plants start from their fullest reserve.
Move them out of direct sun. Pull plants away from the brightest windows and full-sun balconies. High temperatures and direct light dry the substrate at speed; a few metres inward, or into partial shade, makes an enormous difference to how long the moisture lasts.
Mulch the soil. A layer of bark, coconut fibre or even clay over the surface of the substrate cuts evaporation and holds moisture for longer. It’s the same principle that protects a forest floor.
The plant that best survives your holiday isn’t the toughest one — it’s the best prepared. Ten minutes before you head out the door are worth more than any last-minute trick.
DIY watering systems: solutions for 3 to 10 days
For short breaks or a week away, there’s no need to buy anything sophisticated. These homemade methods work surprisingly well:
The upside-down bottle
The old classic — and for good reason. Make a few small holes in the cap of a plastic bottle, fill it with water and plant it upside down in the substrate. The water releases slowly as the soil needs it. The bigger the bottle, the more days it waters for you.
Our tip: test it a few days before you leave. The flow depends on the size of the holes and the type of substrate, so it’s worth checking that it neither empties in an afternoon nor clogs up.
Ollas (clay irrigation pots)
An ancient and rather elegant method. An olla is an unglazed clay vessel buried in the pot or bed and filled with water: the porous clay lets moisture seep out very slowly, straight to the roots, only when the soil is dry. It’s about as efficient as it gets and barely evaporates.
The wicking method (capillary action)
Ideal if you have several plants together. Place a bucket of water higher than the pots and run a cotton rope from the water to the substrate of each plant. The rope draws water up by capillary action and feeds it to the soil. Cheap, silent and very reliable.
The bathtub trick
For a group of indoor plants: spread a wet towel in the bath or sink, sit the pots on top (no saucers) and leave the blinds down. The plants absorb moisture from the towel from below, and the closed, cool room reduces their thirst. They’ll hold out close to a week this way.
Group your plants: the microclimate that takes care of itself
This is probably the most underrated tip. Cluster all your plants into one corner, the tighter the better. As they transpire, they release humidity, and together they create a small humid microclimate that benefits them all. They shade one another and share the vapour-rich air.
If that corner is also the coolest, least sunny spot in the house — a bathroom with a bit of light is perfect — you’ll have created the best possible refuge without spending a cent.
If you have a terrace or balcony: stepping up to self-watering
DIY methods are great for indoors and for short breaks. But a full-sun terrace in the middle of August is another league: the heat evaporates water faster than a bottle can keep up. That’s when it’s worth levelling up.
A drip irrigation timer. For terraces with several pots, a drip system on a timer is the most robust solution. It delivers exactly the right amount, at the time you choose (ideally at dawn or dusk), without you needing to be there.
If you need help setting up an automatic watering system for your terrace plants, we help you with our plant care services in Barcelona, Madrid & Valencia.
Self-watering pots. Our favourite option for everyday life and for absences alike. A sub-irrigation self-watering system — like that of Lechuza, which we work with at Planteka — has a water reservoir in the base that the plant draws from by capillary action, taking exactly what it needs. It reduces evaporation, spaces out waterings and buys you days of autonomy. That said, for a long absence under 40°C, not even the best reservoir does it all alone: it’s a support, not a miracle.
No watering system, however good, covers three weeks of August at 40°C with no one keeping an eye on things. Technology gives you days; a person you trust gives you peace of mind.
When the trip is long: plant sitting and plant hotel
There comes a point — a two- or three-week trip, a large collection, delicate plants you’re attached to — where no DIY trick is enough. That’s what we’re here for.
At Planteka we look after your plants while you switch off, in two ways:
- Plant sitting at home: we come to your place while you’re away and water, check and care for your plants, so you find them exactly as you left them (or better). In Barcelona, Madrid & Valencia, this service is run by trusted members of our own community — people who love plants as much as you do.
- Plant hotel: you bring your plants to us and we care for them in our space during your holiday, with the light, watering and attention each one needs. You head off; they stay in good hands.
It’s the same professional care as our Plant Doctor service, designed so that going on holiday doesn’t mean choosing between your break and your plants.
Find out about the plant sitting and plant hotel service [here], or [write to us] with any questions about caring for your plants in summer. In August the spots disappear as fast as the people do, so book early.
FAQ
How many days can plants go without watering? It depends on the plant, the pot and the heat, but as a guide: with a good soak beforehand and plants grouped in the shade, most indoor plants last 5 to 7 days — succulents and cacti, far longer. With a DIY system (bottle, wick, ollas) you can reach 10 days; for anything longer, a self-watering setup or someone to care for them is the way to go.
Does the upside-down bottle trick really work? Yes, for short breaks. It’s a simple slow drip that keeps the soil moist for a few days. The key is to test it before you leave so you can adjust the hole size, since the flow varies with the substrate. For long absences or full-sun terraces, it falls short.
What do I do with my terrace plants if I’m away in August? A full-sun terrace in August is the most demanding case. The ideal is a drip irrigation timer or self-watering pots, and even then, for long trips, a plant sitter who drops by to check on them. Planteka offers that service in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, plus the plant hotel if you’d rather leave them with us.
Is it better to leave plants in the sun or the shade when I go away? In shade or partial light, always. Direct sun and heat dry the substrate much faster and stress the plant. Move them away from very sunny windows and group them in the coolest corner of the house while you’re gone.
What does Planteka’s plant sitting service involve? We care for your plants while you travel — either at home (we come to water and check on them) or as a plant hotel (you bring them to our space). Do write to us in advance, especially in peak summer season.
