5 houseplant care tips for frequent travelers
What's the story
Traveling often can prove to be a hurdle in taking care of houseplants. But, with a few simple tricks, you can make sure your plants are happy and healthy even when you're not home. These tips are all practical solutions that take little effort and keep your plants healthy. Whether you are away for a weekend or weeks, here's how you can keep your green companions alive without any fuss.
Plant selection
Choose low-maintenance plants
Choose houseplants that are low-maintenance and can survive neglect. Succulents, snake plants, and pothos are great options as they survive droughts and low light conditions. These plants are the perfect companions for travelers since they don't require frequent watering or constant attention. They make ideal companions for the always-on-the-go.
Watering solution
Use self-watering pots
Self-watering pots keep your plants hydrated while you are away. These pots come with a reservoir at the bottom that lets the plant absorb water as required through capillary action. This way, your plants get enough moisture without being overwatered, which may lead to root rot and death, keeping them healthy in your absence.
Microclimate creation
Group plants together
Placing houseplants close to each other creates a microclimate with more humidity. Most indoor plants thrive well in high humidity and it also helps retain moisture in the air around them, so that they don't need to be watered as often. Plus, when plants are grouped together, it's easier to take care of them communally than separately.
Light management
Utilize automatic timers for grow lights
If natural light isn't enough for your home while you're out, you could use automatic timers with grow lights. Set these timers so that they mimic natural daylight cycles by turning on and off at certain times every day. This way, your plants get the right amount of light exposure, even if you can't manually control lighting conditions yourself.
Care delegation
Delegate plant care responsibilities
Enlist the help of a friend or neighbor who can check on your houseplants periodically during extended trips. Provide clear instructions regarding watering schedules and any specific care requirements unique to each plant type in advance, so they know exactly what needs doing while you're gone. This way, both parties feel confident about maintaining healthy greenery until return.