How to Keep your Houseplants Alive while you’re Away
You finally found your rhythm with your plants. They’re growing new leaves, looking lush and then work calls. Another trip. You pack your bags, glance at the fiddle leaf in the corner and wonder if it’ll survive until you’re back.
Keeping plants alive when you travel a lot can feel impossible. Most houseplants thrive on consistency. When watering routines get chaotic, they let you know with droopy leaves, dry soil and sometimes no recovery at all. But don’t worry! With a few smart tweaks, you can make sure your plants stay healthy even when you’re not home.
Why Travel is Tough on Plants
Plants rely on balance: light, moisture and air. When you leave for several days, that balance gets thrown off. The air indoors dries out faster, sunlight patterns shift and most importantly, no one is there to water on schedule.
Even missing one watering can be stressful for plants that love moisture, like ferns or calatheas. On the other hand, giving too much water before you leave can cause roots to rot. Finding the middle ground is tricky without help.
Popular “Hacks” that Don’t Always Work
Everyone’s tried a travel trick at some point:
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Setting pots in the bathtub with a bit of water.
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Sticking glass globes or inverted bottles in the soil.
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Asking a friend or neighbor to “just water once.”
These can work for a few days, but they’re unpredictable. Some plants take in too much water, others too little. The bathtub can leave roots sitting in stagnant water and water globes often clog or flood the soil. Even the most reliable friend can forget a day.
If you travel often, you need a system that takes human error out of the equation.
The Self-Watering Solution
A self-watering planter does exactly what it sounds like: it lets your plant draw water when it needs it. These planters have a hidden reservoir at the bottom that stores water, and a wick or liner that moves moisture upward into the soil through natural capillary action.
Instead of soaking the roots, the planter delivers a slow, steady supply of water. This keeps the soil evenly moist for days or even weeks. It’s one of the simplest and most reliable ways to care for plants when you’re busy or away.
Why Tendril is Perfect for Frequent Travelers
Tendril’s self-watering system takes that idea and turns it into something beautiful. Instead of plastic tubes or clunky designs, each planter is made from hand-finished ceramic with clean lines and neutral tones that blend into any modern home.
Inside, the function is just as thoughtful. A natural wick connects the water reservoir to the soil, keeping moisture consistent without overwatering. The ceramic itself helps regulate humidity around the roots, while a vertical air chamber encourages healthy root growth.
All of this means you can fill the reservoir, head out for your week-long trip, and come back to a happy, hydrated plant. No wilted leaves. No guilt. Just quiet confidence that your setup works as well as it looks.
Before you Leave: A Quick Checklist
To give your plants the best chance while you’re away:
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Top up the reservoir. Make sure your Tendril planter is filled before you leave.
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Move plants out of direct sun. Less sunlight means slower water loss.
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Group them together. Plants naturally create a small humid microclimate.
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Trim dead or yellowing leaves. This helps the plant focus its energy on staying healthy.
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Do a quick check of your wicks and liners. Make sure nothing is clogged or dry before you go.
These simple steps make a big difference, especially for longer trips.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to choose between your career and your houseplants. With a well-designed self-watering system like Tendril’s, you can travel without worry and still come home to thriving greenery. Your plants will be fine. Maybe even better than before.
FAQs
Q. How long can plants go without water in a self-watering planter?
It depends on the plant type, indoor climate and pot size. With a full reservoir, most small to medium houseplants in a Tendril planter can stay hydrated for 7 to 10 days. Some hardy varieties, like snake plants or pothos, can go even longer.
Q. Should I water the plant from the top before leaving?
You don’t need to. Just make sure the soil is evenly moist and the reservoir is filled. Overwatering before you leave can saturate the soil too much and block airflow to the roots.
Q. Can I use a self-watering planter for all plant types?
Most tropical and foliage plants love consistent moisture, so they’re perfect candidates. Succulents and cacti prefer dry soil, so a traditional pot works better for them.
Q. What if I’m gone for more than two weeks?
You can move your plants to a slightly cooler, shaded area to reduce water loss. For longer trips, ask someone to refill the reservoir midway through. The good news is that with a system like Tendril’s, maintenance is simple. No messy re-potting or guesswork.
Q. Do self-watering planters prevent overwatering?
Yes. Because the wick only delivers as much water as the soil needs, it’s far less likely to cause root rot than watering from above. The airflow within Tendril’s design also helps keep roots oxygenated.
