Summer vacation! How to keep your houseplants alive while you're away.

Summer vacation is finally here! While you're packing your bags and looking forward to the beach or mountain air, there's a small green problem: Who will take care of your houseplants? Don't worry – with the right preparation, your green roommates can survive two or three weeks without you.

1. Water and care for all plants thoroughly once more

Water your plants thoroughly the day before you leave. Make sure to remove any excess water from the saucer – waterlogging is more dangerous than a few days of dryness. Also, check your plant's leaves carefully to ensure they are healthy when you leave.
Extra tip: Thirsty plants like ferns or peace lilies can be placed together in a large bowl with some water so they can drink from below.

2. The right location makes all the difference
The brighter the spot, the faster the soil dries out. Move your plants a little further away from the window to reduce water consumption.
For very light-loving species (e.g., cacti), you can, for example, draw the curtains halfway so they still get light but don't dry out.

3. Conserve moisture – small tricks with a big impact

- Hydroculture feeling: Place a layer of moist expanded clay pebbles or gravel in the cachepot and place the inner pot on top. This ensures higher humidity.
- Mini greenhouse: You can put small plants in clear plastic bags (with a few air holes) – this creates a humid climate.
- Mulching: Cover the soil with moss, coconut fibers, or bark mulch. This can slow down drying.

4. DIY irrigation systems
If you don't have a plant sitter, there are self-watering tricks:
- Thread trick: Hang a cotton thread from a water container into the soil; the water then slowly draws through the thread into the substrate.
- Water storage spheres: Clay spheres or special watering spheres release the right amount of moisture to your plant over several days.
- PET bottle trick: Fill a small plastic bottle with water, drill a small hole in the lid, and stick it upside down into the soil.

5. Longer absence? Get help
If you're away for more than two weeks, a plant sitter is worth gold – someone who checks in once a week.

Extra tip: It's best to create a small care guide with a photo for each plant so there are no watering mishaps.

6. After the vacation – gently back to routine
When you come home, don't immediately water liters! First, check how dry your plant's soil is. Some plants don't like it when they are suddenly drowned after a dry spell. It's better to water in stages and let them regenerate for a few days.

With a little planning and a few clever tricks, your plants don't have to suffer from your summer absence. This way, you can enjoy your vacation relaxed – and return to a home full of healthy, green friends.