Between my plants and me, there is a solid bond in which I nurture them with care, and they give me joy. After growing all the indoors with huge attention, patience, and effort, you cannot blame me if I am worried when leaving them for a couple of days. I know you all feel the same about this by being indoor gardening enthusiasts.
It is true that our botanical companions do not require a daily food supply, but they need water to survive. So, what is the best indoor plant watering solution when going on travel? I have found drip and wicking systems to be the most lucrative, along with factory-made solutions.
However, there are more. I detail all these with advantages and disadvantages. Let’s dive into the details.
Must-consider Factors in Watering Indoor Plants While You Are Away
Whatever watering method you select, you must consider the following factors to choose a watering system for your indoor plants during your voyage.
- The water requirement varies from plant to plant. Depending on the plant type, you have to select the schedule and implement the watering method’s mechanism.
- Indoor temperature and humidity impact the water use rate. If your house’s indoor temperature is 75°F and humidity is around 40%, the soil evaporates quickly, demanding more frequent watering.
- The pot’s construction material also influences the watering need. For example, the terracotta pots evaporate more water, increasing the watering need.
- It is essential that you check the soil’s compaction level and drainage condition. It will ensure no waterlogging or damage to the plants.
- In the calculation of watering requirement, you must consider plant size and the growth rate.
5 Best Indoor Plant Watering Solution When Going on Travel
Check out the following watering processes, along with the pros and cons.
Water Wicking Method
Here is the stepwise guide to implementing this watering method when you are travelling.
Step 01: Arrange a plastic or glass-made container and a cotton-made string. You must ensure that the cotton string’s length is appropriate enough to touch the soil and the water container.
Step 02: I suggest you place the already arranged container on a hard and even surface just beside the plant’s container. It would be better if you could manage an elevated platform for the water container.
Step 03: Fill the empty container with water. Then, place the string appropriately, one end touching the water container’s bottom, and insert the other end into the root nearby soil.
Step 04: Test how the system works. I want to inform you that a longer string transfers more water than a shorter string. So, choose the string length that fits your plant’s watering need, room temperature and humidity, the pot’s construction material, etc.
Pros
- Low-cost and very simple to do.
- It ensures consistent moisture.
- Water wicking is suitable for every type of plant.
- There is no need for special arrangements like electricity, pump, etc.
Cons
- It supplies limited water.
- The continuous supply can contribute to root damage.
Drip Watering System
The following is the stepwise assembly process using a drip watering system. This DIY method is very easy to implement.
Step 01: Arrange the required items like plastic bottles, nails, thin tubes, bamboo skewers, etc. You must ensure that the plastic bottle’s size is appropriate enough to meet water supply needs during your absence.
Step 02: Create some holes using the nails at the bottom of the bottle. Depending on the plant type, plant size, pot’s construction material, indoor temperature, humidity, etc., select the hole numbers. You should note that the more holes, the more water supply.
Step 03: If you have only one plant, you can place the container inside the pot and fill it with water. But, if you have more plants, you cut the already arranged thin tubes as per the required length- from the hole to the plant container’s soil.
Step 04: Insert the bamboo screws into the soil, leaving a portion outside of the soil. This portion will hold the tube in its position.
Step 05: Install the tube at the plant container end using bamboo screws. Here, you need to make sure that the tube’s opening does not touch the plant body or root.
Step 06: Now, fill the plastic bottle with water and monitor the system’s performance.
Pros
- Automated consistent water supply.
- It is highly suitable if you have multiple plants.
- There is even water distribution and nearly zero water wastage.
- Easy DIY procedure.
Cons
- It accommodates the risk of overwatering.
- Limited watering capacity after a few days. The plastic bottle needs to be filled again.
Incorporating Greenhouse Method
Well, this will work if your travel is short. I have tried it and found the plants are okay after three days of absence. The following are the steps to do this.
Step 01: Water the plant appropriately. Make all the leaves and plant bodies wet.
Step 02: Now, place a large transparent plastic bag over the plant.
Step 03: Use zip ties to secure the plastic bag’s position. Fix the plastic bag at the bottom of the pot using the ties. You have to make sure that no air penetrates the in-bag environment.
Step 04: Place the plant near the window so that it receives sunlight.
Pros
- Very easy to do. It only requires a few minutes.
- Zero-cost solution.
- It also protects the plant from insects.
Cons
- This watering technique is suitable only for a few days.
- It hosts an overheating risk.
- It’s not durable at all.
Watering through Factory-made Solutions
If you have no time to set up the watering system or do not want to put the effort into it, I have a great solution for you. You have to purchase the factory-made automated watering system. These setups are equipped with a moisture measuring system and controllers that you can use to schedule the watering.
Almost each of these factory-made irrigation systems supplies water to multiple plants. I highly recommend these if you are going for a long vacation. In this case, you must connect the respective tank with a continuous water supply facility using a valve. When the machine’s container water level decreases, the valve will open, allowing fresh water to be inserted.
Some must-mention automated commercial watering facilities are Kollea Reliable Automatic Self Watering System, sPlant LCD Automatic Drip Irrigation System, etc. If you are looking for a watering system that you can control remotely, you can try RainPoint WiFi Automatic Watering System.
Pros
- This method is highly suitable for your long voyages.
- There is no chance of overwatering as it continuously monitors the moisture level.
- You can control it remotely.
- No effort is required from your end.
Cons
- You have to spend money. The average price of a high-quality automated watering system ranges from $25-$70, depending on the setup’s capability.
- If there is any technical malfunction, your plants will die.
Installing Terracotta Spikes
This is the best and easiest watering solution for indoor plants when you are travelling. I must inform you that this method is applicable for short travel: 1- 3 days.
In this case, you have to purchase terracotta spikes from the nearby shop that sells gardening items. Insert the terracotta spike into the pot’s soil and place a plastic bottle filled with water inside the spike’s opening.
Due to the slow seepage characteristic, the terracotta spike will transfer water very slowly, keeping the soil moist enough but preventing water logging.
Pros
- Cost-effective solution.
- It does not require that much effort from your end.
- You can use those terracotta spikes multiple times.
Cons
- This watering technique is applicable for only a shorter time.
- You might not find any terracotta spikes in your area.
Final Words
I hope that my advice on the best indoor plant watering solution when going on travel will help you substantially. You can select one water method from the mentions by considering your travel duration, indoor temperature and humidity, plant size, plant growth rate, pot’s construction material, etc.
Finally, I strongly recommend you use a backup solution if you use a factory-made automated irrigation system. The reason is that the plants will die if the machine fails to function properly in your absence. In this case, the backup watering system will keep them alive.
However, it is always better to arrange for someone to inspect the situation once a week.
