How to Keep your Plants Watered on Vacation
Summer vacations are officially in full swing this weekend! If you’re planning to be out of town for an extended amount of time, one thing you have to consider are your plants! How will they survive without water while you’re gone?
There’s nothing worse than coming home from a relaxing vacation only to find your beloved plants wilted, parched, and begging for mercy. Believe me, I’ve been there—and it’s not pretty. But the good news is, with just a little planning (and a few clever tricks), your garden can stay lush and hydrated while you're off sipping sweet tea somewhere on the beach (or golf course, in my case).
How to keep Plants Watered while on vacation
Here are a few of my favorite tried-and-true ways to keep your plants watered while you're away!
Set Soaker Hoses on a Timer – Set It and Forget It
If you’ve got garden beds or containers grouped together, a soaker hose connected to a timer is your new best friend. I love using these in our flower beds and around the veggie garden. Soaker hoses slowly release water right at the soil line, which means less evaporation and more moisture where your plants actually need it—at the roots.
Set your timer to water early in the morning (around 6 or 7 a.m. is perfect) and let the hose do the heavy lifting while you’re gone. It’s low-effort, super efficient, and a total lifesaver during hot Southern summers.
My Hands-off Watering Essentials
Water Bags—These water bags are bigger than me!
Moisture Meter (to test soil moistness when you return!)
Put out Water Bags – Especially for Young Trees & Shrubs
For newly planted trees or larger shrubs, water bags are a wonderful option. You’ve probably seen these donut-shaped or upright bags wrapped around trunks—they slowly drip water into the soil over several hours.
We used these water bags so much last summer when installing at our clients gardens. This weekend they are expecting temps in the 90's. These water bags are life saver for trees and shrubs...you have to keep them filled once every 3-5 days.
These are fantastic for keeping roots moist during extended absences, and they’re reusable too. Just fill them up before you leave and let them work their magic. No stress, no wilted leaves, just happy plants when you return.
When I posted this on Instagram, someone said they like to fill up a five gallon bucket with a small hole drilled in the bottom and let water slowly trickle out. I think that is a fabulous idea and a great money saving tip!
Add Saucers Under all Containers
This one’s for all my fellow container garden lovers—adding a saucer underneath your pots can help keep soil moist just a little longer. It’s not a long-term solution by itself, but it does slow down evaporation and gives your plants a little reservoir to sip from while you're away.
Tip: Water your containers deeply before you leave (until you see water running out the bottom), then top off the saucers. If possible, move pots into a shaded area so they don’t dry out as quickly in the sun.
Stick Watering Globes in the Soil
If you’re heading out of town for just a few days, glass (or plastic) watering bulbs are a great option—especially for your indoor plants or smaller patio containers. Just fill them with water and stick the stem down into the soil. The water slowly releases as the soil dries out, giving your plant a steady sip while you’re away. I love that they’re functional and add a little charm to your pots. For longer trips, pair them with a saucer to stretch the moisture even further!
Bonus Tip: Use my Secret Sauce!
Don’t forget to add a bit of my “Secret Sauce” to your plants before you leave! This will help them stay happy and thriving all vacation long!
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