Concerned about leaving your indoor plants unattended during your holiday? Here’s some good news! Winter is an opportune time to travel, considering that most houseplants tend to have slower growth rates at this time of year, making excessive watering unnecessary. Overwatering when plants are in a dormant phase can lead to poor outcomes, so taking a holiday during this time could actually be advantageous for your green companions.
How much should you water your plants before you go on holiday in winter?
Before heading off for a week-long vacation, consider providing your plants with some light watering. I recommend steering clear of leaving plants in a pool of chilly water during the current season, and I definitely wouldn’t try the ‘ice cube trick’ that some blogs might suggest! Though it might seem like a good way to slowly release water into your plant’s soil over time, their roots may suffer from cold shock, which can cause irreparable damage.
People often discover that larger plant varieties require less attention, and the soil won’t dry out as swiftly during the months of active growing. If you’re thinking about buying new plants, but have a holiday coming up – go big or go home!
Fertilising winter plants
When it comes to fertilisation, it’s essential to feed plants only during their active growth phase, typically starting from late April onward. Keep in mind that certain tropical houseplants might currently be in a dormant state, so allow them to rest; this isn’t the season for a lavish four-course meal! You can return to their regular feeding schedule once their dormancy period ends.
What if your plants require special care?
If you’re a bit more of a plant geek and have more specialist specimens which need grow lights and heat, then it might be advisable to find a houseplant sitter for the duration of your holiday. It could be a trusted friend, family member or neighbour who checks in every other day to conduct a quick welfare check and water where needed. The sitter may also be able to keep you updated by video, as you’ll no doubt be missing your cherished plants whilst you’re on that beach!
Extra tips
Should you opt for a holiday, it’s likely that you won’t leave your heating running. In this case, your houseplants might benefit from being grouped together to provide a bit of additional warmth. Similarly, if you require a neighbour or a fellow plant enthusiast to monitor them, it will be more convenient, as they won’t be dashing around your home trying to make sure they find all your plants.
Lastly, relish your holiday and – if you’re off somewhere exotic – seize the chance to observe houseplants in their native surroundings. You might even gather inspiration for a few new plant acquisitions upon your return!
Michael has been involved with gardening and plants since he was just five years old. He is a self-professed Plant Geek, and was listed in the Sunday Times top 20 most influential people in the gardening world, thanks to his plant hunter role at Thompson & Morgan.
Michael was responsible for new plant introductions such as the Egg and Chips plant and the FuchsiaBerry and keeps busy travelling the world in search of new plants as well as lecturing worldwide, including stints in Japan. He is very active on social media – so why not give him a follow at @mr_plantgeek or Facebook – and writes a plant-focused Substack called Grow This, Not That.
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