News | International
13 Dec 2024 0:40
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > International

    Expert advice on how to prepare your indoor plants if you are going away over Christmas

    If you're abandoning indoor plants for a few weeks over summer, and don't have anyone to water them, don't fear. Experts say there are things you can do ensure they survive in your absence.


    If you're heading back to your parents' house over Christmas or packing your bags for a beach getaway there can be a lot to organise.  

    The dog is coming with you, the fridge has been cleared out, but what about the house plants?

    If you're abandoning them for a few weeks over summer, and don't have anyone to water them, don't fear.

    Experts say there are things you can do ensure they survive in your absence.

    Leave your plants hydrated 

    Horticulturalist Tamara Campbell is the owner of an indoor plant store in Naarm/Melbourne, which she leaves for two weeks over summer. 

    She says you should "start preparing [plants] and making sure that they're really hydrated before you go away".

    Her prep is well under way already. Ms Campbell says she's been giving plants a "drench" by placing them in big containers, pouring water over them and leaving them to absorb it.

    "Sometimes I'll leave it for two hours, sometimes I'll leave it overnight," depending on how thirsty the plant seems.

    Ms Campbell checks that all her plants are hydrated in the weeks leading up and waters them again the day before locking up.

    To check they're hydrated "stick your finger in the soil and feel that it's damp" and dehydrated plants will often have discoloured or limp leaves, she says.

    This method gets her plants "through two weeks, regardless of how much heat we get".

    Consider the pot and potting mix 

    Greg Moore is a senior research associate at the University of Melbourne with an interest in horticultural plant science, revegetation and ecology.

    He says for plants to last a while without care it's important to ensure they are in an appropriate size of pot.

    If a plant is in a pot that's too small, Dr Moore says, "you have a supply and demand situation" where the plant needs more water than the amount of soil can hold, and a small pot can also get very warm quickly making the plant thirstier.

    If your plants need , you could also consider , which use a wicking system to provide water to plants' roots so you don't have to water as often. However, be aware they are not ideal for all types of plants.

    Group plants together and relocate 

    One of the steps, Ms Campbell says, she would do at home is "putting all of my plants together."

    She says this helps increase humidity and then the plants use less water.

    "The other thing I will do, is I will move my plants away from the light."

    A lower light environment will also help them use less water, Ms Campbell says, and with the sun often in excess supply over January and December a little time away from direct light "isn't going to hurt".

    Dr Moore also suggests moving plants so they can't be burnt by sunlight.

    For some plants moving them outdoors might even be a "gentler" option, especially if your home gets really hot or humid.

    "Most of the indoor plants will do okay over summer outside, as long as they're not in direct sun … and they're given some water."

    Move plants into the bath for a holiday of their own 

    Dr Moore says you can move your plants into a bath or sink with some water if "you're not going to be away too long".

    He says it's an option for trips of a week or less, but beyond about 10-14 days the plants could be damaged by sitting in water.

    "Don't have the water too high," he says.

    You could also water plants using a (natural fibre) yarn or string, Dr Moore says.

    Place one end into a bowl or bucket of water and the other into the soil of the pot plant.

    "It doesn't deliver too much water and so that normally works out quite well. I've used that hack myself, so it does work."

    © 2024 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other International News
     12 Dec: Beinash Batool and Urfan Sharif found guilty of daughter Sarah Sharif's murder in UK
     12 Dec: PNG asylum seekers stripped of government-provided housing and healthcare under new deal
     12 Dec: What is the Golan Heights and what does it mean to Israel and Syria?
     12 Dec: Lani Pallister wins 800m gold at World Short Course Championships
     12 Dec: What is burnout and how can music help to solve this problem?
     12 Dec: Accused murderer Luigi Mangione's notebook outlined plan to 'wack the CEO', US media reports
     12 Dec: Saudi Arabia to host 2034 FIFA World Cup despite human rights sportswashing concerns
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    An early visit from The Grinch for many All Blacks - with Ford set to end their sponsorship of New Zealand Rugby More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Changes to tenancy laws have passed their third reading in the House More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Auckland Police have launched an investigation - after footage emerged of two uniformed police officers - trying a stripper's pole inside a private property 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift has issued a public thank you to "every single" fan who came to see 'The Eras Tour' 21:54

    Entertainment:
    Peter Andre has booked an "emotional" trip home to visit his sick mom in Australia 21:24

    Christchurch:
    Firefighters and two helicopters are continuing to work on dampening down a 30 hectare vegetation fire - next to State Highway 1 near Burnham, Canterbury 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Sian Welby has got a "new perspective" on life since welcoming her daughter Ruby into the world 20:54

    Entertainment:
    Emilia Perez looks set to be the big winner at the 2025 Golden Globes after scooping 10 nominations 20:24

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift sold more than $2 billion worth of tickets for her 'Eras Tour' 19:54

    Entertainment:
    Queen Elizabeth used to wear her Imperial State Crown to bath her kids 19:24

    Business:
    Changes to tenancy laws have passed their third reading in the House 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Olivia Wilde thinks social media is "dangerous" for filmmaking 18:54


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd