How do I keep potted plants watered when I go away for 2 weeks?

Carole Walters
by Carole Walters
  7 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 07, 2017

    Place then in a bathtub with just enough water to create moisture.

  • Cynthia Potts Cynthia Potts on Apr 08, 2017

    Deep dish/pan of water under each plant. As long as there is drainage in the bottom of each pot (stones, pinecones, etc.) the plants will draw what they need up through the roots, without rotting them.


  • Florent Florent on Apr 08, 2017

    Take an empty plastic bottle, make small holes in the cork with a small drill or a small metal piece passed throught a flame. Fill with water, and plant in your pot upside down. Your plant will have water equally each day. for a longer time, use some bigger bottles...

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Apr 08, 2017

    I too practice the bottle method as Florent from NY has suggested. It works great. I currently have large clear soda bottles in my larger potted plants in my carport. Now I don't over water my plants and when the bottles are empty I know it's time to refill them. Easy peasy.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dfm Dfm on Apr 09, 2017

      the hole is made in the bottle cap. the bottle is then planted next to the plant. I've seen a few versions of this-some use the cap/hole on the bottle then cut off the bottom of the bottle, easier to refill. others poke small holes in the bottle and bury it leaving opening above the soil level.


      i'd find an empty pot- the size you would normally use and fill with your potting mix- no plant, but test the bottle method to see just how wet the soil mix you use gets.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Apr 09, 2017

    I love this trick!

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Apr 09, 2017

    No cork. An empty water bottle with it's original cap (drilled for holes) filled with water, placed upside down in the planted pot. The dry soil will 'drink' the water as needed. Really works.

  • Christina Yates Christina Yates on Apr 11, 2017

    Unless the temperature is very warm I would have thought a good watering leaving excess in bottom of container should last but, many years ago I was going abroad for the first time for 2 weeks and put my plants, which were mainly large specimen plants, into my bath with some water, the bathroom had a skylight and when I got home the plants had gone mad reaching for the light etc I was thrilled with the growth they had put on and they continued to thrive when replaced to their usual spots around the house