Hi plant people! Here’s hoping you guys are planning some fun in the sun this summer with some well earned trips away. If you are planning a get away, you might be feeling a little bit worried about what to do with your houseplants when you go on holiday. But don’t worry, The Little Botanical team is here to help.

This week we’re bringing you our top tips and tricks to look after your indoor plants when you go on holiday. The good news is that with a little careful planning now you’ll be able to jet off and enjoy your time without having to worry about your botanical buddies.

For larger plants, such as the Monstera, Areca Palm and Strelitzia Bird of Paradise, you can pop them in the bath with shallow water on a wet towel (so you don’t mark your bath). You can also take them out of their pot and place them in a shallow bucket of water.

Although indoor plants shouldn’t be left to stand in water permanently, they will be happy in shallow water for around one week to ten days. This keeps them from getting thirsty whilst you’re enjoying your holiday.

There are some exceptions to this rule though! There are some plants that won’t thank you for giving them unlimited access to water while you’re away. Make sure you don’t immerse any drought-loving indoor plants in water before you go away. Too much water can damage their delicate roots. This includes succulents and cacti as well as houseplants such as Aloe Vera, Sansevieria, ZZ Plant, Yucca and Spider Plant. Instead, give these plants a small drink before you go away. They should be fine until you come home.

Houseplants don’t like change. They’re at their happiest in consistent temperatures away from drafts or too much heat (from radiators or heaters, for example). When you go on holiday, try to keep conditions as close to normal as possible. This can be tricky when you need to protect your house by turning the heating off and closing all windows. The best option, if you have no alternative, is to move your plants into a cooler, shaded area (that gets a little bit of natural light).

Doing this reduces temperature and humidity loss by approximately 80%. It also prevents the leaves from drying out or scorching. Once you get back from your holiday, you can move your beautiful botanicals back to their original spot.

Your plants will be fine when left alone for a short while. But if you’re leaving plants for two weeks or more, why not call on a neighbour or a friend to check in on your plants while you’re away? Ask them to check on your plants’ position to make sure they’re not in direct sunlight. Also get them to give your green beauties a nice big drink if their soil is drying out to prevent them from getting thirsty.

We also have just launched Pepin Ollas. These fabulous little plant baby-sitters are a perfect choice to help your plants stay healthy while you’re away. With their natural terracotta design, this allows the slow release of water into your plants’ soil and roots. This ensures they stay hydrated when you are away. Choose from a selection of colours; the Pepin Ollas are your perfect plant-sitting friend and they look great too! Why not explore all our Plant Accessories? We have a range of helpful tools to look after your plant babies while the plant parents are off on their holidays.

Available in gold or copper, our watering cans are designed with a long, slim spout to rehydrate your green beauties directly into the roots. They’re perfect for hard-to-reach houseplants, giving you the opportunity to give them plenty to drink before you head off on holiday.

With a complete blend of 17 essential nutrients to aid growth, our Plantsmith Perfecting Houseplant Care Mist gives your houseplants a moisture boost before you head off on your travels. Just before you go, shake the bottle well and mist the leaves until it looks like a fine mist has settled on them. Then gently spritz the compost to moisten it and prevent your plant from wilting or crisping while you’re away.

Promote stronger leaves and longer-lasting flowers while you’re away on holiday with our Plantsmith Fortifying Houseplant Tonic. This professional formulation houseplant food contains 13 essential nutrients to stimulate cell growth, including potassium, magnesium and iron. Simply shake the bottle well and mix 5 ml (approximately four pumps) into a litre of lukewarm water and apply it to the base of your plants before you go away. When you come back, they should be stronger than ever.

It’s normal to lose the odd plant when you go on holiday. Don’t worry if you happen to lose one or two of your botanical beauties whilst you’re away. Take a look at our Refill Range, where you can buy some of our most-loved plants “naked” in their growing pots and re-use The Little Botanical ceramic you already have at home.