How to Water Bonsai & Plants While on Holiday
Planning a holiday can be exciting, but if you’re green-fingered, the prospect of leaving your beloved plants unattended can be a bit unnerving. We’ve all faced that dilemma: how will our leafy friends survive without their regular sips of water? But don’t let the fear of wilted leaves put a damper on your getaway. With a bit of foresight and some clever tricks, you can keep your plants happy and hydrated while you’re soaking up the sun on a beach or trekking through the mountains.
Every plant has its own thirst level, and knowing this is key before you head off. You wouldn’t want to overwater (refer to bonsai) cacti or leave your thirsty ferns high and dry, would you? So, we’ve rounded up some smart watering strategies in this article to quench your plants’ thirst.
You can have drip systems using good old string to high-tech automated solutions that’ll make your plants think it’s raining indoors. However, we have eliminated all the technique systems and are providing you with a simple plug and play gravity float water system.
Remember, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring you don’t return to a plant disaster.
Key Takeaways
- Planning and assessing your plants’ watering needs can prevent wilting during your holiday.
- There are various watering solutions, from simple DIY methods to automated systems.
- Preparing your plants properly pre-holiday will ensure they thrive in your absence.
Selecting the Right Location
Location, location, location! It’s not just for house hunting; it’s crucial for our leafy pals too. Think about it: while we’re chasing shade on the beach, our indoor plants also need a break from the scorch. Moving them into indirect light can prevent them from drying out too quickly, kind of like swapping a sun lounger for a hammock in the shade.
Outdoor plants in containers? They’ve got wanderlust too. Grouping them together can create a little microclimate where they keep each other cool – it’s like a plant huddle. Just be sure they’re not in a spot where a surprise heatwave could turn them into plant crisps.
With this prep, our green buddies will be set for a low-stress holiday of their own. Let’s get to it!
Considerations for Bonsai
While beautiful, living works of art, Bonsai do demand considerable attention and vigilance from us. What to do with Bonsai when away on holiday can be a daunting consideration. This being said, there are some primary tricks and tips that go a long way to ensuring your Bonsai stay in the best of health while you’re having the best time on holiday.
Light for Bonsai
Though closing the curtains is something of a reflex before going on holiday… you should really avoid doing this if growing indoor bonsai. Light as an absolute necessity for these miniature marvels and leaving them in a room that can provide all the light they need is a must.
Should you be growing outdoor bonsai species, it is best to leave them in a spot that can provide semi-shade. This will protect them from the sun affecting them for the worst, and will also ensure their water source will last longer and not evaporate.
Watering Bonsai
As potted plants, Bonsai’s ability to source and retain water is limited by the container. This makes their watering all the more important and vital.
Come summer, bonsai require more watering like many plant species. Keeping track of the watering needs is easily done when at home, but what exactly is one supposed to when away from their plants? Well we have a solution for you. It is simple, easy to use, automated and follows the plants lead on how much water they require…
Easy2Go Kit
If there is one product we would highly recommend to take care of all your plant’s watering needs while on your hols, it is the Easy2Go Kit from Autopot. This remarkable automated water system is not only reasonably priced and effective, it is electricity-free, easy to use and gravity-fed. This is the perfect system for those extended breaks. It can ensure that you don’t come home to wilted, drought-stricken plants.
Easy2Go Kit – How it works

This nifty little kit uses a consistent flood and drain action to deliver water. It will flood the tray to 20 millimetres then stop. Once the plants have consumed the water, it will reopen the AQUAvalve and the tray will fill with water within 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of tray. The valve ensures a controlled release of water, which the growing medium and plants then absorb, providing a lifeline to your potted plants while you’re having adventures. In a nutshell, grab the AutoPot Easy2Go Kit, and kiss goodbye to parched plants when going away.
Easy2Go Kit – Important Considerations
The size of reservoir is a vital consideration. The amount of water available for your plants is dependent on the size of reservoir. A long stay away from the home means more watering. Factors like the profile of your plants, succulent, deciduous, hardy etc. need taking into account. Do also consider the weather when you are abroad. If a heat wave or sustained hot spell is ahead, a bigger reservoir is non-negotiable.
What’s Inside An Easy2Go Kit
When you unpack this kit, here’s what you’ll find tucked inside:
- 1x AQUAvalve
- 1x AQUAvalve cover
- 1x Circular spirit level
- 1x 16-6mm inline filter
- 1x 6mm golf filter
- 1x 6mm top hat grommet
- 1x 1.5mm 6mm pipe
Easy2Go Important Requirements
- Reservoir: Minimum 30 litres capacity.
We would advise these reliable choices:
- AutoPot Flexitank range
- AutoPot FlexiTank
- 47L Litre Reservoir
- 100L Litre Water Butt Tank
- Flat-based tray: Ideally 30mm in depth.
- Our selection of trays can provide this for you
Easy2Go Kit – How To Set Up And Use
- Before assembly, lift the AQUAvalve’s top float and push the top silicon in as far as it will go to seal the hole on the top float of the aqua valve
- Insert the circular spirit level into the top of the AQUAvalve
- Ensure the tray is level
- AQUAvalve can be placed in the tray
- Position the reservoir level with the tray
- Connect the Easy2Go valve to the hose and reservoir
- Sit back, and let it work its magic
Reliable Back Ups
When heading off on holiday, the last thing we want is to fret over our green buddies back home. Let’s dive into some clever and utterly practical ways to ensure our plants thrive in our absence.
Hiring a Professional Plant Sitter
Hiring a professional plant sitter might sound a tad posh, but it’s a brilliant option to consider for peace of mind. We’re talking about entrusting our leafy companions to a horticulturist who knows their petunias from their peonies. It’s not just about watering; these pros will be on the lookout for pesky critters and any signs of plant distress. Remember to:
- Set up a walk-through with your plant sitter before you leave to show them the ropes.
- Provide a care schedule and list any specific needs for each plant.
- Ask about their experience with monitoring for potential pests and diseases.
Instructing a Friend or Neighbour
Asking a friend or neighbour to pop in and water the plants can be a top-notch plan. They’re just next door and hey, they might even bring in the post. But ensure it’s someone you trust to not just give your plants a sip, but a proper drink. To make it a smooth operation:
- Leave clear, written instructions for each plant’s needs because we can’t expect everyone to be a plant whisperer.
- Set up reminders or alerts as a nudge for your mate to do the routine checks.
- Maybe even offer a thank you gift for when you return, as everyone loves a token of appreciation, right?
By lining up someone reliable, we can keep our plants perky and our holiday worry-free.
Special Considerations for Long Holidays

Planning a summer getaway? We’re here to make sure your plants thrive while you explore new horizons. Long vacations need a bit more prep, especially if a drought is on the cards while you’re away. Here’s your quick guide with no fluff, just the essentials.
Before you jet off:
- Check the forecast: A heatwave could spell trouble. If a dry spell is expected, consider a drip irrigation system or self-watering globes.
- Group your plants: Pop them together to create a microclimate with higher humidity, making each other’s company beneficial.
If the holiday’s lengthy:
- First and foremost: You must ensure that you have pick an appropriately sized reservoir for your Easy2Go kit. Too small a reservoir across a lengthy holiday will leave your plants drought stricken no matter how hard the system works. If your stay away from home is longer than 5 days, be sure to provide a bigger water supply.
- Mulch is your friend: A layer of mulch reduces evaporation. Remember, wood chips or bark work wonders.
- Neighbours: Why not ask a trusted friend or neighbour for help? A quick pop-in could be the difference between parched and perky!
Tech to the rescue:
- Automated systems: A smart watering system is magic. Look no further than the Easy2Go Kit.
- Hose tricks: For beds, a hose at the base of your plants, left for several minutes, ensures deep watering. Check the soil’s wet a few inches down before skipping to the next plant.
We’ve aimed for a happy middle ground—just enough detail to be helpful without droning on. With these tips, we trust your plants and bonsai will be partying in their pots until you’re back from your adventures!
How to Water Bonsai & Plants While On Holiday FAQs
Let’s get straight to the point: for a month-long absence, consider setting up an automatic drip irrigation system. It might cost a bit upfront, but it’s a stress-free way to ensure your plants receive consistent moisture, this is particularly helpful with bonsai. Alternatively, group indoor plants together to create a microclimate and employ capillary matting beneath them; this encourages the plants to draw water as needed.
For your two-week getaway, you might want to try the bottle method. Simply fill a water bottle, turn it upside down, and nestle it into the soil. The water trickles out slowly, giving your plant a steady sip. This is likely too robust a method for bonsai trees, consider when applying.
Absolutely, our outdoor plants can rough it out for a week. Just give them a thorough watering before you leave and apply a layer of mulch to keep that moisture from evaporating too quickly. If rain isn’t on the forecast, ask a neighbour to give them a water mid-week, or invest in a timer-controlled sprinkler system to step in while you’re out.
If DIY’s your style, then the self-watering setup’s your profile. Invest a bit of time before you jet off to create a wick system using cotton rope and a water reservoir. The rope wicks water from the reservoir to the plant’s soil. Test it a few days before departure to ensure it’s ticking along nicely. It should be noted, seldom has a wick system been advised for indoor bonsai, it is a haphazard method of care for these trees.
Sure, the bathtub technique is a classic: fill the tub with a bit of water, set your pots in there, make sure their bases are in touch with the water but not drowning, and off you go. Don’t forget to shield them from direct sunlight—the steam room effect only works when it’s not a sauna! Remember, this trick is best for plants that love a bit more humidity. If tending to bonsai, this is not the best idea as leaving them sat in water for extended periods is simply unadvisable.