When you have indoor plants and pets in your home, the question of what to do with them when you are planning a vacation or a long trip away is always pressing. Of course, it is much easier with flowers, but you want them to stay alive after your absence.

How long can indoor plants go without watering

Each type of plant needs a different amount of moisture:

• calamus, azalea, cyperus, begonia, lemon, ivy, oleander, alocasia - require the soil to be constantly moist;
• dracaena, palm, monstera, clivia, aspidistra and other decorative foliage - it is important that the soil dries out between waterings;
• gloxinia, philodendron, zygocactus, hippeastrum, crinium, caladium - the soil should dry out completely before the next watering.

Having figured out which plants need how much moisture, you can determine how long you can leave the flowers without watering. If we are talking about a short absence, up to 5 days, then you can safely go, having previously watered all the plants.

How to preserve flowers without watering

It is better not to leave plants on window sills. Move the flowerpots to the floor or on a surface where the sun will not shine. You should not completely close the curtains either, because the flowers need light.

Before leaving, remove all dried leaves, dry inflorescences. If you will be absent for a long time, it is recommended to cut off buds and flowers. Also, you do not need to add fertilizers.

These simple manipulations will slow down the development of plants, they will not waste energy on maintaining life. Thus, the flowers will be able to more easily endure this stressful period.

We organize plant irrigation systems

There are special devices of industrial production that maintain soil moisture. But we will consider options for homemade automatic waterers:

• "Knee-deep in water." Place flowerpots with moisture-loving plants in deep trays with water. Moisture will gradually be absorbed through the holes in the bottom of the flowerpot.
• "Leaky bottle." Fill a plastic bottle with water, and make several holes in the lid. Insert it upside down into the soil. Strengthen the bottle.
• "Dishes with bundles." Place a large container with water on an elevated surface, and place flowerpots with plants around it. Twist bandages into 50-70 cm bundles for each flowerpot. Dip one end of the bundle in water, and stick the other end into the flowerpot.

The listed methods will help to organize uniform watering of flowers during your absence. Have a good rest and a happy return!