Summer vacation checklist for plant lovers

5 min reading time

Going on vacation while your plants stay behind? With the right preparation, there's nothing to worry about. This checklist covers how to make your houseplants vacation-proof: from pruning and watering to choosing the perfect spot, plus the ultimate solution - a self-sustaining closed terrarium that keeps itself alive while you enjoy your trip.

Summer vacation checklist for plant lovers: how your urban jungle survives the heat

Vacation, finally. Suitcase packed, door locked and... wait, your plants. For many plant lovers it's the same dilemma every year: who's going to water them? Will they scorch in the sun? Will they make it through the heat? With the right preparation, it’s you really don't need to worry. This checklist helps you get away worry-free, while your green interior looks just as good when you get home as when you left.

1. Prune your plants before you leave

A freshly pruned plant needs less energy to sustain itself. Remove dead leaves, spent flowers and overly long shoots. That might sound counterintuitive - don't you want more plant, not less? - but it actually helps the plant manage water and light more efficiently while you're away.

Use the right tools for this. The Terrarium scissors - Metal - 25 cm - Extra long - Curved blades - stainless steel reach even the tightest corners for clean, straight cuts. The curved blades are especially handy for plants in narrow pots or glass containers.

Terrarium scissors - Metal - 25 cm - Extra long - Curved blades - stainless steel

And if you also want to clear away stones, fallen leaves or debris before you leave: the Terrarium tool set - Toolkit for terrariums includes a telescopic rake and scoop that make tidying up the soil surface effortless.

Terrarium tool set - Toolkit for terrariums

2. Give your plants a thorough watering - but don't overdo it

Give all your plants a good watering the day before you leave, not the morning of. That way excess water has time to drain, preventing roots from sitting in standing water and rotting. By the way: overwatering is the most common mistake people make before leaving. The instinct is understandable, but for most houseplants too much water is more dangerous than too little.

Use lukewarm water, never cold tap water straight onto the roots.
Check that the pot has good drainage.
Don't leave saucers full of water, unless the plant is used to that.

3. Move your plants away from direct summer sun

The sun sits very differently in summer than in winter. A windowsill that was ideal in February can turn into a real oven in July. Before you leave, move your plants to a brighter but less direct spot. East- or north-facing windows are fine in summer; full south or west sun is genuinely too much for most tropical houseplants.

4. Consider a water reservoir or system

For a longer vacation (more than a week), a simple drip system or watering system is a smart investment. You can also program watering with a timer on the tap. For a short absence of a few days, good preparation is usually enough.

You can also use some smart low-tech tricks:

Place pots on a towel in a tray of water - capillary action lets the soil draw up water itself.
A plastic bottle with a small hole, turned upside down in the soil, works as drip irrigation.
Group plants together; they create a more humid microclimate together.

5. Ask a plant-loving friend - or choose smarter

Have a friend, neighbor or family member with a green thumb? Give clear instructions, not just verbally but also on a note by the plants. Write down which plant needs how much water, and which ones can be left alone.

Or even smarter: build part of your collection around plants that are vacation-proof. Plants with a closed ecosystem, like a bottle garden or terrarium, can sometimes go months without extra water. Really.

6. Use a closed terrarium - the ultimate vacation solution 🌿

A closed terrarium or bottle garden is the most stress-free option for plant lovers who travel regularly. Thanks to the closed ecosystem, this kind of mini-jungle regulates itself: moisture evaporates, condenses on the glass, and drips back into the soil. Watering is needed at most once or twice a year.

The Jar Asparagus - Terrarium - Bottle garden DIY kit - Ø 18 cm ↑ 28 cm is a compact, atmospheric model you can simply leave on the windowsill while you enjoy your well-deserved vacation. No worries, no neighbor accidentally overwatering it.

Jar Asparagus - Terrarium - Bottle garden DIY kit

The Dome XL - Two-part round glass terrarium - Bottle garden DIY kit - Ø 28 cm ↑ 28 cm is a larger version with an impressive round glass shape - a real eye-catcher in your interior that also keeps itself alive.

Dome XL - Two-part round glass terrarium - Bottle garden DIY kit

Already have a terrarium that could use a refresh before you leave? The Coffea Arabica - Plant Terrarium Refill & Starter kit - 3 terrarium plants - DIY gives you everything you need to renew your terrarium: fresh moss, new soil, clay pebbles, activated charcoal and three new plants including a Coffea Arabica - perfect for a fresh start before summer vacation.

Coffea Arabica - Plant Terrarium Refill & Starter kit

7. Your checklist summarized

Prune dead leaves and overgrown shoots with good tools (like the Terrarium scissors).
Give a thorough but not excessive watering the day before you leave.
Move plants away from direct summer sun.
Group plants together for a more humid microclimate.
Arrange a water reservoir or drip system for absences longer than a week.
Give clear instructions to whoever is checking in on them.
Consider terrariums or bottle gardens for the most worry-free solution.

Coming home to a green oasis

With a bit of preparation, you'll come home to a house that looks just as green and lively as when you left. And maybe - who knows - even greener. A closed terrarium can quietly do its own thing while you're away and surprise you with new shoots and growth spurts the moment you get back.

Ready to make your collection vacation-proof? Discover all the terrariums, tools and plants at urbanjngl.com - all handmade in the Netherlands and shipped fast across Europe.