Watering your plants while on holiday — here's how to do it smartly

Your bags are packed, the taxi is booked — and then you see them. Your plants. You give them a guilty look and wonder for the hundredth time: who's going to take care of watering my plants while I'm away? Luckily there's a simple solution: a watering globe for plants. But how does it work exactly, and is it really enough for two weeks?

Method comparison: what actually works?

Watering globe 700ml — up to 14 days — suitable for all houseplants — downside: needs refilling for longer absences
Having someone come over — unlimited — suitable for everything — downside: dependent on others
Plastic bottle trick — 3 to 5 days — suitable for small pots — downside: unreliable, leaks easily
Self-watering pot — 7 to 10 days — suitable for small plants — downside: expensive, doesn't work for large plants
Terracotta watering globe — 7 to 10 days — suitable for garden and vegetable garden — downside: less suitable for houseplants

How do you use a watering globe while on holiday?

Make a small hole in the soil next to the plant using the included stick or a pen. Fill the globe completely with water. Cover the opening with your finger and quickly push the globe into the hole. Adjust the angle — the steeper, the slower the drip. More about this in our blog about setting the flow of your watering globe. Test it 24 hours in advance so you know it works.

How many globes do I need?

That depends on the plant size. A small houseplant does fine with one globe. Do you have a large monstera or palm tree? Then consider two globes. Read more in our blog about the right watering globe size for large plants.

Note: don't move your plant to a sunnier spot just before your holiday. Glass globes in direct sunlight can be dangerous. Read more about the fire hazard of glass watering globes.

Tips for longer holidays of two weeks or more

Use multiple globes per plant
Ask someone to come by halfway to refill them
Combine with a saucer of water under the pot
Place your plant in indirect light — less light means less evaporation and therefore less water consumption