Plant parents all have the same worry before setting off on holiday: who is going to water their beloved houseplants?
The good news is that a little planning — and one clever 5-minute hack — can keep your plant family flourishing.
“From succulents and spider plants to tropical ferns, all houseplants need attention – even when you’re away from home. Without proper preparation, a week of sunshine and sea for you could mean wilted leaves and dry soil for your beloved houseplants,” says Monique Kemperman, from Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland.
While best practice is to give your plants a thorough soak before you leave (and move them away from direct sunlight), a clever hack from garden expert Joe Clark shows how you can keep watering your plants even when you’re away — and using items you probably already have at home.
Elvira Kashapova//Getty Images
5-minute hack to water plants using an empty drinks bottle
You will need:
• An empty plastic bottle
• Bamboo cotton bud
• Water
• Something to pierce a hole in the bottle (such as a metal skewer)
“The idea is to upcycle it into an automatic plant waterer and keep pot plants happy on weekends away, without relying on the neighbours,” says Joe.
To try this hack, follow Joe’s steps below:
1. Rinse the bottle and make a small hole in the cap and another one low down on the side of the bottle – a heated metal skewer will do the trick. Then take a bamboo cotton bud and cut it in half. Put one half in each hole, cotton side facing out.
2. Then, fill the bottle with water. Replace the cap and stand the bottle on the compost. The water will slowly drip into the pot from the lower cotton bud, gently watering the plant in your absence. In hot weather, remove the cotton bud from the cap to speed up the droplets.
Garden to Save the World by Joe Clark (One Boat, £20) is out now.
10 solar garden lights to illuminate your outdoor space
John Lewis & Partners Solar Powered Moroccan Line Lights, BronzeCredit: John Lewis
Add a Moroccan feel to your outdoor space with these bronze John Lewis & Partners Solar Powered Moroccan Line Lights. The 20 Moroccan-style metal lantern lights will be sure to add a charming atmosphere to your outdoor space after dark.
LED Solar Lantern Chain
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This pretty string of globe lanterns comes with a solar panel, and each bulb is 50cm apart at a total length of 4.5m. Hang these from a tree or garden parasol to illuminate your outdoor space, perfect for parties and BBQs.
John Lewis & Partners Flint Solar Glass Outdoor LightCredit: John Lewis
Decorate your garden or passageways with these quaint outdoor lights. Solar powered and boasting a dainty jar-shaped design, it’s crafted from glass and can be easily placed at your preference thanks to its knotted rope handle.
AKAWEDDING 20 LED Solar Powered Retro Bulb String Lights Garden Outdoor Hanging Fairy Patio & Garden Wedding Light Decorations Christmas
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Give your outdoor space a vintage makeover with these retro-style string lights. The weather resistant design means you can hang them all year-round to any patio, balcony, pathway, tree or trellis.
Argos Home Set of 10 Stainless Steel Solar Marker LightsCredit: Argos
These marker lights are a great way of bringing some subtle lighting to your garden. Perfect for picking out a path, they’re made from stainless steel and built to last. They’re solar powered garden lights, meaning they are the ultimate low-maintenance lighting.
Solar Dandelion Outdoor Stake LightCredit: Not On The High Street
Perfect for enhancing the atmosphere in your outdoor space, these Solar Dandelion Outdoor Stake Lights will add a soft glow to your outside space. Equally perfect for parties and relaxing outdoors, the lights have a wonderful simplicity that adds character and warmth to your garden or terrace.
nex Set of 3 Solar Wire Chicks
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Add character to your outdoor space with these wire solar chicks, which last up to six hours. Adorable and functional.
Luli Novelty (Set of 6)Credit: Wayfair
These charming bird solar garden lights are easy to install – simply clip on to a branch, bush, tree or fence. They are powered by sunlight and automatically illuminate in the dark with a lighting time of up to 10 hours.
Lights4fun Set of 12 Mushroom Solar Decorative Garden Stake Lights Green Cable Warm White LED IP44 WaterproofCredit: Amazon
These fun mushroom solar-powered lights last up to eight hours of illumination each night in summer. They are 20cm in height and there is 50cm between each mushroom. Make sure not to miss out on getting your hands on these…
MatchstickShop Foxy Fox Garden Solar Lighting – Garden Lighting – Garden Decor – Gardening Gifts
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No garden or outdoor space should be complete without a Foxy Fox solar-powered light. Foxy Fox is handmade with decorative metal and beautiful scroll-effect cut out detail that creates a pretty pattern when the silhouette is illuminated at night.
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Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she’s busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.