Want to go out for the National Day holiday but worried about your plants drying out while you're away? Especially after the summer heat, some plants still haven’t fully recovered, and a few days without water could make them wilt! Today, I’ll teach you a few super practical “automatic watering tips,” using common materials found around the house. You don’t have to spend much money—just spend 10 minutes before you leave, and your plants will still be healthy and green when you return.
The easiest method is the “plastic bottle drip irrigation method,” which works with any empty mineral water bottle or beverage bottle. Start by washing the bottle thoroughly, then poke 3-5 small holes in the bottle cap (don’t make the holes too big, or the water will leak too fast; don’t make them too small, or they’ll clog). Fill the bottle with water, screw the cap on, and then find a toothpick or small stick. Turn the bottle upside down, insert the toothpick at an angle into the soil in the flower pot—be careful not to block the holes. The water will slowly seep into the soil through the small holes. For a medium-sized flower pot, one bottle will be enough; for larger pots, you can use two bottles. This way, the water will drip slowly each day, just enough for the plant to drink, and it won’t cause root rot.
If you have plants like pothos or ivy that enjoy humidity, try the “towel water transfer method,” which is so easy you don’t even need to learn it. Take a large basin or bucket and fill it with water. Then, get a clean cotton towel (don’t use synthetic ones, as they don’t absorb water well), and place one end of the towel in the water basin and the other end into the flower pot so it touches the moist soil. The water will gradually “crawl” up the towel into the pot, like an “invisible water pipe” for the plant. This method keeps the soil moist without waterlogging and is perfect for plants that love water.
If you’re growing succulents or snake plants, which dislike waterlogging, the “shallow water tray root immersion method” is the best. Prepare a shallow tray (even a clean takeout container will work), pour 1-2 cm of water into the tray, and then place the flower pot directly in the tray. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom so the water can slowly absorb through the holes into the soil. This method doesn’t use much water, just enough to keep the bottom of the pot moist, and your succulents will get enough water without the risk of root rot. When you leave, set it up, and after 7 days, the soil will still be slightly moist—super safe.
Before you leave, besides setting up automatic watering, don’t forget two things: First, move your plants to a spot with indirect light, away from direct sunlight. Otherwise, the water will evaporate too quickly, and no watering method will help. Second, water your plants thoroughly one day before you leave so the soil is fully hydrated. Combine this with the methods above, and you'll have double insurance for peace of mind.
No matter which method you choose, the key is to select based on the plant's needs—water-loving plants should use drip irrigation or water transfer, while plants that dislike waterlogging should use shallow trays or sponges. Learn these tricks, enjoy your National Day holiday without worry, and return home to healthy, thriving plants!
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