Q&A for How to Water Plants While You're Away

If your plants came back to life then you did the right thing! You came home at a good time. Any longer and your plants probably would have died. Avoid this problem by using one of the methods detailed above to water your plants while you’re away.

Yes this can work if you are leaving for less than a week. This will work best with terracotta pots. Place the pots on a tray of shallow water.

The string or cord that you use must be able to "hold" water. Usually that means that some part or all of it is cotton. The Dollar Stores sell synthetic twisted cord that cannot transit water. The round braided cord often has a cotton outside braid with a nylon or other synthetic core. These WILL transmit water. The way to test is to drop 6" of the end of the cord length into water in the sink for 30 seconds, then lift it out and see if you can squeeze water out of it easily. If you can, then this is the cord to use.

The 5th method is best for plants in a pot, but the 3rd method is best for a garden outside.

It depends entirely on what type and, most importantly, temperature. The higher the temperature the plants have, the more water they evaporate to regulate their own temperature. But generally, most succulents can manage without water for at least 3 weeks.

Method 5 would be best for plants producing fruit because fruit plants need a lot of water.

Use the cotton string method. Just use a big jar, as this can usually last over 2 months.

it depends on how big your jar is. An average-sized jar will last up to 2 months.

You might try using a thinner string or not inserting the end of the string so far into the dirt.