Planning an end-of-year getaway is exciting, but for many plant parents the excitement of going away is tinged with worry at the thought of leaving their plants home alone. While some plants can survive a few days without water, a plan must be made for others if you’re planning a longer holiday.

Tips for a short break-away (indoor and potted plants):

Make sure you water your plants thoroughly before you leave.The more light your plant receives, the more water it needs. Consider moving them away from their natural source of light to help them retain water for longer while you’re away.Most houseplants, especially tropical species, benefit from being grouped together because the plants release moisture into the air around them. This increases the humidity around them to such an extent that no more water can pass from the plant into air, helping them to stay hydrated.Make an improvised irrigator with a plastic water bottle. Poke a few holes in the bottle lid, fill the bottle with water, and bury the bottle halfway and upside down in the pot. The water will slowly seep into the soil and keep the soil saturated with moisture. Make sure that excess water can drain out of the pot.

Tips for a longer holiday (indoor, potted and garden plants):

Asking a neighbour or friend to pop in while you’re away is the good old-fashioned way of doing things but not everyone has this option. Instead, consider an automatic watering solution such as the options listed below:

The GARDENA Holiday Watering Set is an automatic system that can water up to 36 potted plants. The set includes three different distributors, each with 12 outlets catering to different watering needs.The GARDENA AquaBloom is a solar-powered set that can take care of up to 20 plants. It comes with 14 preset watering programmes guaranteeing even water distribution. Ideal for plants on the balcony, this innovative watering solution requires nothing more than an additional bucket.The GARDENA Water Control Select connect directly to a tap and a GARDENA hose then connect the Water Control Select to a sprinkler, Micro-Drip irrigation or an underground sprinkler system. Three different watering schedules can be set on the detachable control panel, including the start time and watering duration which will be displayed on the LCD screen.

With so many options to choose from you can rest assured that your precious plants will survive the holiday heat.

-- ENDS --  

About Gardena
For over 50 years, GARDENA has provided high-quality gardening tools to passionate and savvy gardeners around the world. The brand, through its vast range of gardening tools, offers innovative solutions and systems for watering, lawn care, tree and shrub care and soil cultivation. Today, GARDENA is a leading European supplier of high-quality gardening tools and is distributed in more than 80 countries worldwide.  

Find out more about GARDENA
Website: https://www.gardena.com/za/
Facebook: @gardena.southafrica

About The GARDENA ReTh!nk pledge
Our economic activities have consequences for the environment and climate. It is important we are aware of this and face the resulting challenges. By subscribing to our ReTh!nk pledge, we make every effort to reduce the toll and lessen the impact on our environment and our lives. Our ReTh!nk pledge is built on the foundation of the Circular R’s: Reduce, Repair, Recycle. This helps us quantify and qualify how sustainable each of our products really is and, in turn, how sustainable your gardening can be. We aim to become the sustainable choice in gardening tools and are already working on a number of new circular innovations to help you make better, more conscious and sustainable decisions. We want to inspire all passionate gardeners to learn about sustainable gardening practices and how you can contribute to a healthy ecosystem. At GARDENA, we believe now is the time to ReTh!nk.

Find out more about GARDENA ReTh!nk: https://www.gardena.com/za/about/gardena-sustainability/rethink/.

For more information, images or press related queries, please contact Nayaab Maharaj –This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.