This Quick Watering Trick Will Keep Your Plants Alive While You’re on Vacation

The summer is finally here, and hopefully that means you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and head out on a vacation! But before you go, you probably have more than a few loose ends to tie up at home, including what to do about your plants. Will they completely wilt away without you there for a week or two, or should you ask someone to come by and water your plants while you’re away? Well, there’s actually an easy hack that’ll keep them perfectly watered on their own — no babysitter necessary!

This tip comes from writer and reviewer Jada Wong, and it really couldn’t be simpler. The next time you’re about to head out for a trip, water your plants in your actual shower or sink until the soil is completely drenched. Let the excess water drain from your pots for a few minutes, and then wipe any moisture from your plants’ leaves themselves. She says that the drenched soil will keep plants fresh for a week or two, so you won’t have to worry about someone maintaining them while you’re out of town. So easy, right? Obviously, you don’t want to drench your plants all the time, but doing it once won’t leave them over-hydrated.

On top of that, there are a few other precautions you can take to make sure your plants aren’t neglected while you’re gone. Move plants into areas that are sunny but not in direct sunlight so that they don’t get too dry while they sit out. Then make sure you adjust your home’s temperature before you leave so that your plants aren’t wilting in the sweltering heat and ultra-humid air. And if you have a little extra time, you can swap out the pots and soil that your plants are in so that they’re thriving in a fresh new environment where they have room to grow.

With these tiny tweaks, you’ll not only set your plants up for success while you’re away, but you’ll keep your own concern at bay while you enjoy all of your time off!

This article originally appeared on our sister site, First for Women.