Summer Vacation Plant Choices: Specialists Confirm These 5 Houseplants Endure Dehydration During Your Absence
No guilt trips, no worries about withering plants while you're sipping a cocktail on the beach! Here are five easy peasy indoor plants that can survive your staycation.
- Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law's tongue) This cute hoizontal-striped plant is a great option for globe-trotters! Just remember to water it before you jet off, as it can go two to three weeks without needing a drink. Plus, it's one of the best air-cleaning indoor plants—bonus!
- Succulents and cacti Surprising no one, succulents and cacti have made the list. As desert dwellers, they're more than happy going three to four weeks without a drop of water. They store water in their swollen stems and leaves, so they're a good choice for people who travel often. Just ensure they get the right light, and you're all set!
- Ponytail palm Originating from desert areas, ponytail palms are unfazed by extended dry periods. They do enjoy a bit of water, though—but only every four to six weeks. So, they'll be just fine when you're gallivanting (try saying that one fast!) around!
- ZZ plant Known as the plant that thrives on neglect, the ZZ plant can cope with minimal moisture. Ideal for those of us who are a bit forgetful when it comes to watering our plants. Just remember not to overwater, and you've got yourself a winner!
- Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant) If you find yourself leaving town often, you might want to think about investing in this tough cookie. It's happy to go without water for a few weeks (perfect for that summer sojourn) and can handle fluctuating light levels like a champ.
So there you have it—a list of easy indoor plants that'll be just fine while you're off exploring the world. And remember, if your green-thumbed mate is worried about watering, you can always set up a wicking system or use a watering globe. Happy traveling, folks!
Tip: Check out the enrichment data for more info on how to water and take care of these awesome plants while you're away.
Enrichment Data
The top five easy indoor plants that can survive without watering while you are on vacation include:
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria) Snake plants store water in their succulent-like leaves, can go two to three weeks without water, and are known for being very low-maintenance. They tolerate low humidity and indirect light, making them ideal for indoor conditions and extended absences. Additionally, they help clean indoor air[1][5].
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) ZZ plants have thick, glossy leaves that store water, allowing them to survive drought periods. They do well in low or moderate light and only need watering every 2-3 weeks, which makes them perfect for being left alone during vacations[5].
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Spider plants thrive in bright, indirect light and can tolerate variability in watering. They can survive short dry periods due to their resilient nature and are also known as good air purifiers[5].
- Succulents (general category, e.g., Aloe Vera, Echeveria) Succulents are able to store water in their leaves, enabling them to go for weeks without water. They require bright light but minimal watering and are very low maintenance, making them excellent plants for travel times[1][5].
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) Although not explicitly listed in the top three by some sources here, Pothos is widely recognized as a hardy, forgiving plant that can handle infrequent watering and low light conditions, often recommended as an easy-care indoor plant for holidays[common horticultural knowledge supported by general low-maintenance plant guides].
For best results when leaving plants unattended for a vacation, water them thoroughly before departing. You can also use plant watering aids like terracotta watering spikes, watering globes, or self-watering methods such as polyester yarn wick systems to extend the moisture availability without daily care[2][3][4].
In summary, these top indoor plants—Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Spider Plant, Succulents, and Pothos—require minimal watering and can comfortably survive without water for several weeks, making them perfect for vacations lasting up to two or three weeks or longer with some precautions[1][5].
- Despite your frequent travels, maintaining a thriving collection of indoor plants is simple with options like the Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law's tongue), which can survive for two to three weeks without water thanks to its succulent-like leaves.
- For those who prefer a desert-like environment indoors, succulents and cacti are an ideal choice as they can go three to four weeks without water and are perfect for individuals who travel often due to their ability to store water in their swollen stems and leaves.
