Here's How to Care for Your Plants When on Vacation

Just because our attention is focused on keeping things steady (ahem, alive) in the garden this deep into the summer, it doesn’t mean we should neglect our leafy loved ones who live indoors—especially if you have travel plans! Houseplants have special needs every season, but summer heat and time away come with their own set of challenges. 

I reached out to six of my favorite plant shops from all over the West (yes, even in Alaska) to share location-specific tips on how to keep your plant posse happy and healthy this season. From grouping them together to create humidity, to drawing the blinds to diffuse sunlight, and most importantly, resolving not to freak out upon return—this is how to prep before your trip. They’ve even included their current favorite plants just in case you’re looking to add to your own collection… but maybe that’s a better idea for after you return from your travels. 

Whether you’re jet-setting or just need some extra guidance, here are the best ways to take care of your houseplants this summer. 

Andrew Alvarado, houseplant buyer at Flora Grubb Gardens in Los Angeles and San Francisco, advises to look into the specifics of care by getting as hyper-localized as your neighborhood’s unique microclimate. Depending on if you’re coastal or inland, plants will need to be watered either more or less frequently. “In areas with abundant fog and cool weather you might need to water less often, while in sunny or warm locations, you might want to try pulling them into slightly darker and cooler locations to limit watering,” he says. “For thirsty plants or those in small containers, filling a saucer with about ½-inch of water will give the plant a little reservoir to draw upon.”

Most importantly, if they look a