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How to Ask Someone to Look After Your Plants While You're on Holiday
A preparation checklist and some tips on asking, for plant owners heading off on a summer break
A preparation checklist and some tips on asking, for plant owners heading off on a summer break
It is a good idea to start looking over your plants about a week before you leave. A plant with yellowing leaves or visible pests can get worse while you are away, so it is best to deal with it beforehand. In summer the soil dries out quickly, which makes this check even more important.
Remove any wilted leaves and spent flower stalks, and if the surface of the soil has hardened, scratch it lightly so water can soak in. Empty any water that has collected in the saucers, as roots left sitting in water for a long time can rot.
It is better not to feed your plants just before you go. If a plant is taking up nutrients at full tilt and nobody is there to keep an eye on it, the feed can become a strain rather than a help. Timing your last watering for a day or two before departure works well.
If you have several pots, you can group them together. Grouped plants help each other keep up a little humidity, and whoever is looking after them can check on them more easily. Just leave enough space so the leaves do not overlap too much.
Finally, give the house a good airing. Opening a window briefly to freshen the air can lower the chance of mould or pests while you are away. Do remember to close the windows when you leave.
What you need to do depends on how long you will be away and what kind of plants you have. The table below sets out the general principles, though things may vary a little with the sunlight and ventilation in your home.
| Length of holiday | How to prepare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 days | Water thoroughly before you leave | Most plants will not need anyone to look in |
| 4–7 days | Water, then move to bright shade | Avoid sunny windowsills |
| More than a week | Ask a neighbour or family member | Write down how to water |
Succulents, cacti and money trees, which hold on to water for a long time, will generally cope with being left for a few days. Plants with thin leaves and small pots, on the other hand, dry out quickly and need more attention.
Giving a lot of water all at once may feel reassuring, but if the pot does not drain, the roots will suffer. Water only until it runs out of the bottom of the pot, and tip away any water left in the saucer a little later. For pots without a saucer, water them somewhere that can take the drips, such as the bathroom, and then put them back in their place.
Midday summer sun at a window is stronger than you might expect, and leaves can scorch while you are away. Move your plants somewhere the light is softer, such as behind a lace curtain, and avoid spots where the air from an air conditioner blows straight onto them.
There is also a method using string or cloth. Put one end of a piece of string into a container of water and push the other end into the soil, and the soil will be moistened slowly. It is safest to try this out a few days before you leave.
Rather than asking only in words, it helps to write a few simple notes and hand them over. Even just the plant names, how often to water, how much to give each time and where each plant should sit will make things much easier for the person looking after them.
Be specific enough that even someone who has never grown plants can follow, for example: 'When the soil is dry, press a finger in to about the first knuckle, and then water.' If each pot needs something different, a note stuck on the pot will prevent any confusion.
If you will be away for a long time, tell them beforehand that you will check in once along the way. Asking them to send a photo if anything goes wrong lets you see how your plants are doing from afar.
It is kind to make things easy for them, too. Put out tools such as the watering can and saucers in advance, and let them know how to get in and out of your home. The less your helper has to hunt around, the more likely your plants are to be cared for on time.
The timing of your request matters as well. Rather than asking in a rush just before you leave, mention it about a week ahead so the other person can arrange their own schedule. And so they do not feel unable to refuse, add that they should feel free to say so if it would be difficult.
When you are back, it is good manners to say thank you with a small gift. It need not be grand; what matters is that your gratitude for the time they spent caring for your plants comes across.
If they looked after plants for you, a flower basket or a small potted plant is a lovely choice. Thinking about the recipient's tastes and the space in their home counts for more than an expensive present, and a short handwritten note will help your feelings come through.
Choose a size that will not feel like a burden to the recipient. A small flower basket is better than a large plant they have no room for, and if you know them well enough to know whether they have a flower allergy, it is worth checking beforehand.
At Arrive in Bloom (이름꽃), we can send flower baskets and bouquets across the country, with prices starting from around 45,000 won. The price includes delivery, we write your card message by hand free of charge, and we send you a photo of the actual arrangement after delivery.
It depends on the plant. Succulents and money trees, which hold water for a long time, will generally manage if you water them well before you leave and put them in bright shade. For plants with thin leaves, it is safer to ask someone you trust to look in once.
The plant names, how often to water, how much to give each time and where each plant should sit are enough. If each pot needs something different, stick a note on the pot. It also helps to ask in advance for a photo if anything goes wrong.
A small flower basket or bouquet to suit the recipient's tastes and the space in their home is a safe choice. A short handwritten note will help your feelings come through. Our flower baskets and bouquets start from around 45,000 won, with delivery included.
We send flower baskets and bouquets across the country. Your card message is handwritten free of charge, and we send you a photo of the actual arrangement after delivery.
Published July 16, 2026 · Updated October 7, 2026 · by Arrive in Bloom · Flower Editor
