The Travels Blog

What PLants Keep While You Travel?

Going away on holiday for a week or two should not mean coming home to a collection of sad, crispy plants. Some houseplants need regular watering, careful positioning and plenty of attention. Others are far more relaxed about things. Give them a decent spot, water them properly before you go, and they can cope quite happily while you are off enjoying yourself! I’ve found 11 plants that are great for travel and makes them ideal for travellers. Whether, you are heading off for a long weekend in Edinburgh, spending two weeks in Spain or simply find yourself away from home more often than you expected, these plants are unlikely to hold a grudge.

They still need looking after, of course. No houseplant is genuinely maintenance-free. The trick is choosing varieties that naturally cope with dry conditions and do not need constant watering.

If you found this article, you’re probably like me! I went away, asked someone to look after my peace lilly, and water her. Unfortuantely, when I returned she was limp, and I had to give her some serious love! Then, I went on the hunt to find what plants would be okay for when I travel, and here’s what I found:

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Here are 11 worth having at home:

1. Snake Plant

The snake plant is about as forgiving as houseplants come. Its tall, upright leaves make it a good choice if you want something that looks smart without needing much attention.

It stores water in its leaves and prefers its compost to dry out between waterings. That means you can often leave it alone for a couple of weeks, depending on the temperature and light levels in your home.

Put it somewhere with bright, indirect light if you can, although it will tolerate lower light too.

Give it a proper drink before you leave, but only once the compost has dried sufficiently.

2. ZZ Plant

If you regularly forget to water your plants, the ZZ plant is worth a look.

It has thick stems and underground rhizomes that help it store water, so it can cope with dry spells much better than many tropical houseplants. It is also happy in indirect light and does not need fussing over.

The biggest mistake is usually giving it too much water. Let the compost dry out before watering again.

A ZZ plant is a particularly good choice if you regularly go away for weekends or longer trips.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is used to dry conditions, so it is not going to panic because you have gone away for ten days.

Its thick, fleshy leaves hold water, allowing the plant to cope with periods without a drink. Keep it somewhere bright, preferably near a sunny window, and use a free-draining compost.

It is better to water thoroughly and then leave it alone than to give it small amounts of water every few days.

Aloe vera is one of the easier plants to leave while you are travelling, provided it is not sitting in wet compost.

4. Ponytail Palm

Despite the name, the ponytail palm is not actually a palm. It is a drought-tolerant plant with a swollen base that stores water.

That makes it particularly useful for anyone who likes travelling without having to organise a plant sitter.

Give it plenty of light and allow the compost to dry out between waterings. It can take quite a while to use the water stored in its base.

Put it in your brightest suitable spot before heading off and avoid watering it simply because you are about to leave.

5. String of Pearls

String of pearls has small, round leaves that look almost like green beads running along its trailing stems. Those little leaves are designed to hold water, which is one reason the plant copes well with dry conditions.

It likes plenty of light and very good drainage. Overwatering is a bigger concern than forgetting about it for a while.

It is also a great option if you want something that looks good hanging from a shelf or positioned somewhere high.

Let the compost dry out properly before watering, particularly before a holiday.

6. Haworthia

Haworthia is small, neat and surprisingly tough. Many varieties have striped, spotted or textured leaves, so they bring plenty of character without taking up much space.

Like other succulents, they store water and prefer a dry spell between drinks. They are particularly useful if you have a sunny windowsill that needs filling.

They are also small enough to group together, although make sure each pot has proper drainage.

Water only when the compost has dried out. A little neglect is generally much safer than keeping the roots constantly wet.

7. Jade Plant

The jade plant is another succulent that does not mind a bit of time alone.

Its thick, rounded leaves store water and its woody stems give it a miniature tree-like appearance as it gets older. It likes a bright position and well-drained compost.

During cooler or darker periods, it will usually need less water. In summer, particularly in a warm room, check the compost occasionally.

If you are heading away, check the soil rather than watering automatically. If it is already damp, leave it alone.

8. Cast Iron Plant

Not every tough houseplant has to be a succulent.

The cast iron plant has broad, dark green leaves and is well known for coping with conditions that would leave more delicate plants struggling. It can tolerate lower light and does not need frequent watering.

It is a good choice for darker rooms where a cactus or succulent might not get enough light.

If you are away regularly and your home does not get loads of sunshine, this is one of the more practical options.

9. Rubber Plant

Rubber plants can grow into impressive indoor specimens, but they are not particularly demanding once they are settled.

They prefer bright, indirect light and should be allowed to dry out somewhat between waterings. They do not appreciate being left sitting in soggy compost, so good drainage is important.

They will need more water during active growth and less during darker months, so your holiday watering routine may change with the seasons.

Give it the right conditions rather than trying to compensate with extra water before you go.

10. Burro’s Tail/Burrito Tail

Burro’s tail is a trailing succulent with rows of plump leaves along its stems. It looks particularly good spilling over the edge of a shelf or hanging planter.

Those fleshy leaves store water, so the plant can cope with periods of dryness. It does, however, have a reputation for dropping leaves if it is knocked or moved around too much.

Give it plenty of light, good drainage and leave the compost to dry before watering.

Find it a permanent spot before you go. The less you move it around, the better.

11. Zebra Haworthia

If you like the look of succulents but want something compact, zebra haworthia is a solid choice.

Its pointed leaves have distinctive white markings and it stays relatively small, making it ideal for desks, shelves and windowsills.

It does not need constant watering and is generally happier when the compost is allowed to dry between drinks. It also copes well with bright indirect light.

It is a good little plant for frequent travellers because it takes up very little room and does not demand much attention.

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