Houseplant Vacation Care

Taking care of your houseplants while at home only to leave them to die when you're on vacation doesn't make much sense.

The main thing that your plants need while you are away on vacation is water. Be sure that person knows that he or she should not over-water or you will come home to your plants suffering from root rot.

Here are some suggestions for taking care of your plants while you are on vacation:

• Ask a friend to turn foliage plants a quarter of a turn every few days to prevent them from becoming lo-sided.

• Close the door of the rooms where plants are to prevent drafts. This will also prevent any pets from knocking them over or eating them.

• Check that plants are not infested with pests of diseases a week before vacation. If they are, treat them immediately.

• Place large plants on a sheet of plastic in the center of the room. Place each pot in a saucer filled with water.

• Close curtains, especially those on south facing windows during summer time.