The Unexpected Hack That Will Keep Your Houseplants Watered While You're Away

Renting a gorgeous mountain house on Airbnb and going away for a few days to recharge your soul might seem like a good idea until you turn to your thriving indoor plants and realize they'll slowly wither away without receiving water. So, you set out to convince your neighbor, bribe your friends, or incentivize your family to water your plants while you're away. But if it's more work than you realized, use the bathtub hack to keep your houseplants hydrated in your absence.

Simply fill your bathtub with a few inches of water and set the pots on top of a couple of towels. The bathtub setup will take five minutes at most and won't cost a penny. However, there are two caveats to this unexpected hack. One, the plants should love moisture (like tropicals do) and need it round-the-clock. Otherwise, you risk root rot. Two, this hack is conducive to plants requiring low sunlight unless you have a window in your bathroom that can fulfill the plants' sunlight needs.

Begin by plugging the drainage hole in your bathtub and turning on the tap. Once the tub has 2 to 3 inches of water, turn off the tap and grab a few towels (even old ones would do). Now, place them on the tub's surface and give them a few minutes to absorb the water. This will prevent the pots from scratching the smooth surface. After the towels are sufficiently damp, get your houseplants and set them on top. That's it; you're done.

Your houseplants will draw in water through their roots to keep them adequately hydrated. Plus, the grouping and the lack of direct sunlight will increase the room's humidity and slow down evaporation. If you don't have a bathtub, a sink or large container works, too. That being said, keep in mind that this hack will keep your houseplants hydrated for only a week. If you intend to go away for longer, it's best to enlist your neighbor or friend's help.