Are you taking a vacation away from home this summer? Don’t forget about your potted plants, both indoors and out. Here are 6 clever and practical ideas for watering your plants while you’re away.

1. Pebble Tray

Photo: Secrets of a Seed Scatterer

Line the bottom of a shallow tray with small rocks or pebbles. Fill the tray with water so that it is almost to the top of the rocks. Place potted plants on top.

2. Damp Towel

Place a damp/wet towel underneath the drainage hole of your plant pot.

3. Water Your Plants with a Wine Bottle

Photo: The Greenists

Rinse an empty wine bottle and fill with water. Standing next to your planter, quickly turn the wine bottle upside down and insert the neck down into the soil beside the plant. Make sure the neck is at least several inches underground.

4. Damp Newspaper

For large plants, place several layers of damp newspaper over top of the soil.

5. String Watering System

Photo: Wake Up Susie

Fill a container with water, set it next to your plant and run a cotton string from the water to the plant soil. The string connecting the plant and the container full of water will continuously carry water to the roots of the plant.

6. Use Diapers to Keep Your Plants Watered

Photo: The Hidden Pantry

Before you leave for vacation, re-pot your plant and place diapers on the bottom of the pot. The diapers will keep your soil moist for days!