There we go again. You\u2019re heading off. To the Netherlands, a few weeks with family, or just escaping the tourist chaos for a bit. Your house stays behind. Silent. Warm. And in the corner: that one monstera, your beloved kentia, maybe even a few defiant little cuttings. They look at you the way a dog might\u2014only with leaves. And you think, \u201cThey\u2019ll be fine.\u201d Spoiler: they often aren\u2019t. Which is why I\u2019ve put together this little guide: How your plants can survive the summer in Spain. <\/p>\n
Plants are like people: they enjoy company. By placing them closer together, they create a mini jungle climate\u2014helping to keep the humidity up just enough. But be warned: no sunbathing in full sunlight<\/strong>. Especially on the south or west side of Spanish homes, the light in May is already brutal. So: <\/p>\n Speaking from experience: my areca palm once looked like it had spent three hours in a deep fryer.<\/p>\n The classic mistake: drowning your plants right before you leave \u201cjust to be safe.\u201d Don\u2019t. <\/p>\n Much better: give them a thorough, slow watering 24 hours in advance<\/em>, so the soil can absorb it evenly. And after that: <\/p>\n Plants with sturdy roots, like monsteras, can happily draw from that for a week. Palms like humid air\u2014but not a swamp. Trust me. <\/p>\n Yes, you can stick a water bottle upside down into the soil. But test the system first. Sometimes it empties overnight, sometimes it does absolutely nothing for three weeks. And if your potting soil is too compact, it won\u2019t work at all. I only use it with big plants in proper pots\u2014and only when I\u2019m there to keep an eye on it. Otherwise, it feels like asking the cat to watch the birdhouse. <\/p>\n Got someone willing to drop by? Brilliant. But don\u2019t hand them a novel. Short and clear works best: <\/p>\n I always leave a handwritten note. My golden rule: \u201cIf in doubt, look at the palm. It never lies.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n Even in Spain, plants can survive three weeks of summer with a bit less water and light. What they can\u2019t survive? Heat, sun, and soggy roots all at once. So never leave a saucer full of water under a pot. Keep it airy, keep it steady\u2014and above all, keep it simple. <\/p>\n A home with character has plants with personality. And they deserve to survive your absence without trauma. With a bit of planning, they\u2019ll be just fine. And when you return, they\u2019ll still be there. Quiet. Greener. And just a little proud. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There we go again. You\u2019re heading off. To the Netherlands, a few weeks with family, or just escaping the tourist chaos for a bit. Your house stays behind. Silent. Warm. And in the corner: that one monstera, your beloved kentia, maybe even a few defiant little cuttings. They look at ...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":12724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[386],"tags":[1838,1839,1835,1836,1837],"class_list":["post-12862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casa-y-vida-en","tag-expat-life","tag-plant-care-while-youre-away","tag-plants","tag-room-plants","tag-summer-in-spain"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Watering? Better smart than generous <\/h4>\n
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That upside-down bottle trick? Test it first! <\/h4>\n
A plant-sitter: the best system there is<\/h4>\n
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Golden rule: better a bit thirsty than waterlogged<\/h4>\n
Finally<\/h4>\n