It happens every July. The flights are booked, the hotel is confirmed, the out-of-office is drafted. And then you walk through your living room and look at your plants — your Monstera that just pushed three new leaves, your Bird of Paradise that is finally, finally about to bloom, your Pothos that has been on an absolute tear since the rainy season started — and you think: what am I going to do about them?
Welcome to the plant lover's summer dilemma. You are not alone.
There are two kinds of plant people in July. The ones who are leaving — frantically googling "how to keep plants alive on vacation" at 11pm the night before their flight. And the ones who are staying — quietly, happily, adding to their collection while everyone else is at the airport. This post is for both of you.
For the Travelers: How to Keep Your Plants Alive While You're Gone
The good news: tropical plants are more resilient than you think. With a little preparation before you leave, most plants will survive a week or two without you just fine. Here is what to do.
Water deeply right before you leave. Not a quick splash — a thorough, deep watering that saturates the entire root zone. Then let the pot drain completely. A well-watered plant in a well-draining pot can go 10-14 days without water in most indoor conditions, longer if your home is cool and humid.
Move plants away from direct sun. Direct sun dramatically increases how quickly soil dries out. Before you leave, move sun-loving plants back from windows into bright indirect light. They will grow a little slower, but they will need water much less frequently. You can move them back when you return.
Group plants together. Plants transpire — they release moisture through their leaves — and when grouped together, they create a more humid microclimate that slows moisture loss. Cluster your plants together in a cool, bright spot before you leave.
Use self-watering devices. Terracotta watering spikes, glass globe waterers, and self-watering inserts are genuinely useful for trips of 1-2 weeks. Fill them before you leave and they will slowly release water into the soil as it dries. Not a perfect solution, but a good one for most tropical plants.
Skip the fertilizer. Do not fertilize right before you leave. A plant that is actively pushing new growth will need more water. Keep your plants in a steady, low-stress state while you are away.
Find a plant sitter. For trips longer than two weeks, or for particularly valuable or sensitive plants, a plant sitter is worth it. Brief a friend, neighbor or family member on which plants need water and how much. Keep it simple — most people over-water when plant sitting, so err on the side of less rather than more in your instructions.
What to worry about least: Pothos, Philodendron, Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, and most succulents are extraordinarily forgiving. A week or two without water will not hurt them. Focus your pre-travel attention on your thirstier plants — Ferns, Calatheas, and anything in a small pot that dries out quickly.
What to worry about most: Ferns and Calatheas are the most sensitive to drying out. If you have these and are leaving for more than a week, prioritize finding them a plant sitter or invest in a good self-watering system.
For the Stay-at-Homes: It's the Best Time to Add to Your Collection
If you are staying in South Florida this summer — by choice or by circumstance — you have made, from a plant perspective, an excellent decision.
July in South Florida is the single best month of the year to add new plants to your collection. Here is why:
The rainy season does the work for you. New plants need consistent moisture to establish their root systems. In July, South Florida's afternoon rainstorms provide that moisture naturally and reliably. A new plant added to your garden or lanai in July will establish faster and with less effort from you than at any other time of year.
The warmth accelerates establishment. Tropical plants establish fastest in warm conditions. July's heat — which feels oppressive to humans — is exactly what a tropical plant's root system loves. New roots push aggressively in warm soil.
You will see results immediately. Plants added in July do not sit and sulk the way they might in a cooler, drier month. They push new growth almost immediately. The satisfaction of adding a plant in July and watching it take off within weeks is one of the great pleasures of South Florida gardening.
What to add right now:
- Monstera Deliciosa — July is prime Monstera season. The combination of heat and humidity produces the fastest, most dramatic growth of the year. A Monstera added in July will push multiple new leaves before September
- Bird of Paradise — establish a Bird of Paradise now and it will reward you with its first bloom within a year or two. The summer growing season gives new plants the best possible start
- Alocasia — Alocasias love heat and humidity above all else. July is their moment. New leaves emerge rapidly in summer conditions
- Pothos and Philodendron — if you want to fill space fast, nothing does it like a Pothos or Philodendron in July. They will cascade and climb at a pace that will genuinely surprise you
- Bromeliads — add color instantly. Bromeliads in bloom require almost no care and look spectacular on a lanai or in a bright interior
The Real Answer to the Dilemma
Here is the truth that every plant lover eventually arrives at: the dilemma is not really travel versus plants. It is about building a collection that is resilient enough to survive your absence and rewarding enough to make staying home feel like a treat.
The plant lovers who travel most freely are the ones who have built their collections around resilient, forgiving species — Pothos, Philodendron, Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, Monsteras in well-draining pots — that can handle a week or two without attention. And the plant lovers who most enjoy staying home in July are the ones who use the time to add something new, something they have been wanting, something that will be twice the size by October.
Either way, the plants win. And honestly, so do you. 🌿✈️
Shop our full collection of South Florida tropical plants at Green Millennium — perfect for adding to your collection this summer, or for gifting to the plant lover who is staying home while you travel.
