How should I take care of houseplants when I go on vacation?
In summer, plunge the pots of all those that can be moved outside, in the garden. Water well. In winter, remove flowers and buds which sap the plants’ energy. Do not lower the house temperature too much. Before you leave, water plants well, and if you are to be gone several weeks, set the pots in a box of sphagnum moss so they will not dry out fast. Enclose those plants which require a lot of humidity in a tent of polyethylene film, but leave this a bit loose so air can get in to discourage fungi. Of course, the safest way to care for your plants is to ask a neighbor to keep an eye on them. If you do this, be sure to leave instructions.