With the end of the year approaching, many people are getting ready to travel, and for those who are fans of keeping plants and flowers in their homes, a question arises: what can be done to prevent the plants in the house from dying during the period of absence? After all, it is not always possible to take them with you or ask a friend or neighbor to take care of them. With this in mind, florist Creuza dos Santos prepared a list of basic care steps to keep flowers and plants healthy for longer , even without daily maintenance. 1. Know your plants
Casa Alva, por BC Arquitetos CASACOR São Paulo 2021 / (Denilson Machado/CASACOR)
The first step before leaving home is to analyze the profile of the plants you have and compare it with the time you will be away. “Every plant needs water, but each type has its own particularity regarding the frequency of watering. Cacti and succulents, for example, do not require a daily humidification routine and can go without water for up to two weeks without danger. The important thing is to know how that works for the species you have at home and look for alternatives to maintain the watering routines they already receive”, explains the professional. 2. Look for alternatives to watering
Loft de los Cinco Sentidos, por Carla Canepa CASACOR Peru 2019 / (Rodolfo Sotelo/CASACOR)
“There are drippers , small devices that release water little by little, and depending on the model, can keep the plant irrigated for up to two weeks. There are also self-irrigating pots , which connect the plant to a water source and allow it to draw the liquid according to your needs”, he indicates. 3. Don't move plants around
Casa LG ThinQ assinada pelo Estudio Guto Requena- CASACOR SP 2021 / (MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)
It is very common for people to place plants closer to windows or change their location when they travel, but this may not be a good idea. “Each environment offers different conditions for plants and, consequently, different needs. A small change of location can offer more wind, more or less light, more or less humidity, and the plant’s response will be altered . The ideal is to keep them exactly where they are used to being, so the chance of them not getting sick is much greater.” 4. Use special products
Estúdio HUM. Paula Neder e Coletivo PN - CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2019 / (Divulgação/CASACOR)
There are also fertilizer options that can help keep plants moist. “A great alternative is planting gel , it absorbs and retains large amounts of water and fertilizer, keeping the soil supplied for much longer and reducing the need for watering plants by up to 50% ”, adds the florist. 
