Excitement builds as the winter break approaches and you dream of relaxing and rejuvenating your spirits, but what about your classroom plants? How do you ensure that your vacation doesn’t turn into their funeral?

Long breaks can be a challenge for indoor plants, but with a little planning, you can keep your garden growing while you’re away. Start by determining the conditions your plants will face. What will the temperature be? Will the school turn off the heat completely? How much light will be available? Do you have windows? Grow lights? Cooler temperatures and lower light conditions will actually work in your favor because they slow plant growth and decrease water needs. Many of our common indoor plants are tolerant of dark conditions for a short time, but they may be sensitive to temperature extremes. 

Based on the conditions available, there are a number of ways to help your plants survive your absence. They may not be at their peak when you return from break, but most will rebound quickly. Here are some ideas for helping your green friends tough it out for a few weeks so they’ll be there for you to nurse back to full health on your return:

• If there will be no heat during the break, move plants away from the windows.  Although they will get less light, they are more likely to survive light stress than freezing temperatures. Heating mats may be an option, but they should not be left on for long periods of time.
• If your plants are sensitive to low light levels (such as vegetables), place them in a GrowLab with an automatic timer so the lights will continue to turn on each day. The lights will also provide some heat.
• Do not fertilize before leaving. Fertilizing the plants will cause them to spend energy on new growth and increase their stress.
• If you usually water your plants once a week, water them thoroughly before you leave and they’ll probably survive for a second week (although they will be a bit stressed). If your plants require more frequent watering, you may want to:
              - Set up a slow-drip watering system using a product like aqua spikes.
              - Set up a wick system similar to those used with hydroponics. Click here for an example.
              - Repot into larger containers (although not too large). The additional soil will hold more water for the plants to access.
              - Make a tent around the plants using clear plastic (either around individual plants or groups of plants) to increase the humidity level and slow water loss due to evaporation. 
• Decrease your plants’ water needs by reducing their mass. Before vacation, have students take cuttings from large plants to pot up as presents. This “haircut” will decrease the amount of water the parent plants need.
• Offer plants up for adoption. Encourage students to take advantage of a great learning experience by taking plant “guests” home for the break. Their “guests” will make a fun addition to their home environment, too.
• If you’re growing annual plants such as salad vegetables, plan to harvest them before the break, then compost any remaining plant matter and soil before you leave. Start fresh with a new crop when you return.
• Finally, check to see if anyone will be making rounds at the school for security reasons and ask if they would be willing to look in on your plants while you’re away.