Coming home from holiday: How I nurse my plants back to life

Written By Natasha Rainey

I’ve literally just walked in the door after two weeks in the USA — chilly but sunny San Francisco and Seattle, plus some dry desert energy of Vegas. While I was enjoying a gorgeous US winter while my plants were sweating it out in a humid Auckland summer. My suitcase is still by the door, I’m still wearing airport clothes, and yet… my first instinct is to rush over and see who survived without me.

You’d think after all the flights and time zones I’d deal with my own hydration first, but nope — the plants get the attention. Every time.

Step 1: The quick scan (aka the Moment of Truth)

I do the slow, slightly anxious lap around the house.

Who’s droopy? Who’s crispy? Who’s thriving like they threw a party while I was gone?

Everything always looks a little dramatic at first, so I try not to worry.

Step 2: Water… But not too much

The guilt-watering urge is strong, especially after abandoning them in peak humidity for two weeks, but I’ve learned to resist. Instead, I check each pot first…

  • Bone dry = a slow, careful drink

  • Damp = leave it alone

The succulents and cacti? Honestly acting like they didn’t notice I left. Iconic behaviour.

Step 3: Gentle grooming time

Much like me after long-haul travel, my plants need a tidy-up.

  • Snipping dead or crispy leaves

  • Plucking off anything yellowing

  • Giving the leaves a good dusting

  • Rotating the plants that got a little lopsided

  • Check for pests (because Auckland summer + humidity = mites living their best lives)

Instant glow-up.

Step 4: No fertiliser (yet)

Don’t fertilise immediately out of guilt - stressed plants don’t want a buffet. Wait

1–2 weeks until everyone looks lively again, then they go back to the normal feeding schedule.

Step 5: Assess the sensitive ones.

There is always one plant that looks like it’s had a rough couple of weeks. Check its stems…

  • Firm stems = hope

  • Mushy stems = probably gone

I’ve accepted that sometimes a plant just… taps out. And that’s okay.

Step 6: Relax

Once the triage is done, I make coffee, flop onto the couch, and enjoy the quiet satisfaction of getting everything (including myself) back into sync.

Plants bounce back.
I bounce back.
And any that didn’t? Well… that’s a perfect excuse for a trip to Bunnings!

Tell me: what’s the first plant you check when you get home from a trip?

I would love to hear other plant‑parent rituals.

xTash

Natasha Rainey
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