Houseplants are a great way to brighten up your home, but you have to make sure you’re taking proper care of them to ensure their continued thriving. Improper plant maintenance and forgetfulness can lead to your plants wilting and dying early.

However, if maintaining your houseplants is falling down your priority list, one home hacks fan shared an unconventional method to keep on top of watering your plants. Carolina McCauley told her TikTok followers that she discovered a hack in “a weird corner of the internet” — but now swears by it. All you’ll need is a sandwich bag.

How to water houseplants

Carolina wrote in the caption: “Ever forget to water your plants… for days? (Same.) This super simple hack keeps your plants hydrated without you having to think about it.”

Carolina uses a reusable sandwich bag full of water to do the job. She instructed: “Just fill a sealable plastic bag with water, poke a tiny hole, and place it near the base of your plant. It slowly drips out and waters the soil over time — no babysitting required.

“It’s low-effort, budget-friendly, and surprisingly effective for busy weeks, travel, or when your plants just aren’t your top priority.”

Simply fill the sandwich bag with water, sealing it. Then poke a tiny hole in the bag with a pin or needle.

Nestle the bag of water in each of your plant pots, and allow the water to slowly release into the soil. Carolina described it as the “easiest” plant hacks she’s ever tried. 

She praised the hack for being able to keep plants hydrated without overwatering. The Royal Horticultural Society also shared some tips to keep houseplants hydrated, especially when you’re away on holiday.

It suggested covering the plants with a clear plastic bag, sealing it closed. This allows water vapour to be collected and recycled by the plant.

This trick works well for short-term absences. You can also increase the humidity in your house to stop the plants from drying out.

Michael Gill, a plant care specialist at Patch Plants, told Good Housekeeping: “When moisture is released from one plant, it can be absorbed by the surrounding plants."