We’ve all been there: you finally book that long-awaited holiday, pack your bags, and head out the door—only to return home to a sad, wilted jungle of house plants gasping for a drink. Unless you’ve got a green-thumbed neighbour or a reliable house sitter, keeping your indoor oasis alive while you’re away can feel like a losing battle. But what if we told you there’s a clever $3 Bunnings hack that could help keep your leafy friends happy and hydrated?

Aussie mum and professional homemaker Sophie Webb recently took to Instagram to share her simple, budget-friendly solution for watering plants while you’re away. Her trick? An 'easy drip system' made from a humble ziplock bag. Sophie fills the bag with water, pokes a tiny hole in it with a toothpick, and places it in the pot. The idea is that the water will slowly drip out, giving your plant a steady supply of moisture while you’re off enjoying your break.

Sophie’s followers were quick to praise the hack, calling it a 'brilliant idea' and vowing to give it a go on their next trip. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good DIY solution—especially one that costs less than a cup of coffee?


But before you start raiding your kitchen drawers for ziplock bags, it’s worth hearing from the experts. Sydney’s own 'Plant Guy', Jan Gettmann, weighed in on the hack and, well, he’s not exactly a fan. According to Jan, while the concept is clever, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. 'There needs to be some sort of valve or mechanism that controls the flow of water,' he explains. 'The bag is just going to empty pretty quickly, causing your plant to sit in too much water, which will lead to root rot.'


Root rot, for those new to the world of indoor gardening, is the silent killer of many a house plant. It happens when the roots sit in water for too long, essentially drowning the plant and causing it to rot from the bottom up. Not exactly the homecoming you want after a relaxing holiday!

So, what’s a plant lover to do? Jan recommends investing in self-watering spikes, which are designed to slowly release water over time. You can pick up a twin pack of Indoor Drip Spikes at Bunnings for just $3.12—barely more than Sophie’s ziplock bag hack, but with a lot more control. These nifty gadgets let you attach a water bottle and adjust the drip rate with a little dial, so you can tailor the watering to your plant’s needs and avoid the dreaded root rot.

Jan admits that calibrating these systems can be a bit fiddly, since every plant has different needs depending on its species, size, pot, and environment. But once you’ve got it set up, it’s a much more reliable way to keep your plants happy while you’re away. 'Might as well just pour a glass of water over it and not ruin the plastic bag,' he jokes about the ziplock method.


Of course, not everyone is ready to go full ‘plant parent’ and invest in gadgets and calibration. As Jan points out, sometimes it’s less about hacks and more about community—asking a friend or neighbour to pop in and water your plants can be the simplest (and most social) solution of all.

But for those who love a good DIY or want a backup plan for short trips, the Bunnings drip spike is a game-changer. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not experiment with both methods and see what works best for your indoor jungle?

A few extra tips for keeping your house plants alive while you’re away:- Move your plants out of direct sunlight to slow down water evaporation.- Group plants together to create a mini greenhouse effect and retain humidity.- Give your plants a good soak before you leave, but don’t overdo it.- Consider using mulch or pebbles on top of the soil to help retain moisture.


At the end of the day, whether you’re a seasoned plant whisperer or just trying to keep your peace lily alive, there’s no shame in trying a few tricks to keep your green friends thriving.
Have you tried any clever plant-watering hacks? Do you swear by the Bunnings drip spike, or do you have your own secret method? Share your tips, stories, and plant survival tales in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!