Plant sitting can be a big responsibility. But more often, it’s not that difficult. You might have a friend who takes lots of vacations and is always in need of a plant sitter. Or, you may know someone who is just too busy with their 9-5 job that they need someone to handle all the other things they can’t get to. So, before you start plant sitting, let’s learn exactly what plant sitters do. We will show you everything you need to know what a plant sitter does AND there is a fun and interactive QUIZ at the end of this article you should most definitely take! So read on and be sure to take the Quiz on “What Does A Plant Sitter Do?”. If you wish to skip right to the Quiz, you can click this link to go right to the Quiz without reading if you want to. But it’s best to practice first by gaining some plant sitter knowledge before taking the Quiz by simply reading the article.
When taking a plant sitter job for someone, make sure to keep some things in mind like: How many plants are we talking here? A couple or a jungle? And when was the last time they saw a drop of water? Wait, is that leaf falling because of me? Do I need to camp out there every day or is a drive-by watering sufficient?
First, take a deep breath. These are plants you’ll be watching over, not a baby, or a dog. That should make things a little less stressful for you. But also keep in mind that some people treasure their plants just the same. As an experienced plant sitter, I am going to give you the lowdown on what a plant sitter does without you having to lose your sanity, even if your plant parenting track record resembles a wilted lettuce. After reading this article, you’ll have all the info you’ll need to understand what a plant sitter does and how you can become an expert at it. With all that said, so what does a plant sitter do?
Find out how the owner cares for their plants and understand what they need done
Just like swiping right on a new plant pal, get the details on their everyday care routine. Are we talking daily mistings or weekly plant spa days? Clarify what’s expected before you agree to take on the job as their plant sitter. For instance, I have quite a few indoor orchids. My routine for keeping them watered is simply adding one ice cube to the pot, once a week. Pretty easy, right? This could work out for your plant sitting gig, or it could be completely different from what the owner needs. Being clear with the plant owner and finding out what they do to take care of their plants on a daily basis will take you far when it comes time to watch over their plants.
Some plants might demand more than just a sip of water. Others can go without water for weeks, like certain cactus plants. Just make sure you and the plant owner clarify what specifically their plants need to keep them alive and happy.
Make sure you have good care instructions for each plant’s needs
Not all plants are created equal, but all plant lives matter. If the person you’re plant sitting for has a rare or a high-maintenance plant, it’s best to know what works and what doesn’t. For example, when caring for African violets, always allow the soil to dry between waterings and make sure water does not get on the leaves (foliage) because it may cause permanent leaf spotting. Don’t get caught off guard by a plant’s specific needs. Ask questions with the plant owner beforehand and get the right information you need to do what a plant sitter’s got to do.
Ensure you’ve got all the necessary supplies, tools, and plant essentials handy
If the plant owner you’re plant sitting for has ferns that are on the top of bookshelves, make sure there is a ladder or a way to access the plants ahead of time. Do they require fertilizer? If so, check with the plant owner and see if they have their own plant fertilizer in the house, or if you need to supply one, make sure you have the correct fertilizer ration. Why is this important? Well, fertilizers with higher ratios are more concentrated than those with lower ratios, so if you see high numbers, you’ll want to dilute with more water before fertilizing your plants. Some fertilizers, like Orchid fertilizers, come in the correct ratio amounts. This is important because too strong of a fertilizer concentration can kill the plant permanently. Also, make sure the nutrients are what the plant needs. Gardenias, for example, require acidic soil so a fertilizer like Miracid is perfect for them. Always check with the plant owner to make sure they even need to be fertilized.
Do the roses need to be pruned of their dead flowers and if so, will you need pruning shears and gloves? Ask the plant owner first. This will allow you to gather the essential tools and supplies you need to make being a plant sitter easy. More often, a simple watering will do the trick for someone needing a plant sitter. Just remember, planning things out in advance like this will allow you to map out the plant sitting routine to avoid problems with plants and their owner.
Observe the dryness of the soil
When in doubt, let your fingers do the talking. Stick a digit into the soil and gauge its moisture level. Wet? Give it a pass. Dry as the Sahara? Douse it generously. It’s the golden rule of what a plant sitter does.
The finger test which is simply just poking your finger in the soil and seeing if it is dry is a good indicator of letting you know if the plant needs water. If the soil at the surface of the pot looks dry, you can also pick the pots up to determine their weight. A lighter pot indicates that the soil could be in need of some water. Remember to always go by the plant owner’s care instructions first, of course.
When to water some plants
Watering a plant might sound like a quick task, but trust us, it’s a commitment. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to care for some picky plants that don’t like too much water. The snake plant does better without water for a couple of weeks and the ponytail palm prefers to be watered only once a month in the winter time! Pitcher plants and ferns generally need water every day, on the other hand. And if the person you’re plant sitting for has a bamboo that grows in water, you’ll almost always have to add more water to it at least every couple of days depending on how long the air conditioning is running and the dryness of the air in the house. All of this is important and is part of what a plant sitter does.
Plan your plant sitting time accordingly
I get it, we are all in a rush nowadays. Life comes and goes so quickly. The same will go for you when you land your plant sitter gig. The reason I say this is because if the person you’re plant sitting for happens to have a bunch of plants, you might need to spend a little more time on each one. You don’t want to rush through the watering process because you can end up causing a bigger mess that will eat up more of your precious time. I’ve seen it before, somebody quickly watering their monstera just to see the pot’s water tray overflow and spill all over the carpet leaving dirt and water stains all around. Rushing through a plant sitter job can cause you more time if you do it improperly. It’s better to take your time and water the plant accordingly and slowly, with a water container, so you don’t spend more time cleaning up. Watering one plant is simple, but taking on a bunch can be more time consuming. Don’t spread yourself thin and make sure you are charging correctly for your valuable time and service.
Always send an update to the plant owner
In this day and age, everyone has their phone at their side. The best thing a plant sitter can do is send daily updates on how their plants are doing. Snap a picture and send a little note letting the plant owner know what you did for the day and keep them in the loop so they can also monitor the health of their plant. And if you’re up to it, you can even send them some video of their plants. That will bring a smile to their face and also brings peace of mind to them and ensures trust between you as the plant sitter and the plant owner. Who knows, if you do a good enough job, you could be their regular!
I hope this article helps solves the question, “What does a plant sitter do?” If you’re interested in learning more about what a plant sitter does and if you’re cut out to be one, take our quiz below. It’s fun and will help you hone your plant sitting skills!
TAKE THE QUIZ: What does a plant sitter do?
This quiz will test your knowledge to see if you have the skills to be a plant sitter. Take the quiz now and see if you are able to do what a plant sitter does! Scroll down a little bit more, and click the "Start Quiz" button to begin!
