The Green Page:

During the Covid-19 lockdown, we - along with a lot of New Zealanders - grew our 'green family'.

We now have a lounge that resembles a mini jungle. My biggest worry over the summer is being sure our plants survive and thrive while we are away for a bit of a holiday.

The solution we found is not particularly cheap, but neither is replacing plants that die of thirst.

Step 1

Water the plant on top of the soil, not through the reservoir supply shaft for at least 3 months. This is the growing in phase.

At the bottom of this page is a volume guide.

Do not over-water your plant. Dryness encourages the roots to grow into the system.

Step 2

Once you have completed the growing in phase, fill the reservoir. If you have a less thirsty plant, only fill it halfway. If you're unsure, just fill it two-thirds up.

Step 3

Wait until the indicator reaches the minimum, then leave for a further 2-10 days. Warmer and drier conditions mean a shorter interval. A large planter, like a Classico 43cm, will need a longer interval.

Step 4

Re-fill the reservoir and repeat step 3, it's that easy!