How do I leave care instructions for a plant sitter while I am away?
Last updated: 8 October 2026
Write the instructions down, one plant at a time. Say where each plant lives, how much water it gets and when, and what to check first. Extension services advise clear written instructions and a plan for who checks, and how often.
What extension services say
- UC Master Gardeners (El Dorado County) advise asking a friend or neighbour, setting a regular care schedule, and preparing clear written instructions with a map of which plants need what. Asking two or more people to team up helps. [UC Cooperative Extension: So You're Going on Vacation](https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2020-01/318210.pdf)
- UF/IFAS says having someone care for your indoor plants is a good idea. If plants are too big to move, the sitter should visit at least once a week. For more than 4 weeks away, UF/IFAS recommends sending plants to the sitter's home, because pests can get out of hand on stressed plants. For one to two weeks, self-watering containers are an option. [UF/IFAS: Vacation Plant Care](https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/outdoor-living/vacation-plant-care/)
- Illinois Extension says for an extended vacation, ask someone to check on the plants regularly. [Illinois Extension: Houseplant care](https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants/care)
A checklist for the sitter
- Plant name and where it lives, such as "Monstera, living room window".
- When to check, and how much water to give.
- How to check: push a finger one to two inches into the soil. Water only if it is dry. [Illinois Extension: Watering](https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants/watering)
- Plants that like to stay on the dry side, so the sitter does not water them by habit.
- Which plants are toxic to pets, if animals are in the house.
- Your phone number and a backup contact.
Before you leave, water as usual and walk the sitter through the routine once.
How Verdling's care sheet does it
Verdling's plant-sitter care sheet is a PDF made from the plants and schedules already in the app. It is a Pro feature.
- One row per plant: the name, where it lives, and a watering instruction. The instruction says how often, a rough amount in cups, and the next watering day, for example "Next water Tuesday: ≈ 1.5 cups, then every 9 days." If a plant is due now, it says "Needs water now."
- It uses the interval you have set for that plant, so your own edits carry through.
- It prints your note for the plant. Use the note to write "water only if the top inch is dry", or "leave on the dry side".
- When a plant is linked to a species, it adds a safety line, such as pet-safe or toxic to pets.
- It covers watering only. It has no photos, feeding, misting or map, so add those by hand.
Without Pro, you can write the checklist above yourself. Pro is a one-time US$9.99 purchase in the US, with no subscription. Other countries pay local prices. Verdling is free for up to 7 plants.
Verdling's schedules are suggestions, and the finger test comes first.
Your plant records are stored locally. No account is required. Crash and performance diagnostics are on by default and can be turned off in Settings.
Verdling is live on Google Play. iPhone and iPad are submitted and waiting for App Store review.
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Related questions
- Is the care sheet free?
- No. It is part of Pro, a one-time purchase. Everything else on the checklist you can write by hand.
- Does the sheet include feeding or misting?
- No. It covers watering, plus your note and a safety line.
- Can my sitter see my plants in the app?
- No. There is no account and no sharing link. You hand over the PDF.
Verdling is a Trueframe Digital app. No account, and your records stay on your device unless you back up or export them. See the Verdling page for screenshots, the full feature list, prices and privacy details.