'Hotel for plants' helps Brussels residents on holiday

A "plant hotel" in Brussels is offering to look after residents' household greenery for free while they are away on summer holiday.

Plant owners can bring their potted flowers, herbs and vegetables to art centre Recyclart, where they will become part of a 10-metre-tall installation as part of the centre's Holidays festival.

"Recyclart has launched many projects for and with the neighbourhood, and the idea of keeping the plants for neighbours was on the cards for some time," project assistant Theo told Le Soir.

Plants often wither away while their owners are away, hence Recyclart’s project. That, and to spruce up their event with greenery.

A team will look after watering throughout the festival. The installation is outdoors and exposed to the elements, so not suitable for all plants. To register, contact theo.recyclart@gmail.com

The Holidays festival runs until 5 August, with concerts, workshops and games.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for somewhere to look after a cat, options include Le Charaton in Ixelles and Hôtel Carotte in Uccle. For dogs, try Les Truffes en Vacances, Cleb's Med, Pento, Okazoo or Holidog.