I'm wondering if it's safe to leave my heating mat plugged in while I'm away for several days. I've heard mixed opinions, so I could really use some advice. How hot do these mats usually get, and should I be worried about leaving it on?
3 Answers
I prefer to unplug mine while I'm gone. It's just not worth the risk. If you have to leave them on, consider putting your seeds in a sealed bag and placing it somewhere safe, like next to your fridge or router to maintain warmth.
It's usually okay if you're not super worried about the soil drying out. But cheap heating mats can sometimes create hot spots and lead to problems like melting containers. I personally wouldn't leave it unattended just to be safe.
Honestly, I've had my heating mat on for weeks without any issues—my seedlings are thriving! But I would check how hot your specific mat gets. If it's just warm and not too hot, you might be fine, just keep an eye on it when you can.