Hi there - We are thinking of signing up as house owners. We do have a dog, but for the first trip we’ll be taking (about a month long starting late Aug) our dog will join us. Still, it would be good to have someone stay in our home AND we need some weekly or twice weekly plant watering. So far I haven’t seen anyone who needs just a housesitter (despite the name of this app!). I assume that pet sitting is NOT a requirement? Thanks!
Hi @SGinSD
Welcome to the forum! 
Pet sitting definitely isn’t a requirement. There are plenty of members who are happy to do house and plant sits, especially for longer stays like a month.
When you create your listing, just make it clear that your dog will be travelling with you and that the main responsibilities are looking after the house and watering the plants. It’s also worth mentioning how often the plants need watering and whether there are any other simple tasks, such as collecting mail or putting out the bins.
House-only sits can be particularly appealing to some sitters, including working nomads and others who enjoy having a comfortable base without daily pet care responsibilities.
Good luck with your first listing!
My most recent sit was primarily to take care of a complex much prized garden, there was also a cat 
but he was very independent so hardly needed any input. Be specific about the level of skill required to take care of home/garden…and
sitters will find you. Getting the tone right as a newbie as sitters see this as an equal exchange, they’re not staff/housekeepers.
I got my last sit due to me sending photos of my Allotment- evidence that the HOs prized plants would survive!
Consider installing an automatic watering system for the outdoor plants. We’ve found even the most efficient and responsible sitters may not adequately water some of the plants that are stressed, brownish or dead after we return from a long holiday.
I’m a dual member sitter and owner and have no pets, just a few plants to water. A “no pets” sit is very popular with many sitters, so you shouldn’t have any problems.
I would think a no pet sit would be popular. For travelers there would be no time restraints or getting up early to walk the dog. Sitters here can see sits by categories. As a sitter I can click homes with no pets and it will show me all the hosts just requiring house sits with no pets to care for. There are some here but they are the minority.
I know this was asked once before, the owners didn’t have a pet just a lot of plants.
I think you would be snapped up, as long as your house is in a nice location and you make a good listing with nice photos. It means the sitters(s) can spend more time exploring. If I was you though I would ensure the sitters enjoy gardening, then they’re less likely to forget to water your plants!
There are definitely sitters who would enjoy a long sit with no pets. A lot depends on your location and presentation of your home (and garden in your case) so take the time and effort in producing your listing and advertise well in advance, especially if it’s a popular time of the year.
Really think about the responsibilities and be specific. It’s easy to say “Just water plants” but does this include indoor and outdoor pot plants; how large are the garden beds? Frequency may depend on the season or weather. Any vegetable gardens? Is weeding required?
For a month long sit, what about lawn mowing?
Would you prefer someone who enjoys gardening; has experience? Make sure to read applications, sitter profiles and reviews to see if there’s reference to care of gardens.
Remember to include how you would like your home returned to you in relation to cleanliness and tidiness as this is one of the main issues that is raised by both hosts and sitters on the forum.
It’s great you’ve come to the forum @SGinSD and hopefully we’ve been able to help you.
We’ve just finished a month-long house sit! I sat for the same HO a few years ago when her cat was still alive. This time no cat, but I needed to water the big garden every few days, and twice a day during a 4-day heat wave! I’m an avid gardener and it was still a lot of work. I honestly don’t think someone who was not a plant person could have kept everything alive.
Thank you for the welcome and for the suggestions! Much appreciated.
Thank you–great approach!
We do have some landscaping on automatic watering but part of our backyard needs it. We won’t have time to do so before this trip, but the amount of hand watering isn’t overwhelming so I’m hopeful this won’t be a barrier. Appreciate the insights!
Thanks so much for weighing in!
Oh, good to know–thank you!
Thanks for the input. We’re in San Diego, California so I believe the location will be a draw, as well as the house itself. I’m hoping that if plant watering is their primary task they won’t forget! 
We’re talking maybe 2 hours a week max. But I’ll emphasize that for sure.
Auto watering isn’t good for complex gardens. It’s far better to have a knowledgeable sitter who can evaluate weather/plants condition and soil moisture.
Thanks for the suggestions! We’re in a good location (San Diego), the watering isn’t over complicated, and the yard not all that huge. No lawn. Weeding not needed unless they have a hard time ignoring any weeds that pop up! I realize you’re just pointing out the things I should include in the listing and I appreciate it–very helpful!
Good to know–thanks!
I’m both a sitter and host. I don’t have pets, I have a small garden that needs caring for when I’m travelling. I’ve posted 3 opportunities to sit my home this year and each have been filled because there’s a lot to see and do in my area.
It’s been a challenge during this heatwave so hopefully my plants will be alive when I return home. And the next sitter will have very warm weather too so I’ll be leaving her an appreciation gift.
Thanks for the input! I hope you get some relief soon and that your plants survive!