What plants

We  have found that Cactus plants are the only plants that survive here without water!

Steve 

Geranium, no, and worse in pot. But you could buy a little irrigation system, with programmer. And then, you could have any plant, even in pot.

There is another system which can fit with your 6 weeks out, like bottle full of water or some clay material inserted in the pot, freeing little water for maybe 10 days.

I've had success with succulents after a few months away and cacti will survive almost anywhere.

If you're looking to maintain thirsty plants for 6 weeks then you'll need to look at some form of irrigation. I wouldn't recommend the garden tap timers as these can become furred up with minerals from the water and either fail in the closed position, or even worse fail in the open position. 

One easy way is to suspend the potted plants using a frame (we used an old bbq rack) above a tank/storage box full of water. Cotton string (5mm thick or so) is threaded into each pot from below and sufficent length left to reach the bottom of the container. Use polythene to slow the evaporation and cut small holes to allow access for each piece of string.

Also look into "Self irrigating planters", it's quite easy to make your own.

Don't understand your problem with irrigation, we use it in agriculture. Mineral in water is common in all water of the world. In torrevieja and around, the water come from desalination plant. The programmer need electric supply, but we find it with battery, and last a long time.

Succulent don't need so much watering, and could wait 6 weeks, but the choice of plant is limited.

And for the cotton tip, not suitable in warm and hot season. There is this solution, for large pot, or in the soil directly, called Oya : https://www.natureetdecouvertes.com/fstrz/r/s/cache.natureetdecouvertes.com/Medias/Images/Articles/93059260/3615525640968_P1.jpg?width=610&height=610&frz-v=631

The problem with mains irrigation is that there's no one to monitor it for the 6 weeks that the OP is away. 

One of our neighbours left a programmed water timer on his solarium tap while he was away for a few months. The device malfunctioned and water flooded his solarium and entered his apartment due to the drain becoming blocked. His furniture was ruined and he had significant repairs to make to the structure. To add insult to injury, his water bill was enormous.

I use an old loft tank with a programmer to irrigate some plants. If the device fails the most water that can leak is whatever is left in the tank.

A brand new irrigation programmer should work correctly. The irrigation tubes are black, and with the sun, it becomes warm and then, the connections could jump with the water pressure, the tube beeing soften. Just protect the tube from ray sun.

Yes a tank could be a secure solution with a programmer, but the tank should be in a hight position I guess, then the gravity makes it flow each time the tape is opened.

I bought the solar powered irrigation system in Aldi for €40. It was working perfectly when we were there. Will be over next week and will update you if it's been successful. We do have a neighbour thou keeping an eye. We have bougainvillea orange lemon tree and yukkas in pots so hopefully they will be ok. 

Hi 

Looking for some advice on a few potted plants , I've bought lavender, Citronella for pots to keep mossies away but having

plants & clay will it attract other unwanted crawlies . Just moved here for good and learning 

Thank you in advance for advise

Angie

“Mother in laws tongue” aka sansevieria certainly don’t need much water and can go a a good 1-2 month without a drink if they aren’t in the sun all day long .  Mine are on a breezy east facing balcony with sun until 2pm in summer . I water them once a month cos it’s easier for me to remember lol  …about 500 mils…..less in winter.