Attempt to save plant (6)
I believe the answer is:
thrift
This clue is a double definition.
'attempt to save' is the first definition.
'plant' is the second definition.
(Other definitions for thrift that I've seen before include "Parsimony, penny-pinching" , "Economical management of money or resources" , "Economy - sea pink" , "Carefulness with money" , "Careful spending" .)