Quick Answer
Harvesting water from living vegetation involves using plants that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, such as aloe, agave, or bamboo, and techniques like transpiration, leaf stripping, or extracting from roots.
Gathering Water from Transpiring Plants
Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the air. You can harness this moisture by placing a clear plastic bag over a plant with leaves that are transpiring heavily, securing it with a rubber band, and collecting the condensed water that forms on the inside of the bag. This method can collect up to 100 milliliters of water in a day.
Harvesting Water from Plant Stems and Roots
To extract water from plant stems and roots, dig up the plant or cut it close to the base, and then use a sharp knife or a specialized tool to strip the bark from the stem or tap the roots to release their stored water. For example, an aloe plant can store up to 20 ounces of water in its leaves, while a bamboo stem can contain up to 10 liters of water.
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