I started my growing career outside and found very quickly that little weed plants are delicious to wildlife... The best thing to do for them if you're gonna leave em that long is put some chicken wire surrounding the whole plant, that at least cuts out the larger pests... and bury the pot to the level inside the pot if it's dry, this helps keep the humidity up and requires less water unless it's in a swamp somewhere. NEEM oil often if needed but not towards the end... And most important of all don't rely on that one plant being there when you go back to harvest, it's best to spread them around... Lots of weed to smoke at the end!