Black Velvet Petunia - Her name is Wednesday
Plants have held a special place in my heart for as long as I can recall. They are beautiful; they make our homes look nicer and provide precious oxygen.
My grandmother was a phenomenal plant parent.
I remember hearing her talking and singing to them. I thought it was cute, and I asked her why she did it. She replied, “When I talk or sing to my plants- I create a special connection. And my plants like it when I sing to them.”
I wish I had more interest in plants back then. I would have learned a lot from my grandma.
As I got older, I started to find the idea of having plants at home appealing. Despite my affection for them, every plant that entered my home seemed destined for the same unfortunate outcome. I was notorious for being a plant serial killer.
I thought as long as I watered them and provided some sun, they would do well. I was mistaken.
For many years, I stayed away from plants because I was afraid of killing them until I got a succulent as a present.
I resisted accepting it. I shared my questionable past with plants with my friend- but she insisted on giving me tips to care for the beautiful succulent.
I named my plants to feel and create a connection.
It all started with this succulent. His name is Elroy.
I stared at the tiny succulent and said, “How am I going to keep you alive, you tiny little thing?” Then, I remembered what my grandma said about developing a connection.
I named the succulent Elroy- in honor of my cute and tiny 14-year-old Chihuahua, who had passed away a few weeks earlier. It instantly connected me with the plant, and I felt a strong desire to keep it alive for Elroy.
Now, my plants have names. Some people may find that weird, but if that makes me a better plant parent, then I embrace my weirdness.
I placed Elroy the plant on my work desk so I could look at it every day. I put a label on the pot to remind me when to water it.
As time went by, Elroy the plant thrived and grew. I couldn’t believe that I had managed to keep it alive. One of my coworkers told me to leave the fallen leaves on the soil. Those leaves propagated and sprouted new shoots!
I was also advised to put the leaves in a different pot. Those leaves sprouted, and I got a new succulent out of them. That made me feel so happy!
After seeing my success with the succulents, a friend gave me a Hoya. I didn’t know anything about caring for Hoyas. However, getting a new plant with different needs than a succulent was a new challenge.
To keep my plants alive and healthy, I needed to do more.
Educate myself.
My plants have thrived after I started using grow lights. These are some of my plants. I have more.
I approached plant care with the same dedication I applied to pet care.
Not all pets are the same. Each may require different care depending on the breed and size.
After some research, I learned that plants have different needs depending on their species.
I watched tutorials on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. I asked my plant-loving friends for advice as well.
I joined groups online to learn more from experienced gardeners.
I learned about the importance of light, soil, water, humidity, and using grow lights. I didn’t even know there were lights for them. I like and recommend using them.
I learned that water propagation works well with some plants while others do better in soil.
An important thing to know for plant lovers who have pets at home.
T'Challa was mesmerized by my Snapdragon plant. This plant is not toxic to pets, but I still make sure they don't chew or eat it. 
I work in the Veterinary field, and I know that not all plants are pet-friendly. Some plants could be toxic or deadly to our furry companions. Please research to find out what to do or not to do if your pets ingest a harmful plant. Lilies can be fatal, so please be careful!
Plant Shopping.
Back left: Catnip plant (Meowth Vader) Back right: Boston Fern (Ferny Mercury). Front left: Spider plant (Peter Parker). Front center: Ponytail plant (Arianna Grande). Front right: Haworthia Zebra (Spike).
Armed with newfound knowledge, I decided to get a variety of plants, such as orchids, ferns, haworthias, and even a catnip plant for my cat, T’Challa.
The risk of killing them was there, but I knew I’d care for them to the best of my ability.
I learned to recognize the signs of under-watering and over-watering. I discovered that repotting plants into fresh soil was fun and cathartic. It was like a new form of meditation for me. Knowing I was giving a plant and its roots room to grow and breathe made me happy.
Create a routine.
One of the many things I learned was the importance of creating a consistent care routine. I usually do household chores on Sundays, so I incorporated plant care on my to-do list.
I don’t have a moisture meter, so I use a chopstick to check the soil moisture levels. If the stick comes out dry, I water the plant. If it comes out wet, I skip watering.
I bottom-water my plants. That means I don’t pour the water on top of the soil. Instead, I put the plant in a container to allow the plant to absorb the water it needs. This method worked much better for my plants than the traditional watering system.
Some of my plants get bright indirect light; others get direct sunlight. I rotate them regularly to ensure even growth.
I have a spray bottle because some plants, like my ferns -Ferny Mercury and Ferny Sanders enjoy being misted regularly.
My plants and flowers thrived!
This was given to me as a present shortly after my mom passed away. Beautiful, just like my mom.
As I continued to care for my plants, something spectacular happened! My plants and flowers grew, bloomed, and thrived. I was so happy that my home went from looking like a plant graveyard to a mini jungle.
I was given a cutting of a Tradescantia Flame Dancer (formerly known as a Wandering Dude, and it’s an invasive species). I had it in a cup of water for a few days so it would get used to its new environment. After that, I transplanted it into a new pot with soil. A month later, the Tradescantia, which I named Adam Sandler, had flourished! I have had it for two months, and it has grown twice its size!
Tradescantia Flame Dancer His name is Adam Sandler.
Photo by G.A. Alexander -Tradescantia Flame Dancer His name is Adam Sandler.
Invasive species plants must be planted in pots.
I also learned the importance of not planting invasive species in the ground. They will take over and push native species out, causing problems to the ecosystem and the fauna that benefit from native plants. You can see the fast growth of the Tradescantia Flame Dancer in just two months. It would’ve wreaked havoc if I had planted it in my garden.
Always check if the plants and flowers you want to plant in your garden are invasive species in your state or country.
Lessons learned
My orchid - Orchlando Bloom- Photo by G.A. Alexander.
My orchid - Orchlando Bloom- Photo by G.A. Alexander.
Have I killed any plants since this journey started? Yes. Sadly, an Echeveria didn’t survive. After careful examination, I determined that the place where I had it (my desk at work) didn’t provide enough sun for it.
The loss taught me a valuable lesson because I learned that nurturing plants is about developing a relationship with each of them and understanding their unique needs is a part of the process.
My orchids, Moira Rose and Orchlando Bloom, have very different needs than my haworthia, Spike.
Adam Sandler, my Tradescantia, grows a new leaf faster than any of my plants.
My Spring Cactus, Katniss, and my Thanksgiving Cactus, Peeta, are growing slowly but steadily. Nick, my Christmas Cactus is pickier than the other two.
My Ponytail plant, Arianna Grande, is doing fantastic!
My catnip plant is getting really tall. T’Challa will enjoy it.
My green thumb journey hasn't been easy and wasn’t an overnight success. Patience, love, research, adaptability, and observation have been part of my learning and growth process.
Each of my plants reminds me of my journey. Each has a story to tell, but they all have taught me that they, just like animals and humans, are all unique.
I may never be a professional horticulturist, and I am not an expert on plant care. But the success of my plants fueled my confidence- that is a big step for me. I look forward to getting more plants and seeing where my journey takes me.
I used to be my plants’ Grim Reaper, but now I am their green reaper!
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