Confession: I’m terrible at keeping house plants alive. We’ve had a thriving, bountiful garden outside, but my indoor plants? I over-water. Or I put them in the wrong light. I leave them in the cold of fall too long, shock them to death when bringing them inside. My husband thinks I’m silly to keep at it, but I just can’t help myself. I love the way plants add color and life to indoor spaces.
There’s actually something affirming about a dogged dedication to this thing which does not come naturally. I know I may fail yet again, and I’ve decided it’s okay. Each plant I drag home, I wonder, How long will you be with me? A season? A couple of years?
I’ve learned a few things along the way. The plants I’ve kept alive include cacti and a Zamioculcas. I seem to fare better with plants who prefer drying out between waterings.
In making my plant choices, I’ve been less ambitious. To replace my latest victim, a Shefflera, I only considered plants marked as resilient. (Thank goodness for garden centers who mark them this way!) I have withered away a fair number of more delicate plants — clearly I need to build success with more tenacious varieties first.
Welcome home to my latest, a fine looking Sansevieria. I look at this living thing with hope. This is the one I can manage, the one I’ll look back on in awe when I can’t remember how long it’s been in my life.
Should I fail, I will keep at it. Even if I have to buy a few house plants every year for the rest of my life, my house will always be marked with some bits of green life.