We’ve talked before about how I couldn’t keep a plant alive even if my own life depended on it. I’ve killed every plant I’ve ever owned, including succulents which, from what I’ve heard, are a plant you have to basically TRY to kill they’re so easy to maintain.
I wasn’t trying to kill them, I promise.
We’ve had a few remaining succulents that survived the great plant massacre that was our succulent planter, and I have kept them in three different planters in the windowsill of our kitchen, hoping that would give them enough sunlight to survive. One pot of succulents is doing okay, one is a cactus and seems to be unaffected, and the other…well, let’s just say they didn’t survive.
This past week, I left my old school to start a new teaching job that is closer to home, and on my last day one of my friends at work gave me some flowers as a goodbye gift. And, of course, it wasn’t just a bouquet of flowers – it was two little planters full of plants that I’m supposed to actually keep alive. Lovely.
The flowers spent about two days in my care before they started looking like this:
I don’t know much about flowers, but I know they’re probably not supposed to look like this. I had Corey do some research and we are pretty sure they’re sunflowers – which means they need a lot of sunlight. So, I’ve put them in the location of our old succulents in the kitchen window (it gets light all day long) and I’ve been watering them frequently. I’m just crossing my fingers at this point that I’m able to keep them alive longer than a week. Poor flowers.
The other plant has fared a little better so far. It’s just some pretty greenery with no actual flowers, and it seems to be a bit hardier than the flowers. I have no idea how to take care of it either, but it’s doing okay with a little bit of water and some indirect sunlight every day, so here’s hoping this one might actually survive.
Do you have a black thumb like me, or are you actually able to keep plants alive for more than 24 hours? Any tips to help me keep these plants going? I’d love to keep plants in the house, but I just don’t think I’m capable!
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Comments on this post
I am by no means an expert, but the flower looks like a gerbera. It looks like one without any drainage aswell. Are there holes in the bottom of the pot for excess water to drain away? I fear you may have overwatered it?
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Amanda Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 7:24 am
There are drainage holes! I may be watering it too much, though – I have no idea how much it needs. I should do some research haha!
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I’ve killed my fair share of plants as well. In fact. I’ve now killed Lucky Bamboo TWICE! (two different sets of plants) That’s another tough plant to kill.
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Amanda Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
It’s so good to know I’m not the only one with a black thumb!!
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Ugh I’m so sorry!! No advice from me because I am in your same boat. I got a gerber daisy plant after Elliott was born but it is no longer with us
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28. March - 7:02 amI’ve managed to kill a number of plants, including cat grass, an aloe plant and two out of three mimosa trees that were transplanted from my parents’ house down in Maryland last summer. I didn’t kill those poor trees by not watering them though. I was quite diligent about that actually. No, instead, I ran over them with my lawn mower! They were itty bitty (three inches tall max) when I put them in my yard, so it’s my own fault that I simply forgot they were there! The one I did not run over though has grown to be about 2 feet tall now.
I agree with Sarah that the flowers look overwatered. You may need a new planter that allows for some drainage. I hope you can save them, they look very pretty!
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28. March - 7:25 amI’ve also had some bad luck with succulents. I have a chair planter that was full of them, and about 1/3 died. Considering I watered/sunned them all the same, I’m just going to blame it on the plants
The others are doing great! Though I’ve had some trouble with growing things from seeds too. It’s never really worked. But! This is the first year I’ve tried growing veggies, and I started out with onions and garlic. They’re like magic plants. I just popped them in the front planter, and they’ve taken off! Maybe you should get yourself a pack of onion bulbs to boost your confidence too 
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28. March - 8:50 amI think you may be overwatering or underwatering? If in Direct sunlight In a warm room then succulents should be watered once a week. If not in direct sunlight in a cooler room they can be watered less.
As far as the daisies go, they should be in direct sunlight, make sure you pick the dead leaves off and that no leaves or flowers are planted below the soil, that causes rot. Also only water enough to keep the soil damp. A light watering twice a day or once a day should be fine
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Amanda Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I’m probably over-watering…I know that’s how I killed our succulents, haha. Thanks for the advice!
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I’m *so* the same way. My thumb is black, and it’s like any plant/flower/living thing in a pot that enters my home is destined to be killed. My sweet sister sent me two bromeliads and an orchid when I had a recent accident, and I listened SO carefully to the delivery guy about their care. The orchid is dying, and the bromeliads’ green leaves are turning…well…yellow. Sigh. I’m hopeless!
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28. March - 10:07 amLong-time member of the black-thumb club–I’ve killed 3 rosemary bushes over the years, and those things are pretty hardy.
Mom was going to get me an Aero-Garden for Christmas this past year but as much as I’d dearly love a little herb garden, I’m afraid I’d just kill those, too–even with the machine doing most of the work! lol
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28. March - 10:18 amI always joked to my husband that it’s amazing to me that I could make a baby because I couldn’t keep a CACTUS alive! My thumb is completely black.
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28. March - 10:22 amI’m so terrible at growing things that one of the items on my 30 Before 30 list is “Plant a garden (flowers or vegetables) and actually keep it alive”. It would be that monumental if I managed.
So unfortunately no advice from me, just commiseration!
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28. March - 10:52 amhaha i feel ya. I was never very good at keeping plants alive, I need things that ask for food (i.e. pets). Plus, now that we have cats– they eat plants anyways. So its a good excuse to not have them around
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28. March - 3:52 pmPlants are a lot work, but so worth it when you get the hang of it.
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29. March - 6:29 amBlack thumb, all the way. I’m hoping to change that soon!
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29. March - 10:59 amI was gonna say the same – they look like gerbera daisies to me, but it’s hard to tell without seeing the inside of the flowers. I think most house plants just need one good watering per week, plus lots of sun. Good luck!
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31. March - 7:04 pmI kill EVERYTHING that comes into the house. Any plant that comes near me is doomed to die a quick ugly death. That can’t be a good sign, right?
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9. April - 9:01 pm