Me vs. Plants - garden of secrets

Boys and girls, I’m on a flower mission! 🌸🌼

Here’s the deal... I’m terrible at keeping plants alive. I never know how much water they need, what temperature makes them happy, or even what they’re called. To top it off, I constantly forget to water them. Right now, I only have one plant left because, well… let’s just say I have a very special talent for accidentally killing them. Yep, it’s my fault. 😅

My friend, bless her patience, kept gifting me plants over the years. None of them survived. Last year, she gave me a new plant and said, “If this one survives, I’ll give you another.” So now, this lone survivor is my pride and joy. When its leaves start turning yellow, I panic, because if it dies, she’s going to give me “the look.” 😬 But guess what? It’s still alive and growing! 😊🎉

Now that I’m planning to have a garden, I’ve decided it’s time to learn about flowers and plants. I don’t just want a veggie patch, I want my garden to be beautiful with flowers too! 🌻 I’m really hoping I can make this work. Fingers crossed! 🤞

I started scrolling through old photos of flowers and plants to learn their names, figure out how to care for them, and decide if they’re “me-proof.” If a plant needs too much attention, I’m skipping it. Let’s be real...I’m not going to suddenly become a plant whisperer overnight. 😅

My husband isn’t thrilled, he knows how this usually ends. He even got me Lego flowers once because, as he says, “At least these can’t die.” 😂

But this time, I’m determined. With a garden of my own, I’m going to make it a place full of life and color.

So, here’s the plan: I’ll share pictures of flowers I’ve taken (mostly at the botanical garden in Madeira, with a few from Amsterdam) Since we live in a time where your phone can identify plants with a photo, I figured, why not give it a shot? I’ll try to name them and figure out how to care for them. And here’s where you come in! Let me know if I got the names right, or wrong. I’m counting on your help! 😊

Oh, and don’t even think about suggesting cacti. I’ve killed those too. Yep, even the “indestructible” mother-in-law’s tongue didn’t stand a chance with me. Apparently, it’s called that because it’s tough, but I managed to prove it wrong. 🤷‍♀️

Agave - or just cactus

So, let’s see how many flowers I can identify. What do you think—any plant out there that’s truly me-proof?

Let’s go on this adventure together, and who knows? Maybe this time, I’ll finally become a plant mom who doesn’t end up with a plant graveyard. Wish me luck! 🌺

almost 100% sure this is palm - Cycad Palm! 😂