Terrariums and succulent gardens are often heralded as THE plant for the black-thumbed gardener. Succulents are fairly low-maintenance. They don’t even like water all that much.
And yet, I’ve managed to kill all of my succulents but one.
The ugly one lived. Of course it did.
Once upon a time, the girls and I created a charming little terrarium for Easter. The teensy wooden bunnies played hide-and-seek in between the fat green succulents.
Errmmm….. I think hide-and-seek is over. I don’t know that it ended well.
The last remaining plant has grown to quite the height. At first, I thought that this was due to the fact that he was thriving. Just like we praise big babies, I looked at my leggy plant and thought, “Good for you. You’re growing so much!”
Turns out, plants normally gain height very quickly because they’re searching for a light source. Succulents like the sun. What I thought was “sunny enough” was actually the “shaded area of death”.
Of course, I admit that this hot mess is all my fault. I failed my wooden bunnies. I let my succulents – somehow – dry up and wither into those ugly tortured souls in Ursula’s cavern (seen Little Mermaid, people? You’ll know what I’m talking about).
Sometimes you’ve got to tell the truth. My thumb just got a teeny little black spot on it.
I might just dump this whole mess out into the compost and put a fish in this bowl. Fish are pretty hardy, right?
Don’t Miss Another Suburble Fail! They Happen… Unfortunately.
21 comments
Kirsten @ One Tough Mother
Don’t worry sweetie – I have a very black thumb myself…hence the reason I haven’t even TRIED a succulent garden. (And thanks for the Little Mermaid reference. Now I’ll be humming “Poor Unfortunate Souls” all day. Yee Haw.)
Maybe you can give your little wooden bunnies an artificial flower home to play hide-and-seek in from now on! You can’t kill those! 😉 XOXO
Tara
I’m *this close* to just hiding the wooden bunnies in the cupboard until next Easter. I don’t know that they’d mind. They seem pretty depressed right now with this never-ending nap they seem to be taking.
(And yes, who doesn’t love a good Little Mermaid reference? Ursula is fantastic!)
Mel
I might be able to keep a plant going but I’ve killed so many fish I’m banned from all pet ownership. It’s okay these things happen cheer up.
Tara
Yes, you have a bright green thumb, don’t you? I’ve had good luck with fish in the past, but then, I owned all of my fish prior to having children. I wonder if this time might be less successful?
Amy of while wearing heels
Ha!
Fish are hardy…and probably would do better out of the sun 🙂
Tara
I’m thinking that I’d probably have better luck with a goldfish.
Even though they have a reputation for going belly-up at the randomest times. 😉
Bronwyn MayB
I’ve killed every plant I’ve ever had. Even the ones they claim are kill proof. Succulents are the WORST for me. I love that there is someone else who shares my ability to destroy mother nature like I do!
Tara
Isn’t that funny? I have some plants that have tolerated me for years. But my succulents? Pffft… they didn’t even try.
Quitters.
Emily
I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only person who has those fails. Sigh, how long are succulents supposed to live anyways?!
Tara
I hope that they’re not supposed to live longer than a few months. Then I’m right on target! 😉
Inspire Me Heather
I’m sorry but I’m laughing – not at your dead plants but at your post! Thanks for keepin’ it real and here’s to the ugly one that survived!
Tara
Yep. Long live the ugly one. He’s the tallest and the strongest, apparently. And has exposed roots.
I’m an awesome plant-mother.
Danni@SiloHillFarm
Oh no!! I’m afraid the same thing may happen to mine when I bring it in. It’s been happy outside all summer…but fall is just around the corner.
Tara
I’m sure that you will be able to keep yours alive. It’s some sort of plant curse that I have. First I drowned them, and then it looks like I deprived them of all of their necessities of life. It takes a special talent! 😉
Kenz @ Interiors by Kenz
bahahahahaha. We are the same person. I have killed literally EVERY thing I have ever planted. I love you.
Tara
I’m just totally amazed that I killed succulents. It’s like killing a catcus. Or a rock.
It’s really something special. House plants should properly fear me now.
Shari
Too funny, only because this would totally be me. It’s the reason that the only two plants that we have in this house are made of material and plastic. Good talking to ya earlier! We will talk again soon!
Tara
Oh, I love that you have faux plants! I didn’t notice that you did, then. I must have thought they were real.
Maybe that’s what I need to do: scout out some high quality fakes!
Carrie @ My Favorite Finds
Awww, it’s okay :). No worries! I’d probably kill them too. Hence the reason my hubby is the gardener in our house!
Marilyn
Tara, succulents and cacti aren’t always all that easy to grow! I remember when I was about 10 getting a cactus. Well, I knew that plants and light need water to survive….well I learned that too much of a good thing isn’t all that good. I over watered my cactus and it exploded….I was devastated!