Percy started strong, a vibrant green beacon of hope in my otherwise plant-free apartment. But then, disaster struck. I went on vacation, completely forgetting to ask a friend to water him (sorry, Percy!). I returned to a sight that made my heart sink: Percy was drooping dramatically, leaves brown and crispy at the edges. He looked…dead.

Ready to accept defeat, I almost tossed him out. But then, a glimmer of hope: one tiny green shoot near the base. Deciding he deserved a fighting chance, I trimmed back the dead leaves, repotted him with fresh soil, and apologized profusely. To my surprise, Percy rallied! He bounced back stronger than ever, a testament to the power of resilience (and maybe a little guilt-tripping from me).

Percy’s near-death experience taught me a valuable lesson about life: Sometimes, what we perceive as the end is actually an opportunity for a fresh start. It’s about focusing on the remaining spark, nurturing it, and believing in the possibility of regrowth.

Lesson #2: Consistency is Key to Keeping Houseplants (and Yourself) Alive

Now, I’m not going to lie, keeping a plant alive still felt like a Herculean effort. Some days, I’d stare at Percy, willing him to magically photosynthesize himself back to full health. But, slowly, I developed a routine:

• Watering Wednesday: Every Wednesday, Percy got a good soak, followed by a dramatic serenade (don’t judge, it seemed to work).
• Sunlight Saturdays: A sunny spot by the window became Percy’s weekend retreat.