Green Thumb

We were straightening up around the apartment, and I realized I hadn't watered the plant my cousin gave us as a housewarming in a while.  It had stayed pretty green (see image below), so I assumed Ken was probably watering it and between the two of us, we hadn't killed it in the full month we'd had it. 

Well-maintained house plant

I was impressed with its life-span because the plant at my office didn't fare so well. 

My boss gave me a purple orchid (go Huskies) on my first day of work, and after thinking, "Wow, people are so nice here," I thought, "Shit, I'm going to kill this thing in a week."  I have heard orchids are difficult to maintain, and I know nothing about taking care of them.  Within a couple of weeks, all the blossoms and leaves had fallen off.  I kept the dead plant on my desk for another 2-3 weeks because I felt badly throwing out a gift.  I also hoped that it would inexplicably spring back to life despite no access to direct sunlight.  Or water.  Why would I water a dead plant?  Given the oppressive environment, it didn't revive and I finally threw out my potted stem.

Don't worry.  In no way does this imply that I will be a bad pet-owner or mother.  Animals and babies kindly remind you that they need to be watered, while plants are pretty quiet about their needs.

Because of the tragic demise of my orchid, I was pleased that the house plant was staying so green, but was concerned that no one was watering it regularly.  I didn't know how long it would hold up.

I brought it over to the sink, and while filling the pot asked Ken if he'd been watering it and admitted that I wasn't doing a great job.

"Ashley, that plant isn't real."