I have managed to keep a houseplant (Pothos?) alive for well over a decade. I finally repotted the poor thing into a better pot and gave it some fresh soil. I also rooted a piece that was too long and added that to the container. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
During the horrid heat that we had recently, I damn-near killed the impatiens plant my son and daughter-in-law gave me. I gave the wilted thing some plant food and lots of water and love, and it rebounded better than ever. I felt (and still do feel) awful, like I neglected a member of my family. I sat and talked to the plant for a while, apologizing for allowing it to get overly dehydrated in the summer sun.
I have a palm tree plant that I rescued from the clearance section of Wal-Mart last summer. It was a sad little baby, much like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. I didn't have a decent pot for it, so I dragged out my deceased cat's old litter box. I replanted it into this larger container, never expecting the little tree to survive the summer. When it rallied, I brought it into my living room for the winter, a room that gets a decent amount of sunshine especially in the afternoon, again never expecting my little palm to make it to Spring alive. I am pleased to report that the palm tree has sprung at least four new fronds this summer. I am displeased to report that the plant is still in Dodger's old litter box.
A friend gave me some cuttings from her remarkable basil plant. I tried rooting it in
water as per her instructions, and I even looked online so I knew to keep changing the water. Just when I thought there was no hope, the dang cuttings started sprouting little roots. Within two days of the first sparks of success, the basil had enough sprouts to put into soil. I planted the cuttings today and moved them outside to get some fresh air and sunlight.
I'm hoping for something other than mold. If it works, next summer I might even branch out to vegetables. Who knows? As long as I remember to water and weed, success may actually be in my future.