Saturday, November 10, 2007

A Story: Mom's Autumn Fern


Last Thanksgiving, my mother gave me an offshoot of her autumn fern.

"These are practically unkillable," she added.

I brought it into work and it thrived.

Then, a long weekend vacation in February left it alone - without watering. I returned to find it totally dried up.

I brought it home to compost (sniff!). But my laziness on another level left it sitting in our kitchen. For weeks.

And it made one of the most amazing comebacks I have yet to witness. Looky here.

The autumn fern. Live it. Love it. Learn it.

Or, kill it and it still loves you back. How's that for unconditional?

5 comments:

Jean said...

This is the kind of plant I need, really. As unkillable as I am good at killing plants.

Steph said...

Yup, me too. I need an unkillable plant or two.

After many years with no houseplants, I am thinking it might be time to try again. Perhaps I am responsible enough to water a plant. I am raising two children, surely I can take care of a plant. Right?!

Maybe I will put the bossy older child in charge of the plant.

Tracey said...

Jean and Steph,

I'm thinking of doing a blog series - this winter - on the really easy houseplants. Put to the real test by *me* - killer of all things that try to thrive inside. More soon . . .

Anonymous said...

Tracey, I bought a teensy autumn fern at the wild plant sale this spring and put it in a pot on the deck. Think it will live through the winter outside in the pot? Yours is beautiful!

Betsy (trying to expand the easier-on-the-back container gardening)

Anonymous said...

Never tried leaving the autumn fern outside after the first threat of frost..but it thrives in a bright spot indoors..actually sends up more fronds..and it doesn't drop leaves!