I didn’t have a specific plan for my free time in Tucson on Monday; all I knew was that I wanted to explore some nurseries. I visited a couple of them, and then a memory from last year flashed in my mind – a nursery I had missed out on. I immediately headed there.

And let me tell you, the moment I walked in, I was utterly overwhelmed. The place was a paradise for plant lovers, with a stunning array of plants, from hoyas to philodendron and cacti.

I had been eyeing a philodendron micans for a while, but it wasn’t until I laid eyes on the colossal hanging basket that I felt the urge to buy it. It was massive, and for $45, it seemed like a fantastic deal.

But the real surprise came when I encountered the sansevieria section. There was a sansevieria sayuri priced at $100, which I politely declined. However, my attention was immediately drawn to a sansevieria whale fin that another shopper seemed to be contemplating. I discreetly watched, hoping she wouldn’t pick it up. Eventually, she opted for a bird nest sansevieria, and I quickly made my move. The whale fin had numerous baby plants sprouting all over.

Here’s the twist – I didn’t buy it, even though it was only $30! I left the nursery empty-handed, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the choice between the micans and the whale fin.

On Wednesday, after work, I decided to return to the nursery but not before visiting a cactus nursery first. At the cactus nursery, I had seen smaller whale fins, but I was set on getting a larger one.

Around 2:30 pm, I arrived at the nursery where the larger whale fin had been and made a beeline for the sansevieria section. There it was, waiting for me! I grabbed it and didn’t let go. An event coordinator at the nursery admired the whale fin and shared her love for sansevierias. She had recently purchased a four-foot one for her growing collection.

The ride back to my place was smooth, with the whale fin safely secured in the backseat. Now, I need to decide where to display this beautiful addition to my plant family.

I can’t believe it – I now own a whale fin! 🪴🐋