Well, I've had a ficus for the last couple years. I've brought it to the brink of death before but always manage to rescue it in the 11th hour. All of my OUTDOOR plants, though.....forget it. They're toast.
I have a huge hibiscus that is near 10 years old - flowers the size of - well the size of - well you know a nice size!
And I have a plant called elephant's foot that grows really slow and it is finally about 2 feet high - started at 3 inches!!!!