Get your seeds and baby plants from nearby gardeners in your area. They can tell you what grows best and how to care for the plants. Plants you buy at big-box retailers are often grown with artificial controlled climates and/or lots of chemicals to help them survive. I always like to try new plants that seem interesting while i'm shopping, and grab an impulse buy, but the long-term success rate for these experimental plants is less than 50/50 survival rate. However plants or seeds that you get from other members that come in the mail will have a higher chance of becoming your "new favorite plant."