"Without losing its essence! A Cuban from Tampa is fixing up the garden of his house, and here's how it's turning out: 'Americans have a kind of war with this.'"

A Cuban in Tampa transforms his garden, documenting the process with humor on TikTok. His innovative design and storytelling captivate the community, inspiring a friendly competition among neighbors.


A Cuban resident in Tampa, Florida, decided to take on one of the most common —and feared— challenges faced by those living in American neighborhoods: having an unkempt yard. And like a true criollo, he not only got to work but also documented the entire process in a humorous, natural, and highly authentic self-narrated video. The result is already making waves on TikTok.

"Today I went a little crazy and decided to tear out all the plants because I'm going to completely change this garden," he begins narrating in the video posted on his account @rick_roxy. What’s the reason? According to him, in his area, "Americans have a kind of war with gardens," and when they pass by his house, they look at it as if to say, "What is this?"

The video showcases the entire process: from the start of the grass to the creation of a circular design with a elephant foot plant in the center. According to him, the goal is to watch it grow into "a lush, beautiful, and wonderful tree."

The post quickly went viral thanks to its light and spontaneous tone. Many users identified with the scene and eloquence of the narrator, while others praised the garden's design and offered suggestions to enhance it, such as placing a wooden bench in the center of the circle.

"The narration is the best," "A respectable Cuban works in flip-flops," and "OMG is beautiful" are some of the most notable comments. The community also celebrated the effort and the outcome, assuring that it is "looking nice."

Ricky explained that the ultimate inspiration came from the friendly competition among neighbors: “I focused on the inside and moved away from the front, but I saw the neighbors chatting in a garden war, in a very good vibe... and I thought to myself: I have to step up, because my house can't be the one that makes the neighborhood look bad. Especially since I'm new here.”

With a promise to continue the project, their followers are already awaiting the second part of the transformation of Tampa's most Cuban garden.

Frequently asked questions about the transformation of a Cuban's garden in Tampa

Why has the video of the Cuban in Tampa gone viral on TikTok?

The video of the Cuban in Tampa has gone viral due to its light and spontaneous tone, showcasing the process of renewing his garden with humor and authenticity. His experience resonated with many users who identified with and were entertained by the storytelling and the transformation of the outdoor space.

What motivated the Cuban to renew his garden?

The Cuban decided to renovate his garden due to the friendly competition among neighbors regarding the appearance of their gardens. He didn’t want his house to be the only one with a neglected garden in the neighborhood, especially since he was new to the area, which motivated him to undertake a complete transformation of the space.

How do you plan to continue the garden project?

The Cuban has promised to continue with the garden project. His followers are looking forward to the second part of the transformation, which could include suggestions from the community, such as the installation of a wooden bench in the center of the circular design he has created.

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Izabela Pecherska

Editor at CiberCuba. Graduated in Journalism from the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid, Spain. Editor at El Mundo and PlayGround.