Leaf Lady

My mom has been a snow bird for the last several years.  She heads down to Florida after Christmas and stays there until my sister and her family drive down in the early spring to drag her home to the frozen tundra (also known as the state of New York). But I've had the pleasure of "fetching her back" a time or two.  Three years ago on our way back north, Mom and I stopped in Nashville to see my daughter.  We went to the Opryland Hotel like good tourists and were surprised to see this verdant young creature gliding around the shops. 

 I have just two questions:  

 1.  Why?

     

 2.  Does she have to be watered?