Here's a trick I've heard to use if you have a bad camera, I've tried it and I think it works LOL
Set your camera on the 'close up' setting. If it's a Kodak, it's the 'flower' symbol
Next, stick part of your finger over the lens, and zoom on what you want to take a pic of
Gently press the picture button so it does the auto focus thing, try and get it to focus on your plant area. This is going to make the camera think something is in the foreground, and it'll try and focus on what's in the distance if you shoot correctly. Once you autofocus on your plant, take your finger away from the lense and finish pressing the button to take the pic. *Note; don't lift your finger off of the picture button because it'll have to refocus.