One glimpse of the delicate beauty of a butterfly-like orchid flower and you'll be smitten. These heartbreakingly lovely houseplants may look exotic but they're easy to grow if you follow a few simple rules.

In the wild orchids live in rainforests as epiphytes, taking nutrients from the air through fleshy roots. So never bury your plant's aerial roots and keep them warm - a minimum of 10°C, even at night - and humid (mist every day with tepid water). Give them a bright windowsill out of direct sunlight and water weekly, adding orchid fertiliser every third watering, and they should produce those ravishing flowers for many years.