Just joined this site - looks nice.
Okay I have a question - I have just bought a new flat in London, which unfortunately doesn't have a garden.

Any ideas for beautiful in-house plants. I'm bored of my ex-student yukkas and I always end of killing bonsai?

Thanks
Rossa

Rossa, if you never remember to water your plants then try something that comes from the desert! Mother-in-law's Tongue and Aloe Vera are both pretty indestructible - they don't need loads of watering or sunlight, plus they look really striking, especially if you put them into an unusual container. Or what about different types of ivy in an outdoor window box, if you don't have a garden? Either way, you don't have to be green-fingered!

I agree with Anna about the mother in laws tongue, particularly if it is the variagates type, but if watering is your problem why not try a bottle garden or terrarium. How about air plants, some of them are really quite pretty, and quite a talking point when you have guests.

Air plants - good idea Paulene! I've just found out some quick facts on them which make them suitable for the least green-fingered amongst you!

*They're also known as epiphytes, and are really hardy.
*Although they don't need much watering, it's actually hard to over-water most varieties as they originate from a jungle atmosphere.
*Lots of varieties have really colourful bloom - and you can separate the shoots after flowering for new plants.
*They can live in virtually anything, which means you can have fun with containers - empty vases, cups, driftwood etc.

I would try Orchids - see message I have already posted on another topic on brightening up a flat - the Phaelo**** types can be neglected... but if you are not into watering much I would go for geraniums - lot of lovely varieties out there and they thrive on neglect - it is usually overwatering that kills them... I rarely water mine - maybe once a week in summer and once a month in winter and they bloom their heads off for me - remember that they originate in the med... if they get out of hand you just cut them hard back and they soon start sprouting again... I've tried air plants and they dont like being on hard surfaces but prefer back etc... and in centrally heated homes need misting from time to time otherwise they tend to dry up and die...

If you have somewhere to put it then Devils Ivy (Epipremnum) will serve you well... not too difficult to look after... wants good but indirect light, water it regularly (once every two or three days in summer) and it will grow all over the place... you just need a shelf for it You can get ones like mine with lovely yellow/green leaves.

Monstera (Cheese Plant) is another easy one to look after, it is common but still very attractive, it wants good watering (but it sits on the floor so not too difficult to throw some water at it), again, indirect light, and give it a dusting every now and again.

Aspidistra, is insanely easy. I dug one out of the planter in the foyer of my building... put it in my room, I water it every now and again, and it's growing new shoots.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis) is another one you can just put somewhere and watch grow... Again, indirect light, plenty of water, and an occasional misting.. doesn't need a nice pot as it will soon obscure the pot, gives a lovely 'rainforest' look to the corner of the room you put it.

Now all you need is a splash of colour... something I'm looking to as well... I have a Calamondin Orange tree... got it from Ikea, not expensive, put it in the sunniest place available and water it every couple of days... it bursts into small white flowers every month or so and then they die, then they come back, then they die, so on... and the small oranges are a lovely touch to the place.