Tips for bringing the outdoors in

House-plant fashions change and, of course, I'm hopelessly behind. WHEN indoor plants were all the rage in the 70s I had several - not just because they were trendy, but because it was far too cold in Dunedin to grow them outside. We called them pot plants in those days. I grew the legal variety.
Once I discovered real gardening, I rather lost interest in house plants and now I have only one - a tenacious peace lily that has been with me for at least 10 years and refuses to die, despite being alternately drowned and dried out on an embarrassingly regular basis.
It's currently covered in builder's dust (that kitchen renovation again) but has a stubborn look on its face that tells me it's not going to give up.
So I'm going to give it some company. A flick through a few home magazines during the cold spell we've been having has convinced me that my interior decor will be hugely improved by the stylish positioning of a few well-chosen pot plants.
However, house-plant fashions change and, of course, I'm hopelessly behind. My earliest ones were piggy-back plants, asparagus ferns, spider plants and something we called wandering willie, which we nurtured in hanging baskets and which today I destroy because in the north it's an invasive weed that makes the dogs itch. In the 90s, I progressed to the desperately trendy dracaena, followed by yucca, but this time around I was stumped. However, further research in the magazines has revealed that it's either all about retro, or all about the containers, the grouping and the texture.
I'm not looking to revisit ficus in damp-bottomed terracotta pots that leave rotting circles on your Berber carpet, so here's what I've gleaned thus far about pot plants for the new century.
First, unless you're in a 1950s bungalow, cactus in a glazed round pot perched on the windowsill is not going to do anything for your decor. Instead, group your plants. Three spindly whatevers, in white pots spaced out along your blonded sideboard, will look understated and elegant.
If you have enough blonde in your living room go for some impact with a gang of brightly coloured pots and add coloured foliage for even more drama. Stomanthe are tropical plants that provide vibrant colour indoors as long as you protect them from direct sunlight.
Bromeliads are also dramatically colourful and they love life indoors. Just keep the well in the centre of the plant topped up with water and the reward will be strong foliage and extraordinary flowers. Broms like humidity, so set a shallow bowl of water nearby. If guests are expected, float a few blossoms on top.
Cyclamen - a retro choice but virtually foolproof - are great table decorations. Throw them outside at night and remember to deadhead before putting them on display.
If you don't want to look like your grandmother with old-fashioned cacti, try some euphorbia. These versatile succulents come with dramatic foliage. Put them near a window so they grow evenly.
If you're into the retro look, build a giant planter box (great for separating your living/dining/kitchen areas) and fill with big plants in hidden plastic pots.
A planter box is ideal for a group of dracaena which, while a child of the 90s, is still a fabulous, architectural plant. The twisted trunks are stunning, the spiky tops add real impact to your decor and these days they come with a variety of variegated leaves.
Similarly, kalanchoe look great repeated along ledges and in troughs. They flower for long periods and don't mind being ignored.
You simply must have a pot plant in your bathroom, and the two best choices are either maidenhair ferns or small, flowering orchids. Either will look incredibly classy against white tiles.
TIPS

* Healthy house plants can absorb potentially harmful chemicals from the air. Dracaena, chrysanthemums and ivy are all good at it.
* Indoor plants need help during winter months because they need humidity and sunlight. Either mist daily, place near an indoor water feature or fountain, or put a basin of water nearby.
* Make sure your pot plants get enough sun. Move them around the room to catch a few rays and remember to rotate so each side receives sun.
* Don't repot during winter or your plant will be encouraged to grow to fill the extra space - a tall order in winter.
* Water plants less in winter and don't fertilise. They'll actually enjoy the rest, since this is their natural time for taking it easy.
* Add plant-dusting to your housework regime. Dust will prevent the leaves from absorbing air and sunshine, so keep them clean. Just wipe gently with a damp cloth.