Stuck for a last minute Christmas present? Need something unusual to give to one of your gardening friends or a house-proud relative? What about an orchid?

"Don't be daft," I hear you saying, "orchids are hot house plants, they need high temperatures, a steamy atmosphere and bags of know-how to look after them - I can't give them to friends and relatives as houseplants."

Well, yes you can, if they are moth orchids.

Moth orchids, or Phalenopsis hybrids as they are more correctly known, are quite well suited to growing in the home. You can buy them from garden centres or nurseries at this time of year, they are just coming into flower. The gracefully-arched flower spikes carry several exquisite, moth-like flowers that will last for many weeks provided they are not pollinated. Colours range from pure white, through golden yellow, to brilliant pinks and purples so it should be easy to choose a colour to suit the personality of the recipient.

Phalenopsis are originally from the lowland forests of the Himalayas, South East Asia and northern Australia. In the wild they grow as epiphytes, clinging to tree bark for support and gaining most of their water and nutrients through tough, string-like aerial roots. The forests they grow in are humid and shady.

To emulate these conditions in your living room you must keep the plants in a bright spot but away from direct sunlight. Keep the atmosphere around the plant humid by misting over daily with a hand sprayer, or by placing the pot over a saucer of water. Take care that the roots are not sitting in the water, since this will cause them to rot.

Moth orchids must be kept warm - temperatures of no less than 18C are needed in winter, slightly higher in summer. Remember too that window sills may be cooler than the rest of the room (our back room is at 20C just now, but the temperature on the window sill is only 17C) so site orchids well away from draughts and cool spots.

Water sparingly with warmed water in winter, more generously in spring, summer and autumn, adding a weak dose of liquid fertiliser once a month.

When flowering is over, cut the old flowering shoot back to within an inch of the base. Put the plant in a slightly cooler place (the back bedroom?) for four to six weeks and the shoot should start to grow again, producing a new flower spike.

In this way moth orchids may be in flower for several months of each year, making an initial outlay of around £10 per plant well worth the investment.