My old roommate (mentioned last week) was really good with houseplants: At one point he had a bougainvillea vine indoors, plus he was able to get his orchids to re-bloom year after year. I’m glad I paid attention to his tricks because I can keep orchids pretty happy now, too. (The main trick: They need a drop in temperature to about 50 degrees to start a flower spike. My own hippie trick: I talk to them as I water them each week.)
Both of these guys have been with me since I moved in to the house. They got their temperature drop in the fall and lots of encouragement, and now look:
To quote my houseplant mentor: “Tropical plants blooming in the middle of winter. Now that’s quality of life.”