Hello,

bought 3 of these lovely bright green pine-like plants in a garden centre. Unfortunately, they were not identified, just sold as "exotic houseplants"...I would like to give it proper care, so I would really be grateful if someone could tell me what exactly are they.. They have a really vivid, bright green colour..

I don't know what it is. But I wanted to say

to ATP sharkfur!

Um, I think you got took. Those are NOT houseplants. And exotic? Hardly. They look like YOUNG Arborvite or Juniper or Cedar or Leyland cypress.

I'm really not good at identifying plants but it reminds me of Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa 'Wilma') also called Lemon Cypress: http://www.bing.com/images/sea...

Welcome
I'm pretty sure that is exactly what that is, I have only seen one as a bonsai tho

Yes, they are sometimes trained as Bonsai: http://www.bing.com/images/sea...

I'm not sure how fast they grow but with root and branch pruning they could probably be kept to a small size.

White Flower Farm's website says it can be grown indoors: http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com...

This site shows a photo of Lemon Cypress with a miniature garden theme, cute! http://www.chigiy.com/the_gard...

Another possibility:
Sawara Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop')
Sawara Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Pincushion')

I wanted to start by saying sharks don't have fur and those are not house plants, but since you are new here you may not get my sense of humor.

I like your bookshelves! Have you just moved into a new place? (Sheesh, am I nosey, or what. ) Do you have a patio or a yard for these three little trees?

Looks like it could be Monterey Cypress; possibly 'Goldcrest'.

I found an article in Country Living Magazine suggesting that the Cupressus macrocarpa/Monterey Cypress sold as mini-indoor Christmas trees can be a good houseplant.http://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/advice/g1341/indoor-gardening/?slide=7

To paraphrase that line in the movie 'Jaws'....you're gonna need a bigger house.

OH, thank you so much for all your helpful comments! I thought it was some sort of dwarf pine tree type, that will not really grow bigger, given how they sold them as houseplants... wow... Let's hope I can contain them until we move to a house with a big garden :)

Thank you!