Plant of the Week: Alocasia

Houseplants are having a moment right now, but it can be off-putting to take on a plant when you’ve never tried gardening before. So dip your toe in the water with this fantastic easy-care evergreen, giving you the full jungly foliage effect with minimal fuss.

 

Don’t be put off by the unpronounceable name: Alocasia. They don’t mind shade, though they do best in humid environments – the bathroom is alocasia heaven. Even better, they’ll clean and purify your air: US space agency NASA found they absorb both benzene and formaldehyde.