Plant of the Week: Aglaonema

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: aglaonemas are also known as Chinese evergreens, which perfectly describes their lush, elegant leaves, often edged in vivid scarlet. They don’t mind shade, though they do best in humid environments – the bathroom is aglaonema heaven. Even better, they’ll clean and purify your air: US space agency NASA found they absorb both benzene and formaldehyde.