Few houseplants carry this much colour. Aglaonema 'Danxia' holds broad, softly pointed leaves in a deep rose red, each one finished with a fine dark green edge and threaded with slightly darker veining that catches the light. Younger leaves come through paler and blush pink before deepening, so an established plant carries several shades at once above dark, upright stems.

It is the sort of plant that does the work of a piece of art in a room, and it looks especially good against pale walls or a plain ceramic pot that lets the colour do the talking. Chinese evergreens are famously tolerant, which makes this a rare thing, a plant that is both dramatic and genuinely easy to keep.

Care at a glance

Light: Bright and indirect. Unlike the plain green Aglaonemas, the red forms need decent light to hold their colour, and they go dull and greener in a shady corner. Keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves.

Water: Water when the top few centimetres of compost have dried out, and let it drain fully. It would far rather be slightly dry than sitting wet. Ease off through winter.

Humidity: Average rooms are fine, though it looks its best with a little extra. Brown tips usually point to dry air or heavily treated tap water.

Temperature: Warm and steady, and away from cold draughts and unheated rooms.

Feed: A balanced houseplant feed monthly through spring and summer.

Note: Like all aroids it is toxic if chewed and the sap can irritate skin, so best kept away from curious pets and little ones.

As a living plant, size and leaf shape vary from one to the next, so yours will be one of a kind.