Three tropical houseplants with big, dramatic leaves: a variegated dumb cane, an African mask plant and a rubber plant.

Dieffenbachia 'Compacta' is a bushy dumb cane with broad oval leaves patterned green and cream. Alocasia 'Polly', the African mask plant, has dark green arrow-shaped leaves with bold silver-white veins and purple undersides, and is the most sculptural of the three. Ficus elastica 'Robusta' is the classic rubber plant, with large, thick, glossy deep green leaves on an upright stem. Together they make a bold, leafy display for a living room, bedroom or office.

All three want bright, filtered light out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves. Let the top two to three centimetres of compost dry between waterings, water less in winter and never let the pots stand in water. They like warmth, between about 16C and 24C, away from cold draughts and radiators, and they appreciate humidity, so mist them or stand the pots on trays of damp pebbles; the alocasia needs this most. The alocasia may drop most of its leaves and go dormant over winter, which looks alarming but is normal, and it shoots again in spring. Feed every two to four weeks in spring and summer and wipe the big leaves now and then.

Supplied as three plants in 1 litre root balls, ready to pot into your own containers. All three are harmful if eaten. The dumb cane and the alocasia are toxic if eaten and toxic to pets, and their sap is a skin and eye irritant; the dumb cane's sap causes painful swelling of the mouth and throat. Keep the set well away from children, cats and dogs and wear gloves when handling cut stems.

Cultural Information

Common Name: Dumb cane, African mask plant and rubber plant

Fully Grown Height and Spread: Dumb cane 60 to 90cm, alocasia 30 to 50cm, rubber plant up to 2m indoors over time

Growth Habit: Bushy upright, compact sculptural, and upright tree-like

Perfect For: Living rooms, bedrooms, offices and bright shaded corners

Foliage: Broad green and cream variegated leaves, dark arrow-shaped leaves with white veins, and large glossy green leaves

Flowering Time: Grown for foliage

Planting Position: Bright to medium indirect light indoors

Soil Type: Free-draining, peat-free houseplant compost

Hardiness: Tender, indoor only; keep above 15C

Maintenance: Moderate; needs humidity, warmth and careful watering

Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage

Type: Houseplant collection of three plants