Three big-leaved tropical houseplants sold together, giving glossy green, bold arrow shapes and cream variegation in one go.
Ficus elastica 'Robusta' is the classic rubber plant, upright and tree like, with large glossy dark green oval leaves. Alocasia, the elephant's ear, throws up large arrow-shaped leaves on tall stems and is the drama of the group. Dieffenbachia, dumb cane, is bushy and upright with broad leaves marked in green, cream and white.
All three want bright indirect light and none of them will take direct sun on the leaves. Keep them between about 16C and 24C, well away from cold draughts, and water when the top two or three centimetres of compost feel dry, easing off in winter. They want moderate to high humidity, so mist them or stand the pots together to make their own damp pocket of air. Feed every two to four weeks in spring and summer. Wipe the leaves; on plants this size dust builds up quickly. The alocasia often drops most of its leaves and goes quiet over winter, which looks alarming and is normal.
Supplied as three established plants in 1 litre root balls, ready to pot into containers of your own. All three are toxic if eaten and their sap irritates skin and eyes. Dieffenbachia is the serious one: the sap causes painful swelling of the mouth and throat, so keep it well away from children and animals and wear gloves if you take cuttings.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Rubber plant, elephant's ear and dumb cane
Fully Grown Height and Spread: Ficus to about 2m; alocasia 40 to 90cm; dieffenbachia 1 to 1.5m indoors
Growth Habit: Upright tree like, upright clump forming, and upright and bushy
Perfect For: Living rooms, hallways, bright corners and warm rooms
Foliage: Large glossy dark green; large arrow-shaped deep green; broad green, cream and white
Flowering Time: Grown for foliage
Planting Position: Bright to medium indirect light indoors, out of direct sun
Soil Type: Free-draining, peat-free houseplant compost
Hardiness: Tender, indoor only; keep above 15C
Maintenance: Moderate; wants warmth, humidity and steady watering
Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage, with the alocasia often resting in winter
Type: Houseplant collection of three plants
