A burst of slender stems topped with tiny, creamy-gold pom-pom flowers, rising from a neat rosette of grassy leaves – like a little firework frozen in time. Presented in a decorative gold pot, it makes a quirky, eye-catching gift, and the flowers can last for months.

Also known as: Mikado Plant, Golden Pipewort

Origins & folklore: Syngonanthus chrysanthus comes from the sandy, nutrient-poor wetlands and marshes of Brazil, where it grows in damp, boggy ground with plenty of light and humidity. It belongs to the pipewort family (Eriocaulaceae) – an unusual group of plants rarely seen as houseplants – and chrysanthus means 'golden-flowered'.

Its name 'Mikado' comes from the game of pick-up sticks, because its straight, slender flower stems look like a handful of sticks dropped onto the table. The flower heads are naturally papery and long-lasting, which makes them feel almost like everlasting flowers.

Size: Delivered in a 10cm plastic nursery pot, sitting inside a decorative gold pot.

Care guide
•    Light: Bright, indirect light. Gentle morning sun is fine, but harsh direct sun can scorch it.
•    Watering: Keep the compost constantly moist – this plant must never dry out. Use rainwater, filtered or distilled water, as it is sensitive to the minerals in tap water. Lift the nursery pot out of the gold pot to water, let it drain, then pop it back – don't leave water sitting in the bottom of the decorative pot.
•    Humidity & temperature: Loves high humidity – a bright bathroom or kitchen is ideal, or stand it on a tray of damp pebbles. Happiest between 18–26°C; keep above 15°C and away from draughts and radiators.
•    Feeding: Very little needed – a heavily diluted feed once or twice in summer at most.
•    Good to know: Snip off flower stems at the base once they fade. The Mikado can be a little short-lived indoors, but with soft water and good humidity it will reward you with flowers for many months.

Toxicity: Non-toxic. Considered safe for people, cats and dogs,