Velvety, heart-shaped leaves with a bronze shimmer that seems to change colour as you walk past. New leaves unfurl with a coppery-red blush. Let it trail from a shelf or train it up a moss pole and watch the leaves grow bigger as it climbs.

Also known as: Velvet Leaf Philodendron, Sweetheart Plant, Heartleaf Philodendron

Origins & folklore: The heartleaf philodendron grows wild in the tropical rainforests of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America, scrambling up tree trunks towards the light. The name Philodendron comes from the Greek philo (love) and dendron (tree) – a 'tree-lover', for the way it hugs its host. Hederaceum means 'ivy-like', describing its trailing habit.

'Micans' is Latin for 'shimmering' or 'glittering' – the perfect name for those silky, sparkling leaves. Its heart-shaped foliage has made it a favourite gift between sweethearts and a much-loved houseplant for generations.

Size: Delivered in a 12cm plastic nursery pot.

Care guide
•    Light: Bright, indirect light. It will tolerate a shadier spot but loses some of its shimmer; keep out of strong direct summer sun, which can scorch the leaves.
•    Watering: Water when the top 2–3cm of compost feels dry, then let excess drain away. Water less often in winter. It dislikes sitting in soggy compost.
•    Humidity & temperature: Enjoys higher humidity – group it with other plants or stand it on a tray of damp pebbles. Happiest between 18–27°C; keep above 13°C and away from cold draughts.
•    Feeding: A balanced houseplant feed once a month in spring and summer.
•    Good to know: Give it a moss pole to climb and the leaves will grow larger. Trim leggy stems just below a leaf node and root them in a glass of water to make new plants.

Toxicity: Toxic if eaten. Contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting in cats and dogs, and irritation of the mouth and stomach in people. Keep out of reach of children and pets.