HouseplantsDiscover the right indoor plants for your home.
StyleLush ™ Sea Turtle ™ Maggy ( Homalomena rubescens ) . picture by : Proven Winners
Homalomena(also love as cuticle plant ) is a rising headliner in the houseplant domain , flash large , profuse sum - shaped leave that fetch a touch of the Torrid Zone to any indoor space . This trendy member of the aroid family , and a closemouthed proportional ofPhilodendronandAlocasia , flourish in blue to intermediate light precondition , prepare it ideal for rest home with limited natural sparkle . It also grows to a realizable size of it , allowing you to display its eye - catching foliation on a desk or tabletop .
SinceHomalomenaplants are comparatively young on the picture , they can be a bit challenging to find , specially if you ’re await for a rare form . fortuitously , more plant retailer and on-line nurseries are beginning to conduct them , making it easier to enjoy these tropical knockout in your own home plate .
On this page : Basics|Growing Tips|Care|Varieties|FAQs
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Homalomenaspp .
Common names:
Homalomena , buckler plant , queen of hearts
Origin:
Native to tropical regions of southern Asia and the Southwest Pacific
Growth rate:
Moderate
Mature size:
1 to 3 foot tall
Foliage:
Glossy heart- or spade - shaped leaf may be solid dark-green or variegate in shades of light green , pick , yellow , or pink , often with ruby - tinct undersides and root .
Flowers:
Typically dark-green - white or yellow and surrounded by a spathe , standardised to those of apeace lily . AlthoughHomalomenaplants will bloom outdoors in their aboriginal habitat , they rarely bloom indoors .
AreHomalomenaplants toxic?
Yes ! All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to dogs and cat . The sap can also irritate the skin and optic . Keep out of reach of children and pets . As a care , also wear gloves when repotting or pruning plant . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
GROWING HOMALOMENA PLANTS
StyleLush ™ Uplift ™ Camouflage ( Homalomena wallisii ) . Photo by : Proven Winners
Light:
Prefers shining indirect light . At lower promiscuous level , growth may retard and the farewell may lose some of their vibrancy . An idealistic location is near an east - facing windowpane or positioned across the way from a Rebecca West - facing window , away from verbatim afternoon sunlight . If you notice burnt foliage edges , your industrial plant may be have too much verbatim sun .
Temperature:
Because they hail from tropic regions , Homalomenalove greenhouse - comparable consideration , with elbow room temperature between 65 ° to 80 ° F. Keep away from dusty drafts , and do n’t unwrap plants to temperatures below 60 ° F. Also avoid post plants near heating or cooling vents .
Humidity:
Like most tropical plants , Homalomenaflourish in humid environments , preferring a humidity level of 50 % or higher . They are excellent plant for a steamy , brightly lit bathroom . In dry areas of the rest home , keep your plant life hydrated by using a humidifier , misting the leaves on a regular basis , or set them on a tray filled with pebble and water .
Soil type:
Use a loose , well - draining potting mix that has good moisture retentivity , such as asoilless aroid potting mix . Or remediate a even potting intermixture by adding orchid barque or perlite to improve drainage .
HOMALOMNEA CARE
Watering:
Homalomenaare finicky about their weewee requirements and do n’t like soil that ’s either too juiceless or too marshy . Water on a regular basis using tepid piddle to keep the stain evenly moist , or whenever the top inch of soil feel dry to the touch . To avoid waterlogged soil , which can lead to stem guff , check that any excess water waste pipe from the bottom of the pot .
Fertilizing:
Feed once per month with a liquid houseplant plant food diluted to half persuasiveness when your plant is actively growing in saltation and summertime . Withhold fertilise during the late fall and winter months , when flora growth slow up .
Pruning:
Homalomenawill keep its nice , unsloped condition with minimal pruning . However , to keep your plant life healthy and promote new growth , you should withdraw any yellowing or damage foliage by cut the leaf stalk at its foundation using a clean knife or hand pruners . Be certain to hold out gloves to fend off tegument contact with the saphead from the slash stems .
notice that while some yellowing of older leaves is normal , yellowing of newer growth may be a sign of overwatering or photo to drafts or moth-eaten temperatures .
Leaf care:
The large leave ofHomalomenaare large junk collectors . To keep them attractive and dust - free , wipe them gently every few week with a damp cloth . This will also benefit your plant life ’s health by improving its ability to absorb light .
Repotting:
Homalomenatypically needs repotting every two years , or whenever it shows signs of becoming rootbound . If you see roots emerging through the drainage golf hole at the bottom of the pot or plant life growing has slow significantly , it ’s clock time to move your plant to a new dwelling house . Select a pot 1 to 2 inches in diameter larger than the current one , and occupy it with fresh potting mix to leave a new supply of indispensable nutrient . The skillful time to repot is former leap , when your plant awakens from its winter dormancy period .
Propagation:
By part of the flora ’s rhizomatous roots or by stem cuttings .
Pests and diseases:
Keep an middle out forspider mites , mealybugs , thrip , andaphids . ( See and treat pests on houseplants . ) Overwatering can cause fungal diseases and ascendent rot .
HOMALOMENA VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven winner
StyleLush ™ Sea Turtle ™ MaggyHomalomena rubescens
showy green folio with deeply etched veining resemble big heart - shaped turtleneck shells , perched atop colorful pinkish - cherry-red stems . To foreclose the folio bound from browning , give this plant plenteousness of humidness , avoid tier below 45 % .
Height:2 to 3 feet
More Info & ascertain a Local leafjoy ® Retailer
StyleLush ™ Uplift ™ CamouflageHomalomena wallisii
Features oval - shaped leaves model in various shade of grim and light green , similar to hobo camp camouflage . Under the right conditions , new leave and stem may develop pink - red undertone , providing an added pop music of colour . involve shiny collateral light , but deflect placing in lineal sunshine .
Height:12 to 18 inch
Photo by : originative by Nature / Shutterstock
' Emerald Gem’Homalomena’Emerald Gem '
True to its name , this plant ’s unsubtle , heart - form leaves are a rich emerald green , punctuated by big veining . A compact , shaggy increase habit make it idealistic for displaying on a desk or tabletop .
Photo by : rukawajung / Shutterstock
' Pink Diamond’Homalomena’Pink Diamond '
This uncommon variety is named for the bright pink variegation of its leaves , which looks strike against a glum green background . The variegation pattern can vary , making each leaf unique , with the pinkish colouration intensifying when the plant is develop in bright collateral light .
Height:1 to 2 metrical unit
Photo by : bobbylho / Shutterstock
' Stardust’Homalomena rubescens’Stardust '
lineament pump - shaped , shiny , bass green leaves invest with silvery fleck that seem to sparkle when the Light Within hit them . A carmine tint to the bottom of the leaves creates extra interestingness .
Height:1 to 3 metrical foot
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IsHomalomenaa philodendron?
No . Although both plant life are extremity of the aroid family ( Araceae ) and share some standardised features , they have distinct growth wont and leaf shapes and patterns .
Are homalomena plants easy to care for?
Yes , Homalomenaare more often than not easy to care for and make gravid houseplant , as long as you run into their light , water , and humidity demand .
Can homalomena plants grow in water?
Homalomenacan be grown in water system , but prefers having its roots planted in well - draining soil . However , you could propagate division or cuttings in water supply and then transfer them to soil once roots develop .
How do I know if my homalomena plant is getting enough light?
tedious development , smaller leave of absence , and faded diversification may be signs that your works is receiving insufficient sunlight . Consider relocate it to a brighter localisation ( but away from direct sun ) or append with grow lights , especially during the winter months .
What is the lifespan of a homalomena plant?
With right care , your homalomena can populate for 10 years or even longer . The key to near length of service is leave the ripe growing conditions , including fair to middling light , water , and humidity .
CanHomalomenabe grown outdoors?
Homalomenacan thrive outdoors when grown in dappled shade in regions with systematically warm temperatures and gamey humidity levels . They are not frost - tolerant , and should be protect from temperatures below 50 ° F.
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