Homalomena
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chamaecladon
- Diandriella
- Spirospatha
- Phonetic Spelling
- ho-mah-lo-MEE-na
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
This genus of aroids is commonly cultivated as a tropical foliage plant. Homalomena is typically found in Southern Asia and the Southwest Pacific. They are an evergreen herbaceous perennial with an erect and clumping habit and a strong scent of anise. The heart-shaped or spade-shaped leaves are solid dark green or variegated in shades of dark green, light green, and yellow. The flower is a white spadix with a greenish or brownish spathe that surrounds it like a hood. The fruits are fleshy berries.
This plant is easy to grow and prefers well-drained soil and partial shade. They do require humidity and will need daily misting. It is easily propagated by division or stem cuttings.
Homalomena are frequently grown for their ornamental foliage and are suitable as a container plant, houseplant, or specimen.
Caution: If ingested this plant is toxic to pets and humans.
Quick ID Hints:
- erect, clumping habit
- large green or variegated leaves with a cordate base
- The underside of the leaves are shades of red
- flower is a white spadix surrounded by a greenish or brownish spathe
- fruits are fleshy berries
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant prefers humid conditions. If the air is too dry, the plant is more susceptible to spider mites, scale, and mealybugs. Poor air circulation and overwatering of the plant can result in fungal diseases and root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Velvet'
initially the oval leaves are copper brown, but they become velvet-like and black, the stems are purplish red - 'Emerald Green'
large, dark green, waxy, heart-shaped leaves that are somewhat wrinkled - H. rubescens
heart-shaped leaves, red petioles, burgundy red spathe, white spadix - H. rubescens 'Mint'
mint colored leaves - H. rubescens 'Pink Diamond'
variegated leaves of pink and green - H. rubescens 'Pink Splash
bright green leaves that have splashes of white and pink - H. wallisii
compact, velvet green leaves with yellow marbling, yellowish white spathe - H. wallisii 'Camouflage'
variegated light and dark green leaves with mottled patterns - 'Purple Sword'
green leaves with silver spots, the undersides of the leaves are purple or burgundy
- 'Black Velvet'
- 'Black Velvet', 'Emerald Green', H. rubescens, H. rubescens 'Mint', H. rubescens 'Pink Diamond', H. rubescens 'Pink Splash, H. wallisii, H. wallisii 'Camouflage', 'Purple Sword'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Velvet'
initially the oval leaves are copper brown, but they become velvet-like and black, the stems are purplish red - 'Emerald Green'
large, dark green, waxy, heart-shaped leaves that are somewhat wrinkled - H. rubescens
heart-shaped leaves, red petioles, burgundy red spathe, white spadix - H. rubescens 'Mint'
mint colored leaves - H. rubescens 'Pink Diamond'
variegated leaves of pink and green - H. rubescens 'Pink Splash
bright green leaves that have splashes of white and pink - H. wallisii
compact, velvet green leaves with yellow marbling, yellowish white spathe - H. wallisii 'Camouflage'
variegated light and dark green leaves with mottled patterns - 'Purple Sword'
green leaves with silver spots, the undersides of the leaves are purple or burgundy
- 'Black Velvet'
- 'Black Velvet', 'Emerald Green', H. rubescens, H. rubescens 'Mint', H. rubescens 'Pink Diamond', H. rubescens 'Pink Splash, H. wallisii, H. wallisii 'Camouflage', 'Purple Sword'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Homalomena
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and Subtropical Asia and Southwest Pacific
- Distribution:
- Native: Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China, East Himalaya, India, Malaya, Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam; Introduced: United States
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a fleshy berry.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are tiny, apetalous, and enclosed by a greenish to brownish spathe. They are typically hidden by the leaves.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are deep green and can be variegated. The underside of the leaves are shades of red. The leaves are large, glossy, waxy, oblong, elliptical to lanceolate and have a cordate base and acuminate apex.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Ingesting parts of this plant can mouth burning, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Touching the plant may cause skin irritation or a rash.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
