HOMALOMENA
INFO + CARE

homalomena-sp-papua-detail-foliage-factory

genus: Homalomena Schott

common name/s: Silver Shield

type: evergreen perennial

family: Araceae

native range: southern Asia and the southwestern Pacific, a few species

indigenous to Latin America

zone: 10 to 12

height: 10 to 120 cm

spread: 15 to 120 cm

type species: : Homalomena cordata Schott

bloom time: seasonal bloomer

bloom description: varies between species

sun: sun to part shade

water: medium to high

maintenance: low to high, varies between species

soil type: loose, well-draining, 'breathing' potting mix

toxicity: toxic to pets and humans

Homalomena is a genus of flowering plants within the family Araceae. Homalomena are primarily found in southern Asia and the southwestern Pacific.

The plants of this genus are clump-forming evergreen perennials with mainly heart-shaped or arrowheaded shaped leaves. The flowers are tiny and without petals, enclosed in a usually greenish spathe hidden by the leaves.

Homalomena species are minute to very robust creeping to erect arborescent herbs whose vegetative tissues are usually (but not always) strongly aromatic when crushed, with pungent, sometimes sickly sweet smells of citrus, celery, parsley, liquorice, anise, and ginger.

Homalomena grow mainly in the understorey of lowland tropical rain forest but also reaching the mid-montane zone; sometimes rheophytic; sometimes found in regrowth and road cuttings; they are absent from strongly seasonal areas

The name derives apparently from a mistranslated Malayan vernacular name, translated as homalos, meaning flat, and mene = moon.

homalomenaplatinum--silver-foliage-factory

Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.

Cultivation of Homalomena varies very much between species. Some species, like H. rubescens and its cultivars are very easy to care for and make worry-free, fast-growing houseplants. These species thrive in bright, indirect light, warm temperatures and high humidity. A lot of less-known, smaller-growing species require terrarium environment to thrive, and most likely won't survive in normal room conditions. The higher the humidity and the warmer the temperatures, the better.