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 evergreen, herbaceous perennials with an erect, clumping habit and a strong anise scent. The heart-shaped or spade-shaped leaves are solid dark green or variegated in shades of dark green, light green, and yellow. The flower consists of a white spadix and 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 require increased humidity, and you may consider using a humidifier or placing the plant container on a tray of wet pebbles. It is easily propagated by division or stem cuttings. Homalomenas are frequently grown for their ornamental foliage and are suitable for container planting, 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.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheAlocasia 'Calidora'Alocasia x mortfontanensisDracaena reflexa var. angustifolia
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial; Houseplant
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Cordate; Elliptical; Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Waxy
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
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.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Green
Flower form
Spadix
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers are tiny, apetalous, and enclosed by a greenish to brownish spathe. They are typically hidden by the leaves.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
The fruit is a fleshy berry.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
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
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Propagation
Division
Poison severity
Medium
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Sap/Juice
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.
Toxic principle
Calcium oxalate crystals
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Medium severity poison; parts: Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Sap/Juice; contact dermatitis