Homalomena Broad Cuneate (Red Stem)
Plant Profile
Homalomena ‘Broad Cuneate Red Stem’ is a flowering aquarium plant belonging to the same family as Bucephalandra and originating from the waters of Borneo. This variety is highly prized for its broad, spade-shaped leaves and striking deep red stems that provide a bold color contrast against typical green foliage. Highly versatile, it can be grown submerged or emersed, usually attached to hardscape such as driftwood or rocks rather than being buried in traditional aquarium substrate. It's a great pick for the midground or background of freshwater aquascapes, where it will slowly sprout from thick rhizomes to create a lush, architectural presence within a planted tank.
Key Features & Notes
- The vibrant red petioles (stems) offer a distinct visual pop that remains vivid even under moderate lighting conditions.
- Unlike the smaller leaves of most Bucephalandra, this Homalomena provides larger, broad leaves that help fill vertical space in your aquascape.
- Similar to Anubias, it is a hardy plant that thrives in areas with consistent water flow and is very resistant to herbivorous fish.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots.
- Homalomena is an epiphytic plant that should be attached to rocks or driftwood with aquarium-safe glue or thread; never bury the horizontal rhizome in substrate, as it will rot and melt.
- Avoid making drastic changes to your water parameters or lighting because unstable conditions are the primary cause of leaf melt in new specimens.
- While this plant is hardy once established, CO2 injection and regular liquid fertilizing will yield much faster growth and stronger stem coloration.
- Final size and coloration depend entirely on your specific aquarium conditions; please note that photos are a representation, and individual plants may vary.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Homalomena sp. 'Broad Cuneate Red Stem' |
| Common Name(s) | Homalomena Broad Cuneate, Red Stem Homalomena |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type | Epiphyte (Rhizome) |
| Care Difficulty | Moderate |
| Light Requirement | Medium to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Recommended (Accelerates growth & stem color) |
| Placement / Usage | Midground Focal Point, Background Architectural Accent |
| Height / Size | 4"–8"+ (10.0–20.0+ cm) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0–7.5 | Temperature 68°F–80°F (20°C–26°C) |
| Propagation Method | Rhizome / Root Cutting (Divide new growth with sharp shears) |
| Origin | Borneo (Endemic) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Homalomena 'Broad Cuneate Red Stem' an epiphyte?
Yes. Like Bucephalandra and Anubias, Homalomena is an epiphyte. It prefers to be mounted on rocks or driftwood rather than buried in aquarium substrate.
2. Can Homalomena be grown fully submerged in an aquarium?
Yes. Homalomena 'Broad Cuneate Red Stem' can be grown fully submerged underwater or emersed in high-humidity setups like paludariums, terrariums, and vivariums.
3. How do I prevent Homalomena rhizome rot?
Never bury the rhizome under sand or aquasoil. Attach the roots to hardscape using aquarium-safe glue or thread, leaving the thick main rhizome fully exposed to clean water flow.