Homalomena Silver
Plant Profile
Homalomena Silver is a rare rheophytic aroid endemic to Kalimantan, Borneo, featuring spade-shaped, pale green leaves with a noticeable silvery wash. A versatile choice for emersed setups as well as planted aquariums, its lighter tone pops cleanly against dark lava rock, dark wood, or deep green mosses, working well in the foreground or tucked into lower hardscape crevices. Emersed leaves carry a soft, velvety texture that gradually shifts to a smooth, waxy surface once adapted to underwater conditions.
Key Features & Notes
- Bright green foliage with a silvery sheen transitions from velvety emersed to waxy submerged.
- Versatile growth habit adapts to fully submerged aquariums, humid terrariums, and paludarium margins.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots.
- Plant the roots into a quality aquarium soil or airy tropical substrate, keeping the main rhizome exposed above the soil line to prevent rot.
- Provide low to moderate indirect lighting; supplemental CO2 and gentle water flow encourage denser, faster submerged growth.
- Maintain humidity above 75% for emersed setups, or ensure clean, stable water conditions when transitioning to fully submerged growth.
- Trim older or melting transition leaves near the rhizome base with sharp aquascaping scissors to promote fresh growth.
- Final size and silvery coloration depend entirely on your specific setup 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. 'Silver' |
| Common Name(s) | Homalomena Silver |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type | Rheophytic Aroid (Aquatic & Terrestrial) |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Low to Medium |
| Submersion Suitability | Submerged or Emersed (Aquarium, Terrarium, Paludarium) |
| Placement / Usage | Foreground, Midground, Hardscape Mount, Shoreline |
| Height / Size | 4"–10" (10–25 cm) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Humidity Requirement | High (> 75% RH for emersed growth) |
| Propagation Method | Rhizome Division |
| Origin | Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Homalomena Silver grow fully submerged in a freshwater aquarium?
Yes. Homalomena Silver adapts well to submerged life, gradually shedding its emersed fuzzy leaf texture for a smoother, waxy appearance underwater.
2. Should the rhizome of Homalomena Silver be buried in substrate?
No. Bury only the feeding roots into the soil. Keep the central creeping rhizome resting above the substrate or tied to hardscape to prevent rot.
3. How do you propagate Homalomena Silver?
Use sharp scissors to separate a section of rhizome that contains at least three leaves and viable roots, then replant or attach it to wood or stone.