TankBud

Homalomena Silver

Homalomena sp. 'Silver'

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome division

Homalomena Silver (Homalomena sp. 'Silver')
Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
9.8 in
25 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia

Overview

Homalomena Silver is a slow-growing aroid for the midground that lives on rock, wood or the substrate surface. It is an easy plant that grows submersed or emersed.

Did you know

Homalomena Silver changes the surface of its leaves as it adapts. Leaves grown above water feel noticeably fuzzy, and each new leaf grown underwater comes in smooth and waxy instead.

Caring for Homalomena Silver

Attach the rhizome to rock or wood, or rest it on the substrate with the rhizome left uncovered. A buried rhizome rots, so treat Homalomena Silver as a slow rhizome plant rather than a rooted rosette.

Low to medium light suits it, and it grows without injected CO2. New leaves come slowly, so strong light mostly grows algae on the old ones. Added CO2 is optional, but it speeds growth and the switch to submersed leaves. It feeds through its roots and from the water column, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better than root tabs.

Propagate it by cutting the rhizome into sections, each with several leaves, and tying or planting each piece. Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and hold parameters steady. Like Bucephalandra, it answers sudden swings with melt.

Good to know

Homalomena is a genus of well over a hundred aroid species across tropical Asia. It sits in the family Araceae with Bucephalandra and Anubias. Sp. 'Silver' carries no formal description. The trade knows it by bright green leaves with a muted silver sheen, close in shape and habit to Homalomena humilis.

In the wild

Homalomena Silver is an undescribed form collected in the Kalimantan part of Borneo, Indonesia, and sold under the trade name Silver. In the wild these aroids grow on the shaded floor and banks of rainforest streams. They root in wet ground rather than living permanently underwater, which is why the plant takes to emersed culture so readily. Fully submersed growth is an adaptation it makes slowly in the aquarium.

Common questions

Does Homalomena Silver need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Homalomena Silver grows attached to rock or wood, so tie or glue the rhizome in place. If you plant its roots, keep the rhizome above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots.

Does Homalomena Silver need CO2?

No, but it helps. Homalomena Silver can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Homalomena Silver need?

Homalomena Silver is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

Does Homalomena Silver need root tabs?

No. Homalomena Silver feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better. Root tabs only help if its roots reach into the substrate.

How do you propagate Homalomena Silver?

Homalomena Silver propagates by rhizome division. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.

How tall does Homalomena Silver grow?

Homalomena Silver grows to about 9.8 in (25 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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