Care of the indoor plant Homalomena wallisii or Queen of Hearts |
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The genus Homalomena, family Araceae, comprises 100 species of tropical plants native to Asia, the Pacific and South America. Some species are: Homalomena wallisii, Homalomena pendula, Homalomena tonkinensis, Homalomena aromatica, Homalomena megalophylla. Common names: Queen of Hearts, Shield Plant, King of Hearts. This species is native to Colombia. They are short-stemmed rhizomatous herbaceous plants that reach 20 cm (7.87") in height. The showy leaves, dark green with yellowish spots, are ovate-oblong in shape and appear hugging the stem. The flowers appear in spadices similar to Spathiphyllum; it doesn't always blooms indoors. These tropical plants are used as indoor or greenhouse plants. The Homalomena wallisii needs an illuminated exposure but without ever directly receiving the sun's rays. It does not resist temperatures below 15 ºC (59 ºF). The soil can be a mixture, in equal parts, of peat, leaf mulch, manure, and coarse siliceous sand. Water regularly with lime-free water so that the substrate is always damp (never overwater). High humidity is important; Place a plate with wet pebbles under the pot. They do not need pruning. Fertilize every 20 days during spring and summer with houseplant fertilizer. They can be attacked by mites and aphids if the humidity is low. They propagate by division of the rhizome in early spring. |
Images of the indoor plant Homalomena wallisii or Queen of Hearts |
 Homalomena wallisii  Homalomena wallisii |