Full Specimen Plate

Homalomena 'Emerald Gem'

Emerald Gem Homalomena

Quick Facts

growth HabitCompact clumping rosette
mature SizeSmall (25-40 cm)
lightLow to medium indirect light
humidityHigh humidity (65-85%)
temperature20-28°C
difficultyIntermediate
growth SpeedSlow to Moderate
View Care Guide
Cultivar££ · UncommonMediumHorticultural cultivar of Southeast Asian Homalomena parentage.

Morphology

leaf ShapeBroad cordateHeart-shaped foliage, featuring a rounded notch (sinus) where the leaf stem attaches. (heart-shaped)
leaf Length15-25 cm
leaf Width10-18 cm
petiole ColorGreen
venationUnderstated
textureHighly glossy, almost lacquered
variegationNone — deep, lustrous emerald-green colouring
growth HabitCompact clumping rosette from a rhizome

About

Emerald Gem is a compact Homalomena cultivar with deeply lustrous, dark emerald-green heart-shaped leaves and a low, clumping habit — a genus more often known for humidity-loving rainforest-floor species than for widely traded named cultivars. Documented trade history under this exact name is limited compared to established species like Homalomena rubescens, so treat rarity and pricing as provisional pending more sales data.

Market Analysis

Auction History & Retail Data

Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.

No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.

Before You Buy

Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing

  • Given limited documented trade history, verify the seller's identification against reference photos
  • Check rhizome/root health — firm, not soft or mushy
  • Confirm leaves show the characteristic high-gloss surface, not dull or matte

Propagation Guide

Growing More Plants

Difficulty
Moderate
Time to Establish

3-6 months

True From Cuttings
Yes

Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings

Divide the rhizome, ensuring each section retains roots and at least one growth point.

Care Guide

Growing Conditions

Substrate

Chunky, well-draining aroid mix: 40% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark, 10% charcoal.

Watering

Keep lightly, consistently moist — avoid letting the substrate dry out fully.

Humidity

65-85% preferred — this genus is more humidity-sensitive than common low-light houseplants.

Fertilising

Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer.

Repotting

Every 18-24 months, or when the rhizome fills the pot.

Common Problems

Problem

Dull, less glossy leaves

Cause

Low humidity

Fix

Increase ambient humidity to restore the characteristic high-gloss leaf surface

Problem

Root rot

Cause

Substrate staying too wet without adequate drainage

Fix

Ensure a free-draining substrate and avoid letting the pot sit in standing water

Field Notes · Vol. 15 September 2024

A Quiet Corner of the Family

Homalomena rarely gets much attention next to its flashier aroid relatives, but Emerald Gem's genuinely lacquered leaf gloss is a texture worth seeking out on its own merits, humidity requirements notwithstanding.

Written at AroidAtlas research station— Aroid Aaron
Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers
Market Trend?Calculated by comparing average auction sales from the past 30 days against the preceding 60 days.
Not enough history to calculate a trend

How prices are calculated: The AA Price uses online sold listings converted to GBP at current exchange rates, excluding extreme outliers to ensure a fair-value guide. Falls back to UK retail average when auction data is unavailable.