Homalomena Humilis

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Pink Homalomena; Borneo Shield Plant

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Borneo, Indonesia

Habitat

Fast-flowing rivers and streams in tropical rainforest, found on rocks and wood along the banks in Borneo and parts of Southeast Asia

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Rhizome

Max height

4 – 10 in (10 – 25 cm)

Spread

8 in (20 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

4 – 15 dGH

Flow

Moderate

Light

Low

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green, Pink

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Rhizome division

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Care guide

Overview

Reaches roughly 4 to 10 inches tall with a spread of up to 8 inches, forming a low rhizome clump suited to foreground or midground placement. Thick, waxy leaves shift between pink and green tones, mounted to wood or rock rather than buried. Growth is slow but steady, tolerating both submerged and emersed setups once established.

Care

Homalomena humilis is a slow-growing rhizome plant that tolerates a wide range of water conditions once established, making it forgiving for tanks that are not perfectly tuned. It does best under low to medium lighting, since strong light tends to promote algae growth on its thick, waxy leaves rather than faster growth. Steady, moderate flow across the leaves and stable warm temperatures help it settle in and produce new growth over time.

Planting & trimming

The rhizome should be attached to driftwood or rock rather than buried in substrate, similar to how Anubias and Bucephalandra are mounted, since burying the rhizome can cause it to rot. It can also be left loose in a nutrient-rich substrate for a more rooted look, though attachment tends to give better long-term results. Given its slow growth, trimming is infrequent and mostly limited to removing old or damaged leaves near the base.

Fertilizing

Root tabs pushed into the substrate near the rhizome base support steady growth, though the plant can also be grown attached to hardscape and fed primarily through the water column with liquid fertilizer. Iron and micronutrient supplementation helps maintain leaf coloration and prevents pale or translucent new leaves. Because growth is slow, nutrient deficiencies tend to show gradually as dulled leaf color rather than sudden leaf loss.

Propagation

New plants are produced by cutting a section of rhizome bearing at least one growth point and several leaves, then reattaching that piece to a new area of hardscape. The parent rhizome will continue to push out new leaves and side shoots over time, allowing repeated divisions as the plant matures. Growth is slow, so propagation happens infrequently compared to faster stem or carpeting plants.

Problems

Melting is uncommon in this species compared to true crypts, but leaves can develop algae fouling if lighting is too strong for its slow growth rate. Poor water circulation or long periods without water changes can lead to biofilm buildup on the waxy leaf surface. Trimming off any damaged or algae-covered leaves at the base keeps the rhizome healthy and encourages cleaner new growth.

Sources

1. Homalomena Humilis — Buce Plant
2. Homalomena humilis | Tankably
3. Homalomena Humilis Live Aquatic Plant – Glass Aqua
4. Homalomena Humilis - Aquarium Plants - Aquascape

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