Labisia Sp Brown Type 2

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Brown Turtle Back Labisia

Synonyms

Ardisia amplexicaulis (for some trade forms)

Environment

Terrestrial

Native to

Malaysia, Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra), Thailand, Philippines

Habitat

Deep shade of the lowland and hill rainforest floor, growing among leaf litter and decomposing organic matter in Southeast Asia

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Rosette

Max height

10 in (25 cm)

Spread

12 in (30 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

68 – 80 °F (20 – 27 °C)

Humidity

70 – 95%

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

Low

Colors

Green, Brown, Multicolor

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Rhizome division, Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

A rhizomatous Southeast Asian understory species, this brown-type Labisia produces broad, rounded leaves in mottled brownish-green tones. It stays compact and slow-growing, fitting foreground or midground spots in an enclosed vivarium with humidity kept above 70 percent. Waterlogging and direct sun both degrade its foliage quickly.

Care

This rhizomatous understory plant from Southeast Asian rainforests is grown for the patterned, often silvered or veined foliage that develops under the low, diffuse light of a closed terrarium or vivarium. It needs consistently high humidity, filtered indirect light, and moist but well-drained substrate to hold its leaf coloration and avoid browning edges. Growth is slow, so plants take time to fill in, and stable warm temperatures with no direct sun exposure are important for long-term health.

Planting & trimming

Plant the rhizome shallowly in a moisture-retentive but well-draining substrate such as a bioactive terrarium mix, keeping the crown at or just above the surface rather than buried. Site it in a shaded spot beneath taller companion plantings or toward the back of an enclosed terrarium away from direct light. Established clumps can be divided along the creeping rhizome to create new plantings.

Propagation

Propagation is primarily by division of the creeping rhizome once a clump has produced multiple growth points, or by stem cuttings taken with a few leaves attached and rooted in humid, enclosed conditions. New divisions are slow to establish and benefit from stable high humidity while rooting.

Problems

Low ambient humidity is the most common cause of decline, showing up first as browning or crisping leaf edges and eventually leaf drop. Direct or overly intense lighting will bleach the patterned foliage and can scorch leaves, dulling the metallic sheen that makes the plant desirable. Root or rhizome rot can occur if the substrate stays waterlogged rather than evenly moist.

Sources

1. Labisia Jangkang - Buce Plant
2. Getting to Know Labisia: A Terrarium Care Guide — Sunshine State Foliage
3. Acclimation (4): Labisia sp. – Hermetospheres
4. Live Jungle Plant - Labisia jangkang

Varieties in the catalog

Labisia JangkangLabisia Sp Turtle Back

More Terrarium plants

Ardisia Black Type 1Ardisia Black Type 2Ardisia BlueArdisia DinoArdisia SilverArdisia Sp Green