Homalomena rubescens ‘Stardust’

Origin of Homalomena rubescens ‘Stardust’

‘Stardust’ is a cultivated speckled selection of Homalomena rubescens, a species native from Sikkim through Assam and Bangladesh to Myanmar in wet tropical regions.

How to care for Homalomena rubescens ‘Stardust’

• Light: Give bright filtered light and protect the leaves from strong direct sun.
• Water: Rewater when the surface begins to dry while some moisture remains deeper in the pot. Let the mix drain freely after each watering.
• Potting mix: Use an airy mix that holds some moisture and stays loose around the roots.
• Propagation: Separate rooted shoots that already show the characteristic speckled leaves.
• Climate: Keep established plants warm with average to moderately high humidity. Provide gentle airflow, especially in humid rooms.
• Feeding: Apply a complete fertiliser at moderate strength while the plant is producing new leaves. Feed less often when growth slows.
• Repotting: Repot once roots fill the container or shoots from the base need more room.

Troubleshooting Homalomena rubescens ‘Stardust’

• The usual speckling is joined by tiny dull grey dots or webbing: Check the leaf undersides for spider mites. Isolate the plant and use a labelled mite treatment at the stated repeat interval.
• Pale markings become crisp brown patches: Check for strong direct sun, potting mix that is drying completely, or very dry room air. Correct whichever condition applies.
• A whole shoot from the base keeps producing plain green foliage: Remove it where it emerges from the plant if you want to retain the speckled pattern.
• Yellowing appears with soft roots or softness at the base of the plant: Check for rot. Cut damaged tissue back to firm healthy growth with a clean tool, discard the damaged material and repot in fresh, airy potting mix.

Homalomena rubescens ‘Stardust’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

What does Homalomena rubescens mean, and who first published it?

Homalomena combines Greek homalos, meaning flat, with mene, meaning moon. Rubescens means becoming reddish and refers to the red-toned petioles.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Homalomena in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 20.

William Roxburgh first described it as Calla rubescens in 1832 in Flora Indica, 1832 edition, volume 3, page 515. Karl Sigismund Kunth later placed it in Homalomena as Homalomena rubescens in 1841 in Enumeratio Plantarum, volume 3, page 57.