Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
Primulaceae
Labisia pumila
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
VAT included · plus
Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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Care at a glance
Labisia pumila
Watering
Water when ~10–25% dry
Substrate
Moisture-retentive + airy • Steady-moist • Organic-forward • Fine
Temperature
Ideal: 20–28 °C • Avoid below: 15 °C
Humidity
Humid 60–80 % +
Growth habit
Upright clumping herbaceous perennial.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height: 35 cm • Max. spread: 35 cm
Toxicity & safety
Pet safety unconfirmed
Origin & habitat
Native from Peninsular Malaysia to Borneo
Outdoor growing
Indoor only
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Labisia pumila – Southeast Asian understory plant with striking foliage
Labisia pumila (Blume) Fern.-Vill. is a shade-loving perennial native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It produces elegant, lanceolate leaves with fine crenulate margins, creating a textured, refined appearance. Mature foliage is deep green, while new growth emerges in dramatic black-green tones with delicate pink edging, making it a visually captivating species for collectors of rare tropical plants.
Main features of Labisia pumila
- Leaf form: Lanceolate, dark green leaves with rounded, toothed edges.
- Size: Blades typically (8 – )15 – 25 cm long and (2.5 – )5 – 7 cm wide.
- Petiole: Distinct stalks 2.5 – 7.5 cm long; stipules are absent.
- New growth: Young leaves emerge with a striking black-green base and pink margins.
- Habit: Compact, clumping understory perennial suitable for shaded culture.
Natural range and ecology
Labisia pumila is native to lowland and hill forests of Malaysia, Indonesia, and surrounding regions. It thrives on shaded forest floors, often in humus-rich soils with high organic content. In its native habitat, it plays a role in dense understory vegetation, adapting to consistently high humidity and diffuse light conditions.
Cultivation and care for Labisia pumila
- Light: Prefers shaded to low-light conditions; direct sunlight can scorch leaves.
- Temperature: Ideal range 20 – 28 °C; avoid exposure below 15 °C.
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; reduce watering slightly in cooler conditions.
- Substrate: Rich, well-draining medium with organic matter; adapts well to semi-hydro mineral substrates.
- Humidity: Requires consistently high humidity (70 % or higher) for best leaf development.
- Feeding: Use diluted, balanced fertilizer every 3 – 4 weeks during active growth.
Common challenges
- Leaf burn: Caused by too much direct sun or insufficient humidity.
- Root decline: Overwatering or compacted soil may lead to root problems.
- Pest issues: Can be prone to mealybugs and spider mites under stressed indoor conditions.
Additional notes
Beyond its ornamental qualities, Labisia pumila is also culturally significant in Southeast Asia, where it has traditional uses. In horticulture, however, its appeal lies primarily in its glossy, textured leaves and contrasting new growth. This species adapts well to terrarium-style environments or shaded indoor growing spaces where humidity can be maintained.
Etymology
The genus name Labisia likely derives from Latin roots, though its precise origin remains uncertain. The species epithet pumila comes from Latin “pumilus,” meaning “dwarf” or “small,” referring to the plant’s compact stature relative to other tropical perennials.
Bring Labisia pumila into your collection
If you’re searching for a unique tropical plant with deep green leaves and eye-catching pink-edged new growth, Labisia pumila is a superb addition. Order yours today and add a rare understory beauty to your collection.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
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Labisia pumila
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