Labisia pumila

Labisia pumila across the forests of Southeast Asia

Labisia pumila ranges from mainland Southeast Asia through Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Maluku and New Guinea. It grows close to the ground in humid, shaded tropical forests.

Across this wide range it occurs in several lowland forest types, including forests on white sand, swampy ground and peat, often below about 400 m.

Repotting and watering a fine-rooted Labisia

Repot Labisia pumila gently because its compact fine roots are easily disturbed. Use a humus-rich, mildly acidic medium with a coarse component that preserves air spaces. Water before the root ball becomes dry, then let excess drain so moisture remains available without persistent saturation.

Filtered light from low to bright levels is suitable; protect the broad leaves from hot direct sun. Keep the plant warm with moderate to high humidity and enough airflow to help wet leaf surfaces dry. Feed weakly during active growth.

Fine-root decline and stalled growth

• Yellow leaves while the mix remains wet suggest poor aeration or decay around the fine roots. Inspect the root system and replace compacted substrate.
• Small or stalled new leaves can result from cold, root stress or inadequate nutrition. Check temperature and root condition before increasing fertiliser.
• Crisp brown margins can follow interrupted watering, low humidity, salt buildup or root damage. Restore even moisture and flush excess salts when buildup is present.

Keep Labisia pumila away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Where does the name Labisia pumila come from?

Labisia comes from Greek labis, “spoon”, referring to the spoon-like lobes of the flower. Pumila is Latin for “dwarf”, “small” or “low-growing”.

John Lindley established the genus Labisia in 1845 in Edwards’s Botanical Register, volume 31, plate 48.

Carl Ludwig Blume first described it as Ardisia pumila in 1823 in Catalogus, page 44. Celestino Fernández-Villar later placed it in Labisia as Labisia pumila in 1880 in Flora de Filipinas, third edition, volume 4, issue 13A, page 123; George Bentham and Joseph Dalton Hooker had proposed the name.