Homalomena Emerald Gem is commonly referred to as Queen of Hearts or Shield Plant. It’s a lovely and low-maintenance houseplant, with thick, spade-shaped green leaves. This plant is native to tropical South America and Asia and thrives in warm temperatures, bright indirect light, and high humidity.
The Homalomena or Emerald Gem plant is a straight plant with waxy, dark green leaves. Since these plants are often about 12″ to 30″ tall, they work well in areas with height limitations. While an Emerald Gem plant belongs to an easy-care family, it’s a little more selective and needs more attention. But, if you’re bored with the same outdated houseplants, an Emerald Gem plant can become a pleasant addition to your plant display.
Sunlight
An Emerald Gem Plant needs moderate indirect light; however, it thrives generously in bright indirect sunlight. Homalomenas can survive in dull light. But, it becomes thin and possesses spines. The lower leaves of the plant become yellow and fall off the plant when there isn’t sufficient light. However, if you keep them in direct sunlight, the leaves may burn.
Watering
Watering is the most complicated factor of caring for a Homalomena Emerald Gem Plant. When this Plant is either over-watered or under-watered, the bottom leaves dry and fall off. Allow the top 50 percent of the surface of the Plant to dry before watering again. An Emerald Gem Plant doesn’t appreciate anything cold. Therefore, use warm water and never place excess ice cubes into the mud. They don’t prefer wet soil while also don’t like to dry out for longer durations.
Temperature
These plants are sensitive to cold temperatures, for instance, below 65 degrees. Therefore, keep it in a space having 65-85 degrees temperature. Ensure the Homalomena Emerald Gem plants away from the areas with air conditioners and cold winds.
The minimum temperature for the Emerald Gem plant is mentioned below:
- During the day aim for 25 ° C
- At night aim for 16 ° C
Humidity
An Emerald Gem Plant grows satisfactorily in average household humidity. However, the Homalomena will enjoy increased humidity from misting or putting in a humidifier nearby.
Plant Nutrition
Nourish your Homalomena Emerald plant once every month during the spring and summer season with a standard houseplant fertilizer saturated to half the recommended vitality. During the fall and winter seasons, fertilize an Emerald Gem green every other month when the plant develops fresh leaves.
Toxicity
An Emerald Gem Plant or Homalomena is a rarely harmful houseplant with minor toxicity. Your Homalomena plant can most likely be poisonous to animals and humans if swallowed.
Air-Purifying
What is better yet cheap than a plant that catches all the toxicity present in the air and purifies it naturally? The Homalomena Emerald Gem plant is an excellent air purifier since it helps purify ammonia from the air.
Repotting
You can repot the Homalomena plant shortly after you get it, or else you can repot it in the spring season before the plant begins to grow again. Repot the plant once after every two years in a fresh pot that is nearly 20% bigger. When you’re repotting the plant, be sure to utilize new potting soil.
Additional Care
You may sometimes notice some leaves that turn yellow and then eventually die. You don’t have to worry about this as this is just normal. You can do regular pruning and cut the dead leaves off, using neat and sharp shears.
However, if your plant leaves are turning yellow and dying frequently, it may be an indication that your plant is too wet, getting cold, or staying extremely dry. Therefore, you need to give it extra care and provide attention to the plant for it to grow satisfactorily.
Common issues
The common issues of the Emerald Gem are mentioned below:
- Quick-draining
- Humidity
- Low temperature
- Underwatering and overwatering
Diseases
Homalomena Emerald Gem plants are disease-resistant plants. This plant is sensitive to pests, for instance, spider mites. If you find any plant problems, it’s good to fight them instantly with a useful chemical or biological solution.
Final Thoughts
You can get the idea of how beautiful and lovely this plant would be by its common name, Queen of Hearts. This plant is just what your balcony needs to give a fresh and natural look. As this plant requires high temperature, you can’t put it in shady or cold areas. As a great air-purifier, it’ll provide a beautiful look to your place.
