Homalomena rubescens (Roxb.) Kunth

Queen of Hearts, Shield Plant, Silver Shield, Spade Plant, Maggy

Moderate careTerrestrialModerately toxic60–130 cm

Native to the wet tropical forests of northeast India and Myanmar, Homalomena rubescens is a clumping aroid grown for its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves carried on striking deep-red petioles — the species name rubescens means 'becoming red', a direct reference to this trait. In the wild it grows as a shade-tolerant understory plant on the forest floor, which makes it well-suited to the low-light, high-humidity conditions of a large vivarium or humid indoor space. It does best in steady warmth above 18 °C with humidity above 60%, and rewards consistent moisture without waterlogging. Like all aroids it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals throughout its tissues, so keep it away from pets and children.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Queen of Hearts image

Photo by Dinesh Valke·CC BY-SA 2.0

Care

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Shade tolerantBright indirect

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Medium (40–60%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
16°C – 32°C

Soil

Loamy(preferred)Peat mossWell draining

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

6 – 7

Appearance

Growth habit

ClumpingUpright

Leaf shape

Heart

Leaf texture

GlossyWaxy

Distribution

Propagation

The most reliable method is to divide the rhizomatous clump during repotting in early spring. Separate the plant so each section has roots and at least one growing point, dust cut surfaces with powdered charcoal to reduce rot risk, then pot into a free-draining mix and keep warm and humid while the divisions establish. Success rates are high when divisions are not made too small.

References

  1. 1

    POWO (Kew) — Homalomena rubescens (Roxb.) Kunth (accepted name; family Araceae; native range Assam, Bangladesh, East Himalaya, Myanmar; perennial or subshrub; wet tropical biome; basionym: Calla rubescens Roxb.; synonyms: Chamaecladon rubescens (Roxb.) Schott, Chamaecladon rubens W.Bull, Zantedeschia rubens K.Koch)

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:87292-1
  2. 2

    NParks Flora & Fauna Web — Homalomena rubescens (heart-shaped leaf blades on red petioles; burgundy-red spathe and white spadix; semi-shade to full shade; requires lots of water; sap is an irritant; native to Assam, Bangladesh, East Himalaya, Myanmar)

    https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/1/2106
  3. 3

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Homalomena (Queen of Hearts, Shield Plant, Silver Shield; family Araceae; erect clumping habit; heart-shaped or spade-shaped glossy leaves; USDA zones 10a–11b; soil pH <6.0 acidic; medium severity poison — calcium oxalate crystals; flowers summer; propagation by division or stem cuttings)

    https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/homalomena/
  4. 4

    Garden Design — How to Grow & Care for Homalomena (common names: shield plant, queen of hearts; bright indirect light preferred; temperature 18–27 °C; humidity 50%+; loose well-draining potting mix; soil consistently moist; calcium oxalate toxic to pets; propagation by division or stem cuttings; mature height 30–90 cm)

    https://www.gardendesign.com/houseplants/homalomena.html
  5. 5

    Plantify — Homalomena Maggy Care Instructions (optimal temperature 16–32 °C; medium indirect filtered light; high humidity; free-draining organic potting soil; keep soil moist; poisonous to humans and pets; propagation by division in early spring; mature height 1.3 m, spread 1 m; common names: Homalomena maggy, maggie, Shield plant, Queen of hearts, Spade plant)

    https://plantify.co.za/pages/homalomena-care-instructions
  6. 6

    EarthOne — How To Grow Homalomena rubescens (glossy heart-shaped leaves; loamy well-draining mix; pH 6; humidity 70%; temperature 22 °C; USDA zone 10; toxic — calcium oxalate crystals; propagation by division in spring)

    https://earthone.io/plant/homalomena%20rubescens
  7. 7

    Greg App — Best Potting Soil Mix for Homalomena rubescens (soil pH 6.0–7.0 ideal; peat moss + perlite + organic potting mix; consistently moist but not waterlogged)

    https://greg.app/homalomena-rubescens-soil/
  8. 8

    PlantIn — Homalomena Rubescens Maggy Plant Care (temperature 18–29 °C; bright indirect light; high humidity; semi-porous peat-based soil with sand and humus; keep consistently moist; calcium oxalate toxic; care level moderate)

    https://myplantin.com/plant/6279
  9. 9

    Cafe Planta — Are Homalomena Selbys Toxic to Cats? (Homalomena contains calcium oxalate crystals; toxic to cats — symptoms: drooling, pawing at mouth, vomiting, difficulty swallowing)

    https://cafeplanta.com/blogs/resources/homalomena-selby-toxic-to-cats