Homalomena Bad Hair Day

Common Name:
Ribbon Bush / Tapeworm Plant

Description:
Homalocladium platycladum, often marketed as “Bad Hair Day”, is a highly unusual and eye-catching perennial prized for its long, flattened, ribbon-like green stems that twist and cascade in a loose, tangled form. This architectural plant creates a striking visual statement, with its leafless, segmented stems performing the role of foliage and giving it a distinctive, almost sculptural appearance. Small, inconspicuous white to pale green flowers may appear along the stem joints during warmer months, adding subtle seasonal interest. Well-suited to Melbourne conditions when protected from heavy frost, it thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soil. It performs particularly well in pots or sheltered garden positions where its form can be showcased. Regular light pruning helps maintain shape and encourages fresh growth, while its drought tolerance once established makes it a relatively low-maintenance feature plant.

Form:
Shrub - Medium

Mature Size:
Height: 1.5–2.5 m
Width: 1–2 m

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:
White
Pale green

Key Attributes:
Architectural foliage
Collector’s plant
Drought Tolerant
Evergreen
Low Maintenance
Perennial
Suitable for Pots
Unusual growth habit

Toxicity:
May be mildly toxic if ingested; sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals and is considered toxic to pets.

Companion Plants:
Succulents
Cacti
Cordyline
Agave
Lomandra