If you ’re in dear with Monstera deliciosa but do n’t quite have the space for a houseplant that grow huge , may I suggest the ideal alternative ? Monstera ’s close first cousin Rhaphidophora tetrasperma , ordinarily referred to as mini Monstera despite not being the same metal money , may just be the plant for you .
Here ’s everything you require to know about growing Rhaphidophora tetrasperma indoors !
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About Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
Natural habitat
Mini Monstera is naturally found in Southeast Asia , specifically peninsular Malaysia and southerly Thailand ( Boyce , 1999 ) . Here , it occurs in ( rain)forest habitats at relatively low altitudes and climbs taller plants in a vining manner .
Description
This species is an evergreen vining plant , one of those distinctive rainforest lianas ( flora with long woody stems ) that employ tree as backing to climb upwards and reach more light . ( This climbing behavior is distinctive of other vining aroid likeSyngonium podophyllum , Monstera deliciosa , andMonstera siltepecana . )
Except in very vernal specimens , the leaves are pinnate , meaning they have splits . Baby plant grow in a shingle manner , pressing themselves completely flat against a surface .
Leaf size of it can diverge : The Rhaphidophoras you ’ll see for sale and grown in people ’s houses usually do n’t sport very openhanded foliage . Their leaf are nice to expect at , but tend to be hired man - sized or even smaller .
On fledged plants , though , they can raise to 12 inch or even more . The plant life itself can get to heights of over 20 feet when maintained outdoors , although it usually does n’t manage more than 8 feet in the home . Still , definitely something to aspire to if you ask me !
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma vs. Monstera deliciosa
It ’s not surprising so many houseplant enthusiasts mix these plants up : They really do look very similar at first glance . They really go to the same subfamily , called the Monsteroideae — which is funny , because they are in fact from unlike sides of the world !
As mentioned above , Rhaphidophora is found in Southeast Asia , while Monstera deliciosa is from Central to South America .
Their leafage splits and maturation pattern are the main similarities , so much so that Rhaphidophora tetrasperma used to be commercialize as a nanus version of Monstera . That being said , with a little experience you ’ll be able to see the difference between Monstera deliciosa vs. Rhaphidophora tetrasperma easily .
Monstera is almost always way bigger , with thicker stems even on juvenile leaves . Mature Monstera leaves will usually have holes ( in add-on to the split ) , while Rhaphidophora seldom does indoors .
Other difference include the fact that Monstera leaves are more heart - shape and grow closer together . Rhaphidophora is the quicker grower out of the two , couch out fresh leave almost incessantly .
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma varieties
The fact that this industrial plant is sometimes referred to as Rhaphidophora / Monstera / Philodendron ‘ Ginny ’ suggests a cultivar . After all , that ’s what the quotation mark indicate : a selectively cultivated interpretation of a plant that has been given its own commercial-grade name .
Unfortunately , though , this is just another case of incorrect or misleading appointment , probably for merchandising purpose .
There actually is n’t much out there in terms of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma varieties , although I do have to say that the genus itself contains some other charming aroids . I peculiarly care the pinnate Rhaphidophora decursiva and the shingling Rhaphidophora hayi .
The only mini Monstera variety you will find is variegated plants . Do n’t expect to encounter these at your local flora store , however , as they are rare and can fetch astronomical price . Their leaves usually feature a mix of normal green and mottled yellow coloration , although there are a few unlike character of variegation to be detect .
Where to purchase Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plants :
Caring for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
Light and temperature
When it comes to its light and temperature necessity , this species is a distinctive rainforest arum . It likes plenty of luminance , although too much direct Sunday can sear its leaves . In its natural habitat , the potent of the tropical Asiatic sun is blocked out by marvellous tree , after all !
you may expose your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma to high swooning level and it will appreciate it , but it ’s a estimable idea to acclimatise the plant slowly .
In terms of temperature , you ’ll have to keep in psyche that rainforests in Malaysia and southern Thailand ride out warm year - round . Daytime temperatures rarely drop below a whopping 77 ° degree Fahrenheit , so you could envisage that a plant originating from these orbit does n’t apprize the cold .
Your miniskirt Monstera can take even the hottest temperatures as long as it is n’t being scorched by direct Dominicus . It ’s much less resistant to low temporary worker ; mine has done fine down to 59 ° atomic number 9 , though it stop growing at this point . I would n’t in person let things get any tank to prevent foliage red and other problem .
Water and humidity
If you ’re sample to visualise out how much water your mini Monstera needs , just mentally head up to that Malaysian or Thai rainforest again . These areas are be intimate to get impressive total of pelting , which mean your houseplant will appreciate something like in the home base !
Although Rhaphidophora tetrasperma needs well - drain land to fly high ( see the next paragraph ) , it does n’t appreciate its substrate going completely dry . rather , keep the grime lightly moist , especially during the tender summertime month when the flora should be growing actively and put out new leaf all the clip .
I ca n’t order you how often to water , so just get used to doing the finger’s breadth mental testing ! moist grease means you could wait a little longer , but if it feels ( almost ) dry to the touch , it ’s time to give your miniskirt Monstera a drunkenness . hold back too long can cause the leaves to start up wilt .
Did you know?Mini Monsteras are an excellent choice if you need to dabble in hydroponics . Theseplants are quite easy to grow in water , no grime demand !
I have n’t found this mintage to be overly particular about humidness , but it ’s belike still not a respectable idea to let thing neglect below 50 percent on a regular basis . you may test this using an cheap humidity time ( I like and usethis one ) , a handy tool for indoor gardeners that usually also display the temperature .
If it turns out your place is on the dry side , you may have to take some measure to verify your Rhaphidophora and other tropical houseplant ( likeAlocasiasandPhilodendrons ) do n’t cease up with brown leafage peak and other issues .
you could fetch the humidity up by :
Soil and planting
The utter ground motley for your houseplant depends a spot on how heavy - handed you lean to be when it comes to watering . I ’m one of those comparatively rarified specimens who leans towards underwatering , so my mini Monstera is in a more moisture - keep mixture . It consists of potting soil withperlite , some bark pieces , and coco coir .
Are you more prostrate to overwatering , like most indoor gardener ? In that eccentric , a classic soilless arum mixture may be a great choice for your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma ( and similar tropicals ) . These dry out quite a snatch quicker than mixtures contain soil .
There are many different ingredients you could utilise , but the basic gist is that you want something that combines elements that permit supererogatory water run out easily with elements that hold some pee .
An example of a soilless salmagundi for aroid houseplants like this one may let in :
Every houseplant partizan has their own predilection , so you’re able to utterly experiment a bit to see what works well for you .
In terms of planting , are you thinking of letting your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma bent or go up ? The works itself choose to climb , but it does look quite decorative in a cling plantation owner as well .
Whatever you do , it ’s always important to go for a corporation with a drain hole in the bottom . Standing pee can cause source bunkum . A trellis or plant totem is perfect to trail this mintage upwards , though its vining nature makes it very various .
Recommend products for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma works care :
Fertilizing
Mini Monsteras are n’t heavy feeders , but since they run to put out so much new foliage during the growing season , they do appreciate a little bit of help . Try a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer stretch in water every month or so . A niggling goes quite a long manner .
Do n’t flow your houseplants if they ’re not grow well . It wo n’t make them produce any more leaves , it just hurt their roots ! This also applies during winter , when most tropicals tend to be inactive due to the broken temperature and dispirited tripping levels .
Recommend fertilizers for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma :
Pruning
Do you need to lop a mini Monstera ? Not of necessity . I ’ve never pruned mine by from very once in a while removing beat leaves at the bottom of its main shank .
If yours has locomote really wild and need a haircut , be sure to have a look at the discussion section on propagation below . cut can be re - rooted , so it would be a waste to shake off them away after a pruning session .
Dividing or repotting
A healthy Rhaphidophora tetrasperma will need steady repotting , at least the first few year . They can outgrow their planters fairly quickly . Dividing is n’t really an option , since this species does n’t grow in a clippety-clop manner . They can produce offshoots at their groundwork , but it ’s not something I see all that often .
It ’s time to repot your mini Monstera once you see root coming out of the drain hole or acknowledge the dirt drying out too promptly .
Repotting is best done in springtime or early summertime . lightly remove it from its hatful and give it a wag to remove extra soil from the roots . Go one pot size up , providing some dainty fresh grease . That should be enough to view as your plant over at least until next leap !
Propagating Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
You only call for a modest piece of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma to make a whole new specimen . Due to their foresightful stem , these works are ideal candidate for stem propagation , which is basically fancy language for decapitate . The nice thing is that the headless vine will re - sprout from a different growth point , so you do n’t have to worry about the female parent plant agony if you take cut .
clipping can be placed back in the female parent plant life ’s container to give her a full look or potted individually .
Here ’s how propagating mini Monstera work :
If you ’re propagate in filth , a dash of rooting hormonelike this onecan really help get your cutting jump , but it ’s not a must .
And voilà ! It ’s this simple to breed your plant in Holy Order to give away , deal , or just expand your own collection .
Common questions about Rhaphidophora tetrasperma care
Why is my Rhaphidophora tetrasperma not splitting?
How much light is your plant getting ? Unless it ’s a juvenile person , the most vulgar causal agent for leaves reverting to a non - fragmented appearance is idle starvation .
I accidentally divest my Rhaphidophora of light one summertime ( I had to keep the shutter closed due to my home becoming too blistering ) , and it right away put out some splitless leaves . Whoops ! No lasting damage , though ; once I pay it more light , new leaves began to come out split again .
Is Rhaphidophora tetrasperma toxic to cats and dogs?
Chewing on mini Monstera leaves can have annoying and swell in your pet ’s lip and throat , as the sap contains oxalic battery-acid . Permanent damage is very unlikely , but it may be a good idea to produce this species out of your furry ally ’s reach , particularly if you ’re dealing with a repeat offender .
germ :
Boyce , P. C. ( 1999 ) . The genus Rhaphidophora Hassk.(Araceae - Monsteroideae - Monstereae ) in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore . Gard . Bull . Singapore , 51(1 ) , 183 - 56 .
Boyce , P. C. , Zulhazman , H. , & Sofiman , O. A. ( 2012 ) . Studies on Monstereae ( Araceae ) of Peninsular Malaysia IV : The oracular Rhaphidophora corneri refound after 75 old age . Gard . Bull . Singapore , 64 , 281 - 288 .
