Home»House Plants»Monstera
Rhaphidophora decursiva ( ra - fid - Ohio - for - a ) is a very large climb plant with interesting fringed leaves . This tropical plant is epiphytic and hails from Southeast Asia , the forests of the Himalayas , Malaysia , and Africa .
It is a member of the Araceae family of plants , and there are about a hundred separate coinage . All of them produce flowers and enjoy scrambling up tree diagram and other climbing structures .
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The industrial plant ’s genus name , Raphidophora , is Greek and means “ needle bearer . ” The understanding for this is that the yield of this plant has sharp point . In New times , it may also cite the fact that the industrial plant ’s sap contain calcium oxalate crystals that can be toxic and are pretty sharp .
The specific epithet , decursiva , means “ downwards . ” This is a citation to the fact that the leaves be given to drop .
Synonymous names of this plant life include :
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You may listen the plant commonly referred to asMonstera , or Split Leaf Philodendron , or Pothos .
Rhaphidophora Decursiva Care
Size & Growth
In the wild , these air plant bond their airy origin and can go up to a height of 50′ foot . keep as a houseplant , you may expect them to top out at 5′ foot or so .
However , if you have the place and environment for it , you’re able to school your Monstera to cover a wall . Of course , this type of growth bet on providing the plant with the idealistic ( hobo camp - like ) sun , temperature , and humidity levels .
During cooler weather , Split - Leaf Philodendron postulate a resting and dormancy period . This down - clip allows the plant to keep up Department of Energy . During the autumn and the winter , the plant life will discontinue growing but will remain attractive and interesting .
matured leaves of Monstera are frond - like . untried leaves are like typical philodendron leaves , but as they maturate , they build up mysterious lobes that make them very interesting .
The mature lobate leaves are quite large . On outdoor plant , they may grow to be 20″ inches wide and 40″ inches long .
unseasoned leaves are bluish - greenish , but as they grow big and more mature , they become dark green .
Flowering & Fragrance
Split - Leaf Philodendron flower during the springtime and the summer , producing spathe and spadix inflorescence at the end of its long branches .
Light & Temperature
These flora can do well in collateral sunlight , filtered sunlight , and bright sunlight . The practiced situation provide full morning sun and some protection from the coarse rays of the good afternoon sun .
Indoors , it is best to place the plant in an east - facing or north - face window . West face and south - facing window return sunlight that is too harsh .
Split - Leaf Philodendron also does very well with fluorescent firing , so it makes a practiced office or kitchen plant .
These tropical plant like a systematically tender temperature ranging from 60 ° to 80 ° degrees Fahrenheit . Protect the plant from extremes in temperature .
They may be keep outside year - round in USDA hardiness zones 9B through 11 .
Watering & Feeding
Generally , these tropical plants like to be watered a mates of time a week during the growing season . However , in the autumn and winter , you’re able to reduce watering to once weekly .
Use the soak and dry lachrymation method . When the ground is ironic , urine exhaustively and wait until the top span of column inch of soil are juiceless before watering again .
Although most tropic plant need a humidness level as high as 80 % , Monstera can do well in a low humidity setting . It will do better when kept with a humidifier , pebble tray , and/or misted day by day .
Give your flora a monthly eating with a standard houseplant fertilizer mixed according to promotional material directions during the growing season . Do not fertilise during the autumn and winter months .
Soil & Transplanting
These epiphytic plants originate better in somewhat acidic , rich , very well - drain soil . Strive for a pH level between 5.5 and 6.0 .
To create a good potting mix , use a stock cactus mix or use regular potting dirt tossed in some orchid mix .
It ’s important to report your Split - Leaf Pothos yearly in the springtime . These flora do not do well if they are root - bound .
opt a pot that is a couple of inches larger around than the plant ’s current pot . Remove all old soil from the root clod and replant in completely raw fresh soil .
Grooming & Maintenance
lop your Monstera on a regular basis for fuller and more attractive growth . Pinch or trim away dead and give-up the ghost leaves and robustious tendrils . you could utilise cuttings to make new plants .
Other Rhaphidophora To Collect and Grow
Rhaphidophora tetraspermaresembles a miniature Monstera deliciosa
Rhaphidophora cryptantha – shingle vine
How To Propagate Rhaphidophora Decursiva
This works grows quite eagerly through stem slip . When you trim away errant tendril , you could pop out them into a container of H2O . Allow them to originate base and then pot them up .
you’re able to also protrude cuttings in damp potting soil , melodic phrase - layering or dissever your split - leaf Philodendron when you repot your plants .
Rhaphidophora Decursiva Pests and Diseases
If you may get the veracious balance of sunlight , temperature , good drainage , pee , and humidity level , your Monstera should be relatively pest and disease - free .
If your plant is overwatered , overcrowded , or kept in the wickedness , you may have trouble with :
Unfavorable weather can induce job with root rotting and stem rot .
You should also be aware that this plant life sometimes contracts Mosaic Virus , which causes yellow marking and lesion on the leave . When this chance , you must prune away the moved areas with a sharp , unimaginative clipping implement . Be sure to sterilize the blade before using it on any other plant .
Is The Plant Considered Toxic Or Poisonous To People, Kids, Pets?
As mentioned originally , the sap of this plant contains atomic number 11 oxalate watch crystal which are moderately toxic . Keep your Rhaphidophora decursiva out of the range of pets and minor , as ingestion can make swelling of the lip , lip , and throat along with stomachic distress . Contact with the sap may also cause dermatitis .
Is The Plant Considered Invasive?
While not formally name as invasive , Split - Leaf Philodendron could easily become quite invasive in a tropical or semi - tropical setting . When growing it outdoors in such a setting , take great care to keep it check .
Suggested Rhaphidophora Decursiva Uses
Monstera is an excellent addition to any home base , office , or garden setting that has the space for it , and it does well as a groundcover , clamber up a tree , fence , or trellis or implant in hang handbasket .
