The split leaves of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma are strongly reminiscent of one of its cousins, Monstera deliciosa. But it is a completely different plant that is very popular!
This beautiful wine plant is a little rare for sale and has showy fenestrated leaves. It is sometimes referred to as a "Mini Monstera Plant" because it resembles its relative, but in miniature. Evergreen and lush, this tropic is a great candidate for a houseplant. And if you live in a warm climate, you can also make it grow outside!
We provide all the information we have about this beautiful miracle with split leaves. It seems to be filled with the will to grow, so that even beginners will have an easy time with this tropic. Let's go through everything you need to know to grow it!
Good products for growing Mini Monstera plants:
Brief instructions on care
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plant
| Common Name (s): | Mini Monstera, Monstera "Ginny", Philodendron "Ginny" |
| Scientific name | Rhaphidophora tetrasperma |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Zone: | 9b-12, but should come in 9b-10 indoors when it's cold |
| Height & spread: | Often kept at 6 ″, but can go up to 12 ″. get high, 1.5-2 ’spread |
| light | Bright indirect light, limit the direct sun to avoid sunburn |
| ground | Moist, but very well drained |
| Water: | Keep the floor evenly moist but not wet as needed |
| Pests & diseases: | Spider mites, fungus root rot |
All about Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is a unique plant from the Araceae family. The evergreen wine plant comes from Malaysia and southern Thailand. The leaves look like miniatures of another plant, Monstera deliciosa, which is why it is commonly referred to as a mini-monster. However, it is a completely different species with much smaller leaves and no edible fruits.
The plant also bears the names Philodendron Piccolo and Ginny Philodendron.
It has small and delicate ornamental leaves with 6 "divided rags. The columns look like windows in the leaf, but remain small.
These vine plants use their aerial roots to climb trees or grids. These aerial roots cling to everything they are climbing up to stabilize them as they grow.
With small, green foliage, this plant grows quickly and prefers moist conditions. It can reach up to 12 feet in height, depending on local conditions. As a houseplant, it is usually grown on vines about 4 to 5 inches long.
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma Care
Mini Monstera leaves.
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is super easy to care for. This beautiful plant is perfect to breathe life into your living space. But it takes a few things to thrive.
Light & temperature
Bright, indirect light is ideal for your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. The leaves are shaped in such a way that the ambient light in their surroundings is optimally used. While it doesn't tolerate much direct sunlight, bright but indirect light mimics what it gets naturally in the wild. If you don't have a good outdoor location that meets the right lighting requirements, use a 20% -40% shade cloth to block some of the harder rays and soften the sunlight.
If you grow it indoors, you should make sure that it also gets a lot of light. Avoid direct sunlight as it can burn the delicate leaves. Eastern exposure windows often provide a good amount of light for this plant, and growing light can add additional ambient lighting. Avoid poor lighting conditions that slow down the growth of the plant and reduce the foliage.
Ideal temperatures are between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It tolerates slightly cooler temperatures, but is not frost-resistant at all. It grew in zones 9b-12, but performed best in zone 11. In zones 9b-10, it should be brought indoors if it is below 55 degrees. Make sure there is plenty of bright indirect light wherever it is placed!
Water & moisture
Uniform and even moisture is the key to growing these plants. They like uniform moisture at all times, but cannot tolerate damp, muddy soil conditions. It's best to test with a fingertip to see if the floor still feels damp before watering. If so, leave the pot alone for now and check it again the next day. Water slightly if necessary to keep the moisture content even.
In the cooler months of the year, you don't have to water as often as in spring or summer. If these plants grow actively, they need more water. Check the soil in your pot daily during this time!
Tropical plants like Rhaphidophora tetrasperma prefer a slightly higher humidity than expected. 50-60% humidity is a good level to aim directly around the plant. Use a humidifier or place your pot on a pebble bowl, with water coming out half way up the pebbles. The evaporation provides additional moisture exactly where your plant needs it.
ground
Well-drained, organically rich clay soil is a good basis for this plant. Add a little peat moss or some orchid bark to ensure extra drainage while still holding some moisture. Perlite can also improve drainage. Avoid soils that get wet or are excessively sandy. A pH of 6.0 to 6.5 should be fine for your plants.
fertilizer
A balanced, high quality fertilizer without urea or other harsh chemicals is preferred. Rhaphidophora plants have very sensitive roots and are susceptible to fertilizer burns. Opt for a slow-release, balanced organic fertilizer to reduce the risk of burns.
There are different recommendations for this plant, but they all agree on one thing: it is regularly fertilized during its active growth phase. A monthly regime is best for liquid organic fertilizers, and biweekly for highly diluted chemical liquid fertilizers. For slow-release organic fertilizers, follow the manufacturer's instructions and do not overdo it.
repotting
This plant is very fond of plenty of room for root development. When potting, make sure it has a deep container. For example, suppose a full-size sample requires a pot that is at least 10 inches in diameter, but can eventually grow to 20 inches in width. Choose a pot one or two inches wider than your existing one that is at least 10 inches deep and possibly more.
Be careful with the plant when repotting. Take it out of the pot and dust off the older soil from the root system. Check the symptoms for root rot and remove all parts formed with a sterile knife or cutting scissors. Make sure that you sterilize again between cuts. Repot to the same depth as before with your prepared and available potting soil.
Pruning / training
Both pruning and training are important for this plant. As a climber, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma loves to hold on to something, so it's important to provide a sturdy grid or stakes. As you grow, the aerial roots snap into place on the support you provide. However, you can help by using strips of soft fabric (old t-shirt material is perfect) or a wide plastic plant support band.
Pruning is mainly used to remove sick or pest-damaged material and to keep it at a certain size. It can also be used to reduce the leggy growth caused by too little light on one side of the plant. Use clean scissors to cleanly trim off excess growth, but never remove too much of the plant. A reduction of up to 25% is fine, but you also risk damaging your plant.
proliferation
The multiplication of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is surprisingly easy. Choose healthy cuttings with at least a few leaf nodes. Place your cuttings in a glass of water or in damp potting soil. Make sure the bottom leaf node is below the surface. From this point on, roots form.
If you use water, replace it with fresh water at least once a day. Once the roots are at least an inch or two long, you can turn your cuttings into a potting soil. If you started mixing straight away, keep the cut alive and wait at least a month. Then pull gently to see if there is any resistance. If so, roots have formed and you can treat it as a new plant.
Troubleshooting
A young Raphidophora tetrasperma plant.
R. tetrasperma is not particularly difficult to grow, but it can face a handful of problems. Let's look at them and how to fix them when they appear.
Growing problems
One of the most common problems for gardeners with R. tetrasperma is that they find it become long-legged, It sends out additional growth if it does not receive enough light. While bright indirect light is best for this plant, make sure it gets plenty of it! If necessary, small amounts of direct sun can help. Rotating the plant regularly so that everything has access to the light can also help reduce long-legged growth.
While your plant definitely likes even moisture, it doesn't mean you should water it every day. Excessive pouring can lead to conditions that are optimal for the development of fungal root rot. Monitor the moisture in the soil and water your pot only when needed.
pests
The most common pest for your R. tetrasperma is spider mites, These annoying little pests can damage your plant's leaves and stems by sucking out the sap. They are difficult to spot, but the damage they cause includes yellowed or speckled leaf surfaces and occasional scars on the leaf.
Use neem oil to combat these nuisances. You can also consider using a pyrethrin-based spray if the problem is severe, but Neem should address most of your mite problems.
Diseases
R. tetrasperma is a stubborn and strong plant and appears to be impervious to many common plant diseases. What it cannot handle is Pilzwurzelfäule, This condition, caused by soil fungi, can be devastating to your plant.
While there is little way to treat this condition, its prevention is far better than trying to find a cure. Keep the floor moist but not damp. Avoid standing water around the plant. You may want to consider better soil drainage if you had to cut away rotten roots during a transplant.
frequently asked Questions
Q: Is Rhaphidophora tetrasperma toxic to cats or dogs?
A: Like Monstera deliciosa and other members of the Araceae family, R. tetrasperma has calcium oxalate in the juice. These insoluble materials can cause a variety of problems in small animals, including drooling, vomiting, oral irritation, and burning or swallowing difficulties. Keep this out of the reach of your pets.
Q: What is the difference between Monstera deliciosa and Rhaphidophora tetrasperma?
A: They are two different types of plants. Closely related, but they are two different types. M. deliciosa is a much larger plant, and Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is similar to it (which is why it is often referred to as a "mini monster"), but they have different growth tendencies. Their care is pretty similar and both grow beautiful plants, but Rhaphidophora has smaller leaves and does not produce edible fruits.
The green thumbs behind this article:
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener
