A tropical plant that thrives indoors is Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. The plant has divided leaves that make it resemble a Monstera deliciosa or Philodendron species. The Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is really a Ginny philodendron, or Philodendron Piccolo, and is often referred to as a Mini monstera. RPaphidophora tetrasperma is not connected to monsteras or philodendrons, despite being a member of the Araceae family.
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma Care Overview
To care for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma Place the plant in indirect sunlight that is bright. Plant in a well-drained soil mix. Monthly apply a balanced fertilizer to Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. 68°F to 80°F (16°C to 27°C) is the optimum temperature range. Only when the top inch (2.5 cm) of water is gone should you water the plant.
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma Information
Indoor care of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is simple. They don’t grow as large as certain Monsteras or Swiss cheese plants because to their compact growth form. These plants, like trailing philodendrons, look lovely in hanging baskets and belong to the arum plant family (aroid). Alternatively, long stems could climb a moss pole like this. Place your monstera-like plant on a table or shelf, with the split leaves hanging over the pot.
The Rhaphidophora tetrasperma may be the best houseplant for you if you’re looking for a small Monstera because you have limited space. You’ll learn how to maintain a Rhaphidophora tetrasperma in this article. If you have experience caring for Monsteras or Philodendrons, looking after this tropical house plant will be simple.
How to Care for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
For caring for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plants, there are three fundamental requirements. Here are some of them:
- Adequate lighting
- Moist, but not soggy soil
- High levels of humidity
Let’s take a closer look at how to care for this lovely tropical plant.
Light Requirements for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
The Rhaphidophora tetrasperma requires bright light, similar to Philodendron and Monstera, but it should be kept away from direct sunlight. It’s a beautiful day when the sun is filtered and dappled. Place your plant in an east-facing room, where it will be exposed to morning sunlight and shade for the remaining part of the day. Just ensure that the lighting is adequate.
Even though it thrives in low-light settings, this houseplant’s leaves will fade if it is kept in the shade for too long. It could be a symptom of insufficient light if your stems on your “mini monstera” don’t split. Therefore, relocate it to a more well-lit area. This fast-growing houseplant will also grow slowly due to dim growing conditions.
It’s also important to protect the plant from exposure to direct sunlight. Black or brown patches will develop on the glossy green leaves if there are too many hours of direct sunlight. If required, relocate the plant pot to a shade area and trim any damaged leaves.
How to Water Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
Proper watering is one of the most important care requirements for the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. When the top 1″ (2.5 cm) of soil is dry, you must water Rhaphidophoras, Philodendrons, and Monsteras. This implies that the roots of the plant should be keptmoist, but not waterlogged.
This is how to water a Rhaphidophora tetrasperma:
- Make sure that the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma soil in the top layer has dried out.
- Let your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma drink until it is no longer drinking from the bottom.
- Wait until the water stops dripping before you start.
- Return the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma pot to a sunny spot.
- Make sure that the tray collects water. To keep the plant from flooding, empty the tray. Over-watering is indicated by yellow leaves.
Many individuals make two frequent errors when watering plants: watering them on a fixed schedule or just shallowly. Soil moisture is affected by a variety of factors. During the winter, for example, plants require less watering than they do during the spring and summer. The moisture in your potting mixture is influenced by a number of factors:
- The pot—More moisture is retained in plastic and ceramic pots than terracotta pots.
- Air temperature—In warm weather, potting soil dries more quickly than in chilly weather.
- The season—In the autumn and winter, most houseplants go dormant and need less water and fertilizer to survive.
- Type of potting mix—In a well-draining, light potting mix, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, Monsteras, and Philodendrons must grow.
It is preferable to under-water tropical houseplants rather than over-water them when it comes to watering. The root ball of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma should never dry out or become waterlogged, regardless of how long it’s been stored.
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma Soil
Aerated, light soil that drains well is the best kind of potting soil for all types of aroids, including Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Peat-based, fertile soil with perlite, pine bark, and some sphagnum moss makes for the finest kind of potting mix for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma.
Nutrients and moisture are held in the organic matter of the potting soil mix. Air circulates while water drains thanks to the other ingredients.
An orchid potting mix would be suitable to grow Rhaphidophora tetrasperma since it has aerial roots. When it comes to the perfect potting soil, here’s what you want to check: it must hold moisture but never become soggy or waterlogged.
If water collects on the surface, you can tell if it’s time to swap the potting substrate or repot your plant.
Some reasons for poor drainage could be any of the following:
- Water can’t flow through the soil, and the plant has become rootbound.
- The potting medium is too clay-rich and drains poorly.
Refill the potting soil, cut the roots, and repot the plant in order to improve drainage.
Care tip for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma:The bottom of the container should always have drainage holes.
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma Care: Humidity
All tropical houseplants need high humidity levels over time. The humidity level of 30 to 40% is ideal for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Household humidity is usually insufficient for Monstera, Philodendron, and Rhaphidophora plants.
You may take care of your plants well if you mist their leaves, use a humidifier, or put them among other houseplants. Try one of the following methods to ensure that your tropical plants stay hydrated:
- Misting spray—Every two to three days, spray your plants with a spray bottle full of distilled water. A fine mist is the most effective way to spray above and around the plant. Spraying the leaves directly is prohibited.
- Room humidifier—To increase air moisture levels, use a humidifier. During the winter, when heating tends to suck moisture out of the air, this is occasionally necessary.
- Humidifying tray—Placing your gorgeous Rhaphidophora tetrasperma on a pebble and water tray is the simplest way to humidify it. On a tray that is larger than your pot, layer some tiny stones/ Pebbles. Halfway up the stones, fill the dish with water. Make sure the container does not sit in water before placing the plant pot on the stones.
The Best Temperature for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
In typical indoor temperatures, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma thrives. Between 68°F to 80°F (16°C to 27°C) is the optimum temperature for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. It’s crucial to maintain a consistent temperature while caring for your plant. Your tropical plant will usually feel at ease in your room if you feel comfortable there.
During the summer or winter, caring for indoor plants may be difficult. Temperature fluctuations caused by the air conditioning or heating may be stressful to your glossy green plant. As a result, do not put the pot near to or in chilly breezes. You may move your Rhaphidophora tetraspermas pot outside during the summer.
It may be a nice addition to your outdoor space, balcony, or deck. It’s critical to keep the temperature above 50°F (10°C) at all times of the day or night. Also, keep the pot in a basket or in an area with partial shade and dappled sunlight.
How to Fertilize Your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
It’s vital to feed a healthy Rhaphidophora tetrasperma every week or two. Use a slow-release houseplant fertilizer to fertilize Rhaphidophora tetrasperma every four months. Every month, apply a liquid-based houseplant fertilizer. Because too much fertilizer can cause root burn, don’t overdo it with feeding.
A build-up of mineral salts may occur in plants growing in pots indoors. A mineral buildup can slow down growth, cause leaves to curl, or even kill your plant even if you are feeding your plant properly.
Flush the soil every three to four months to minimize the accumulation of salts in the potting mixture. Flushing the soil is important for your Rhaphidophora plant to survive:
- In a bath or sink, place the plant pot.
- Over two to three minutes, pour water into the soil slowly.
- When no more water flows through, remove all of the soil’s water and replace it on the drip tray.
- When the soil gets somewhat dry, resume watering your plant.
- After flushing, apply liquid fertilizer a month later.
Repotting a Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
These tropical houseplants need repotting at least once a year, and they are prolific growers. When roots protrude from the drainage holes, you can tell when it’s time to repot a Rhaphidophora. Also, indications that it’s time to repot is when the plant growth has ceased or water begins to flow slowly.
Repotting is a fun way to interact with your houseplants and keep them healthy. You may examine the roots for signs of illness, replace the potting soil, and move to a bigger container to encourage development.
Here is how to repot a Rhaphidophora tetrasperma:
- Remove the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma from the pot with care.
- Remove the roots of your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plant’s excess soil.
- Remove any dead or rotting roots you find.
- Fill the new pot with the proper potting soil halfway.
- In the new pot, put your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Make sure that it is growing at the same height as before.
- Fill in the remaining space with new potting soil.
Make sure to sterilize the pot before reusing if you decide to repot in the same container to limit growth. In order for the plant to avoid becoming rootbound, you should also trim off some of the roots.
How to Prune Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
If you want to keep your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma size, prune it in the spring. Pruning a Philodendron or Monstera is the same as pruning Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. The leaf stems where they connect to the main stem were cut using sterile pruning shears.
You can also pinch off the vine tips by hand. Pruning may aid in the management of leggy development if you are cultivating your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma in a hanging basket. Taking stem cuttings to reproduce the plant is another good reason to trim it.
How to Propagate Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
Snip off a stem with one node and three or four leaves from Rhaphidophora tetrasperma to grow it. The place where the leaves begin to develop is called a node. Before the first leaves, remove the ones at the node to leave three or four inches (7 – 10 cm) of stem. In a jar of water, place the end of the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma stem.
Wait until the new roots are around 2 inches (5 cm) long before you notice them. Put the rooted cutting into a small container with fresh potting soil. Like with Monstera and Philodendron plants, care for your new Rhaphidophora tetrasperma.
Is Rhaphidophora tetrasperma Toxic?
Cats, dogs, and other household pets should not be exposed to Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plants. The plant family Araceae, which includes Monsteras and Philodendrons, includes Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Plants from the Araceae family contain insoluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic to animals, according to the ASCPA.
Oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, or mouth irritation are all symptoms of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma poisoning in dogs and cats.
Pests and Diseases that Affect Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
Spider mites and root rot are the two most common problems for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plants. Spider mites are present if your little monstera has webbing beneath its leaves. The sap of your plant is eaten by these little insects. Your whole plant might perish if the invadion is not treated. As a result, getting rid of these plant-damaging mites is critical.
Because it is caused by over-watering, root rot is typically preventable. Thus, wait until the potting mixture becomes mostly dry before watering if you observe that leaves are becoming yellow and the soil is excessively wet. Repotting a dying plant in fresh potting soil is the only way to save it from root rot in a worst-case scenario.
FAQ About Caring for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
There are still a few problems that may affect the growth of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plants, even though they are simple to care for at home.
Why are Rhaphidophora tetrasperma leaves not splitting?
Plants like Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, Swiss cheese plants, and split-leaf Philodendron should have their leaves split as they age. The leaves of your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plant don’t split as they should because the plant lacks sunlight. Try shifting the plant to a more shady area, but keep it out of the sun.
Is Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma a Monstera?
No. Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is not a Monstera, despite the fact that it resembles one. While this isn’t correct, the plants are sometimes referred to as “mini Monstera.” The Araceae family includes the plants Philodendrons, Monstera, and Rhaphidophora. Yet, they are all different genera.
How do you get Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma to climb?
Rhaphidopora is a natural climber, similar to Monstera plants. All you have to do is help the aerial roots attach themselves by providing some support. You might utilize a moss pole in the middle of the pot or mount it on a wall.
Why are my Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma leaves curling?
Overfertilizing and low humidity are the two most common reasons for the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma leaves to curl and develop crisp tips. Flush the soil to eliminate excess mineral salts if you want to solve these issues. After that, for the next few months, feed sparingly. To help your plant recover from a lack of humidity, mist it daily if curling leaves are the cause.
Why is my Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma droopy?
A watering problem, either too much or too little water, is the most common cause of droopy leaves in Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Adjust your watering schedule as needed, check the moisture levels in the soil. Giving your plants too much water is indicated by yellow leaves that droop.