Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Does this name mean anything to you? As much as possible is not. But if we say a minimum of monstera, things can change. It is a plant very similar to the most well-known monsteras, but this one is not (despite its beauty itself).
Want to know more about her? Would you like us to tell you about the differences with other monsteras or why choose it over other plants? Well said and well done, below you have all the information you need to know about her.
Contents
Features of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
Source: Hogarmania
The name Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is the scientist, but in the market, in addition to this name, you can find it by monstera minima, philodendron Ginny or philodendron Piccolo (I understand this word by “small”, not by some Namekian who lives on Earth).
East native to Thailand and Malaysia and from what you’ve seen it’s usually confused with monstera deliciosa (because it’s very similar) or with some philodendron or epipremnum (especially pinnatum). The natural habitat of this plant is usually a forest that ranges from dry to humid (that is, it can tolerate different environments).
It grows between a meter and a meter and a half in height if it is indoors. However, if you put it in the garden and it is well maintained, do not be surprised that it can exceed three and a half meters.
The most beautiful of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma are your windows. If you’ve never heard this word before, we’ll tell you what these leaf holes are. He is a climber and the truth is that he is growing quite quickly. In some countries, they even consider it invasive due to its speed of growth, especially outdoors.
One of the main differences between the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma and the monstera deliciosa is, above all, in its size. The one we are talking about is usually smaller and also differs in leaf color tone and texture.
The leaves of the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
In this case, the leaves are lanceolate or oval in shape. Each sheet has holes or different shapes (its fenestrations) and this makes it unique among them.
if you touch You will feel that its leaves are very thin and at the same time flexible. This does not happen in monstera deliciosa, they are more rigid.
As for the color of the leaves, they are usually light green, not as dark as those of the deliciosa.
There Rhaphidophora tetrasperma throw flowers?
If you’re wondering, the answer is yes, throw them away. But it’s not easy to see it inside. It only happens when we have it in the garden or outside the house.
If you are lucky enough to have one outside, and it is well maintained, it will most likely produce canoe-shaped flowers. First a kind of spathe comes out. Inside there will be a spadix from which clusters of very small, but very beautiful flowers will emerge.
Now the truth is If you expect them to have a scent, you’ll be left behind because it doesn’t. It is a plant that does not emit any type of odor. So if ever it smells bad to you, you can now check the soil and the roots as it is a warning that they are rotting due to over watering.
Be careful it’s toxic
As with other aroid plants, the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma It was not going to be less in terms of toxicity. It is not suitable if you have pets or children because Contains calcium oxalate crystals.
If you are sensitive to this element you may suffer from irritation (to touch or brushing) as well as discomfort.
If pets or children also eat leaves, they may experience mouth and throat irritation, as well as burning, numbness, etc. And if he takes too much (for example, by a plant-loving dog), it can lead to death.
Care of the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
Source: Youtube Succulent Eden
Have a Rhaphidophora tetrasperma home is a luxury. But you need to make sure you take good care of it. For this reason, we want to leave you here the main care that should not be neglected. These are:
Lightning
In its natural habitat this plant grows in partial shade we can therefore have the intuition that he will ask you for light, but not directly but indirectly.
If you place it outside, a good idea may be to place it under a tree. This way you will use it to climb.
Temperature
Ideal for this plant it is between 12 and 29 degrees. It does not support low temperatures, and it especially does not shower with high ones. So if you live in an area that is very cold and very hot, unless you can adapt to it, you are going to have a hard time with this plant.
Substrate
The land for the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma must be very rich in organic matter. A mixture of peat and perlite would be ideal. Of course, make sure the soil pH is slightly acidic or neutral.
Irrigation
There Rhaphidophora tetrasperma It’s a bit picky in this regard. He likes to have a moist soil, but not waterlogged because that will only rot the roots.
Try to establish an order, and only when you see that the earth dries up can you water.
In the summer, it may need more water, but in the winter, with the humidity that exists, you may not have to water it.
Speaking of Humidity, the best thing for this plant is to have it between 50 and 60%. You can tolerate less, but if it drops to 30 or less, it’s best to have a humidifier nearby to help control your hydration.
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From spring to fall, you must pay it because rapid growth consumes nutrients very, very quickly. At first you can throw it once a month but if you see that it is very active, you can dose it every 15 days.
Multiplication
It can be reproduced by cuttings. When you can you can use some of these cuttings to bring out new plants. For this, it is important that the stem has a node and at least one leaf. If you put it in water, it will come out with no problem.
Additionally, you can also get seeds, but these will take much longer to grow and be considered a plant.
Apps
Source: Costa Farms
Finally, we want to tell you about the uses of the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Really, beyond the decorative, there are no others. It is ideal to put both inside and outside the house. But not only as a high pot, but also as a pendant, because it can be another way.
even a few, what they do is give it a certain shape to make it look better.
At the medicinal level or to manufacture elements we have not found any reference to this plant.
Now that you know the Rhaphidophora tetraspermaWould you dare to have it at home?