How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

The split leaves of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma are quite reminiscent of one of its cousins, Monstera deliciosa. But it’s an entirely different plant which is greatly popular!

A bit rare to find for sale, this lovely vining plant has striking fenestrated leaves. It’s sometimes called the “mini monstera plant” as it resembles its relative but in miniature. Evergreen and lush, this tropical is a great candidate as a houseplant. And if you live in a warm climate, you might coax it to grow outside, too!

We’re providing all the information we have available on this lovely, split-leaved wonder. It seems infused with the will to grow, so even beginners will have an easy time with this tropical. Let’s go over everything you need to know to grow it!

What is Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma?

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is a unique plant from the Araceae family. Its leaves look like miniatures of another plant, Monstera deliciosa, which is why it’s commonly referred to as mini monstera. However, it’s an entirely different species, with much smaller leaves and no edible fruit.

The mini monstera also goes by the names of Philodendron ‘Piccolo’ and ginny philodendron. 

Native Area

The evergreen vining plant is native to Malaysia and Southern Thailand. These vining plants use their aerial roots to climb trees or trellises. These roots latch on to whatever they’re clambering up to stabilize them as they grow.

Characteristics

It has small and dainty ornamental leaves with six-inch split lobes. The splits look like windows in the leaf, but they remain small. 

With small, green foliage, this plant grows fast and prefers moist conditions. It can reach up to a height of 12 feet, depending on the local conditions. As a houseplant, it’s typically maintained at around four to five feet length vines.

Planting

This plant is quite partial to having lots of room for root development. When you pot it up, ensure it’s in a deep container. Assume a full-sized specimen is going to need a pot that’s at least ten inches in diameter, but it can reach widths of 20″ over time. Choose a pot that is an inch or two wider than your existing one, with at least ten inches of depth and possibly more.

How to Grow

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is super easy to care for. This lovely plant is perfect for bringing life into your living space. But it does need a few things to thrive.

Light

Bright, indirect light is ideal for your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Its leaves are shaped in a way that makes the most of the ambient light in its area. While it can’t tolerate a lot of direct sunlight, bright but indirect lighting mimics what it naturally gets in the wild. If you lack a good location outdoors that supplies the right lighting requirements, use a 20%-40% shade cloth to block some of the harsher rays and mellow the sunlight.

Those growing it indoors should ensure it gets plenty of light, too. Avoid direct sunlight because it can scorch the delicate leaves. Eastern exposure windows often provide a good amount of light for this plant, and a grow light can add extra ambient lighting. Avoid low-light conditions which will slow the growth rate and reduce its leafy foliage.

Water

Consistent and even moisture is key for growing the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. They like even moisture at all times, but they can’t tolerate soggy, muddy soil conditions. It’s best to test with a fingertip to see if the soil still feels moist before watering. If it does, then leave the pot alone for now and check again the next day. Water lightly when needed to keep that even moisture level.

During the cooler months of the year, you won’t need to water as often as during the spring or summer. When they are in active growth, they’ll need more water. Check the soil in your pot daily during these times!

Tropical plants like Rhaphidophora tetrasperma prefer the humidity to be a bit higher around it than one would expect. Humidity of 50-60% is a good level to aim for directly around the plant. Use a humidifier, or place your pot on top of a pebble tray with water coming halfway up the pebbles. Evaporation will provide extra humidity right where it needs it.

Soil

Well-draining, organic-rich loamy soil is a good base for this plant. Add a little peat moss or orchid bark to provide extra drainage while still holding some moisture. Perlite can also improve drainage. Avoid potting mix that becomes waterlogged, or that is excessively sandy. A pH level of 6.0-6.5 should be fine for your houseplant.

Temperature

Ideal temperatures are between 55-85°F (13-29°C). It is tolerant of slightly cooler temperatures but isn’t frost-hardy. It’s grown in zones 9b-12 but performs best in zone 11. For zones 9b-10, it should be brought indoors if it’s below 55°F (13°C). Be sure it has plenty of bright indirect light wherever it’s placed!

Fertilizing

A balanced, high-quality fertilizer that lacks urea or other harsher chemicals is preferred. Rhaphidophora tetrasperma have very sensitive roots and are susceptible to fertilizer burn. Opt for a slow-release balanced organic fertilizer to reduce the chance of burning.

There are varying recommendations for this plant, but all agree on one point – it enjoys regular fertilizing throughout its active growing phase. A monthly regimen is best for liquid organic fertilizers, and biweekly for heavily diluted chemical liquid fertilizers. For slow-release organic fertilizers, follow the manufacturer’s directions and don’t overdo it.

Maintenance

When repotting, be gentle with the plant. Remove it from its pot and dust the older soil away from the root system. Check for symptoms of root rot and remove any that has formed with a sterile knife or pruning snips, being sure to sterilize again between cuts. Repot at the same depth it was previously with your prepared and available potting mix. 

Both pruning and training are important for this plant. As a climber loves to hang onto something, providing a sturdy trellis, moss pole, or solid stakes is important. As it becomes a mature plant, its aerial roots will latch onto the support you’ve provided, but you can assist by using strips of soft cloth (old t-shirt material is perfect) or a wide plastic plant support tape.

Pruning is mostly done to remove diseased or pest-damaged material and to keep it at a specific size. It can also be used to reduce leggy growth resulting from too little light reaching one side of the plant. Use clean snips to neatly cut off excess growth, but do not take off too much of the plant at any given time. Reducing it by up to 25% is fine, but beyond that, you’re risking damage to your houseplant.

Propagation

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma propagation is surprisingly easy. Select a healthy stem cutting with at least a few leaf nodes. Set your stem cutting into a glass of water or moistened potting soil. Make sure that the lowest leaf node is under the surface. Roots will form from that point.

If using water, change it out for fresh at least once per day. Once the roots are at least an inch or two long, you can transfer your cuttings into a potting mix. With ones started directly in the mix, keep the cutting alive and wait for at least a few weeks, then very lightly pull on it to see if there’s resistance. If there is, roots have formed, and you can treat it as a new plant. 

Common Problems

R. tetrasperma isn’t particularly difficult to grow, but can face a handful of problems. Let’s go over those and how to resolve them if they appear.

Growing Problems

One of the most common issues for gardeners is that they find it’s growing leggy. It’ll send out extra growth if it’s not receiving enough light. While bright indirect light is best for this plant, be sure it receives a lot of it! If needed, small amounts of direct sun can help. Turning the plant regularly so that all of it has access to the light can also help reduce legginess and promote healthy growth.

While your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma definitely likes consistent moisture, you should not water it every day. Excessive watering can lead to conditions optimal for fungal root rot development. Monitor the moisture in the soil and only water your pot if necessary.

Pests

The most common pest is spider mites. These annoying little pests may cause damage to the leaves and stems as they suck the sap out. They’re hard to see, but the damage they cause includes yellow leaves or speckled leaf surfaces and occasional scarring to the leaf.

Ensure there’s enough humidity to keep spider mites from colonizing your plant. They tend to enjoy dry and dusty areas most. Use neem oil to combat these annoyances.

Diseases

A stubborn and strong plant, it appears impervious to a lot of common plant diseases. What it can’t handle is fungal root rot. This condition, caused by soil-borne fungi, can devastate your Rhaphidophora tetrasperma.

While there’s little to no way to treat this condition once it forms, prevention is far better than trying to find a cure. Keep the soil damp, but not soggy. Avoid standing water around the plant. You may want to consider better-draining soil if you’ve already had to trim rotten roots away during a transplant.

Frequently Asked Questions