People are often confused that Rhaphidophora tetrasperma & Monstera deliciosa are the same home decorating plants or not? Well! They look very similar to each other but they definitely are different from each other when we see their taxonomic hierarchy.
The other question that may arise in people’s minds on listening to their different genetics – if it’s that then will care guide for both be different? We’ll answer this soon! On the same page – don’t worry! But before that, you need some other things inside your wit to understand further!
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Why care of mini monstera & monstera deliciosa is essential?
Care for everything you love is the utmost requirement. The same thing is for the plants that you love to have in your house. If you want your mini monstera (another name of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) & monstera deliciosa, growing healthy and fast, you must take care of them but in a suggested and professional way.
Now come to the answer to the above-mentioned question – is the care guide for both really the same? People may think that a care guide may be different but it is really not! Both plants may have different lineage but the care strategies are quite the same. We’ll guide you here through the care strategies that will help you out in taking care of both plants but in the more professional and scientific way, you may have ever seen!
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma care guide
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma variegated body needs different conditions for thriving best throughout their life. These are;
- Light
- Water
- Soil
- Fertilizer
- Temperature
- Designer Tip
- Pet –precaution
Light
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma needs bright but indirect light. Indirect light means you aren’t putting your plant directly under the sun. Place your mini monstera where light comes to plant through curtains, trees, or windows. The best place for your mini monstera plant is a south-facing window in which it enjoys the most sun and low levels of light. Keep in mind, direct sunlight will scorch the leaves if you don’t pay attention to it.
Water
There must always be moisture in the soil of mini monstera or Monstera deliciosa – it should never get dried out. But when do you need to water the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma? Water the soil when the top quarter-third is dried out!
Evenly water the soil all around the plant and let the water drain out. If you see there’s dust on the leaves, to revive their beauty, wipe them with a wet cloth. Because of being tropical, the plant also needs regular misting as well.
Soil – How to propagate Rhaphidophora tetrasperma?
For propagation of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, the soil must be light and well-draining. The selection of soil for the plant is very important. The soil must be organic providing sufficient room for larger leaves to grow easily e.g. Good Dirt Potting Mix
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For propagating Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, you’ll need a stem cutting from a healthy plant. For that, take a stem cutting from the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma plant and place it in water, soil, or moss to produce roots. But be patient! It can take several weeks to burst the roots out.
Fertilizer
Don’t forget to fertilize your plant once a month during the growing seasons i.e. summer and spring. Avoid fertilizer with high urea amounts and harsh chemicals. These plants are very sensitive and are known to be prone to fertilizer burn. So, be careful while choosing a fertilizer for these sensitive root plants.
Don’t fertilize the plant in winter and autumn. For a liquid organic fertilizer, fertilize once a month. For a slow-release fertilizer and diluted chemical liquid fertilizer, follow the directions vigilantly. To make fertilizer at home, mix 1 tsp of Good Dirt Plant Food into 1 gallon of water a week (during summer and spring).
Temperature
The optimum temperature at which Rhaphidophora tetrasperma shows maximum and good growth vary between, 55 to 58℉. This plant can tolerate cooling surroundings but not freezing ones. If the outdoor temperature drops below 55℉, place the plant indoors. But still, ensure the provision of indirect and bright sunlight to the plant.
Designer Tip
You can grow this plant more beautifully in a hanging planter. Other than that, you can also make it grow upward on a moss pole.
Pet-Precaution
This plant is toxic and shouldn’t be used as an eatable. Prevent your pets from accidentally ingesting it. If ingested can cause severe loss. So keep an eye on your pets while having Rhaphidophora tetrasperma & Monstera deliciosa in your house.
Conclusion
To put it in nutshell, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma/ mini monstera and Monstera deliciosa both are different plants. But they need almost the same care. But one thing to be considered while taking care of them is, never ingest these toxic plants so that you continue to enjoy nature!