Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (common names: “Mini Monstera“, Philodendron “Ginny”, Philodendron “Piccolo”) is a species of plant in the family Arace.

The most common nickname of Monstera Deliciosa is inspired by the leaves that get covered with holes that resemble that of the swiss cheese as it ages. The younger plants however have heart-shaped leaves. This is a tropical perennial plant from Central and South America that makes an aesthetic house plant with their shiny brood leaves. Swiss cheese plants are easy to grow, and it loves to climb. If you provide a stake or trellis for it to grow upwards, you’ll enjoy larger leaves with unique holes. This unusual plant was once trendy as a houseplant in the 1980s and is now reviving its popularity. It’s a fabulous statement plant and is an absolute must-have houseplant.

Common name: Swiss cheese plant, pancake plant, mirror grass, UFO plant, Missionary plant

Scientific name: Monstera Deliciosa

Size: Can grow upto 60 feet with proper support

Maintenance: Easy

Toxicity: Toxic only if ingested

Where to keep the plant: Prefers indirect sunlight. So anywhere in the living room is great.

Care Guide

Water: Once a week. Before watering, do the knuckle test. The knuckle test is when you stick a finger up to the knuckle into the soil to see how wet or dry the soil is. If the soil is nearly dry, water it.. Do not let the soil dry out completely.

Light: Indirect sunlight. If direct sunlight is unavoidable, limit the exposure to just two to three hours of the morning sun. This is because these plants are native to the jungles of Central and South America, where they grow under the coverage of trees.

Soil: This plant grows best in peat-based potting soil and prefers a pot with a large drainage hole. The peat aids in trapping moisture without allowing the soil to become waterlogged. For strong growth, aim for a soil pH of 5.5 to 7.0

Humidity: These are deep-jungle plants that thrive in extreme climates i.e high humidity and temperature, lots of moisture. The closer you can mimic the plant’s natural conditions, the better. Choose well-lit, warm, and humid spaces to grow them in.

Food: Fertilize when you water during the summer and spring months, then refrain from feeding during the fall and winter months.

Propagation: Propagation is best by using steam cuttings with a rooting hormone. Plant a cutting in a growing medium and keep them warm and protected until the new growth emerges. It can take a while for the cutting to develop roots, so be patient. Cuttings can also be rooted by inserting the ends in water for a few weeks. Once a web of roots appears, plant the cutting in soil.