Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma: Ultimate Care Guide

Never ignore your variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma if you notice any curled, droopy, brown leaves, which might indicate humidity and soil problems.

Coming across a rare beautiful plant can be intimidating. However, stay calm and continue the article to grow your mini Monstera without any problem.

Overview of Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

Variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is a small, rare tropical basket vine native to Malaysia and southern Thailand that shows off chimeral variegation.

Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma: Ultimate Grow & Care Guide

Unlike other plants, variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma can tolerate little care. But it can cost the plant’s health if you go too far.

Ensure you have provided your Rhaphidophora with full care, considering the following requirements.

1. Sunlight and Temperature

Belonging to a forest area makes variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma prefer the shade of tall trees in mild to warm temperatures.

Also, keep the plant in direct light for at least 3 hours to prevent discoloration of leaves and loss of variegation with stunted growth.

However, avoid excess exposure as it can lead to increased temperature causing Tetrasperma to lose water at a higher rate and turn yellow and droop with sunburns.

The best you can do for the variegated Rhaphidophora is to place it in an east or west-facing window or use grow light for at least 12 hours.

As for the temperature balance, use a heating mat or frost blanket during the frost days while avoiding the heating vents area.

2. Watering and Humidity

Variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma prefers moist but not soggy soil. Thus, hydrate your plant moderately by keeping humidity above 50%.

Also, check the top 1-2 inches of the topsoil with an index finger or chopstick to maintain the water level to the optimal requirement.

You can also look out for some symptoms like leaves turning yellow, with extending brown tops in case of low moisture and humidity.

Administer the problem immediately using humidity trays, a humidifier, or rainwater to mist the soil once every 2-3 days.

However, if your schedule goes wrong and the plant suffers from overwatering, stop watering and place the plant under direct light to let the excess water dry thoroughly.

3. Soil and Fertilizer

Though variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is a tropical aroid, it needs less water and prefers soil that dries up adequately by holding enough nutrients.

The DIY needs fertilization monthly or once every 2-4 weeks during active seasons with an all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer.

However, if you use store-bought mixes like Ocean Potting Mix, Miracle-Gro Indoor Mix, and Wonder Soil Mix, wait six months to prevent root burn and salt accumulation over the soil due to overfertilization.

But if you miss the right time to feed the variegated Rhaphidophora, it can suffer from nutrient deficiency and show stunted growth.

So for the best result, always follow fertigation, where fertilizer is mixed with the water to fulfill both requirements.

Peat-based, rich soil combined with pine bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss is the finest potting mix for Rhaphidophora tetrasperma.

4. Potting and Repotting

Given the moderate to fast-growing rate, variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma fills the pot within a year or two and becomes root bound.

The signs noticed before repotting are roots poking out from the topsoil and drainage hole with tightened soil.

Choose a terracotta pot two inches wider than the recent one. Border the bottom with pebbles and rocks to avoid excess water.

Then, fill the new planter with a new layer of fresh potting mix and press it down to avoid air spaces.

Place the plant in the center of the fresh soil and add soil mix around the plant to secure it. Lastly, water the repotted Rhaphidosphora thoroughly to prevent repotting stress.

5. Occasional Pruning

Pruning is not mandatory for variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma until you notice any damaged, diseased, yellow leaves.

So immediately look out for horticultural oil, neem oil or insecticidal soap to keep the insects at bay.

However, if the symptoms appear as red spots or reddish-brown patches, cankers, and damping off of leaves, doubt for fungal diseases.

You can treat them by isolating the affected plants, trimming off the damaged parts and spraying the copper-rich fungicide.

Pruning variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is ideal during the spring season.

Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma: All About the Growth Rate

Variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is a fast-growing indoor plant that can grow up to 12 feet (3.65 meters) in its natural habitat.

The plant’s aerial roots reach the trees in their native environment to acquire sunlight and nutrients.

The plant has green ornamental heart-shaped leaves extending up to 6 inches with split lobes and fenestration in the leaf surface.

Also, the best part Rhaphidophora tetrasperma owners can leverage is a cluster of small flowers with having canoe-shaped spathe, which can grow up to 3.5cm (1.4 inches).

Toxicity of Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

The beautiful leaves and hues of variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma not only attract gardeners but also is an attraction for your furry pets.

Pets that have consumed the plant part shows symptom like oral irritation, intense burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

If these symptoms persist in your pets, contact the immediate helpline numbers below.

• Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
• The Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
• The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC): (800) 222-1222

Propagation Methods of Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

Propagating variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma is easy if done by stem cutting alongside other methods like seeds and air layering.

However, propagation through aerial roots, a nodeless stem, or even a leaf with a petiole is impossible.

Steps to Propagate Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma From Cutting

You can propagate the cutting either through soil or water medium. However, the succession is primarily visible in the soil propagation.

Propagation via Soil

• Start by sterilizing your pruners or knives with isopropyl.
• Trim a 2-3 inches long vine having at least one or two nodes. Similarly, snip the stem right below the node.
• Place the cutting in a container covering the nodes with an appropriate potting soil mix.
• Hydrate the soil and shield the container with a plastic bag with holes on top to enable air circulation.
• Put your cutting in bright indirect sunlight, and by 2-3 weeks, you’ll notice the development of roots.

Propagation via Water

To populate Rhaphidophora tetrasperma through water, ensure a good schedule for changing the water.

• Cut off the 2-3 inches long stem with nodes with sterilized shears.
• Place the stem cuttings of Rhaphidophora tetrasperma in a container with water.
• Change the glass of water once weekly to avoid infection or breeding of pests and diseases.
• Within two weeks, you’ll notice the development of roots through the transparent glass.

When the roots are approximately half an inch long after 4-6 weeks, you can transfer them to a container.

Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma: Plant on sale

Contact the sites below if you fancy the luscious green leaves with pure cream blotches of variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma.

Fun Fact: Rare Variegated Monstera Minima having only nine leaves was sold for over $ 19,000.

Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma vs. Tetrasperma

Variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma and Rhaphidophora tetrasperma belong to the same family of Araceae and share several similarities regarding leaf shape and growth rate.

The only striking difference between the two is the leaf color.

Due to variegation, variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma adopt multiple colors such as white, yellow, light yellow, and light green splashed in the leaves.