In today’s post we are going to talk about the care of the Monstera Minimima also known as Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma (yes, a simple name). Mine has been with me since spring 2020 and I couldn’t be happier with it.
As they say, I have caught him more than the point and I think it is time for me to tell you how I take care of him in case it helps you with yours.
Before getting into flour, in case you are more about video than text in case you like both options, I share this video where I tell you in detail how I take care of my Rhaphidophora
INFORMATION MONSTERA MINIMA OR RHAPHIDOPHORA
The similarity that the Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma has with the Monstera deliciosa is undeniable, I do not deny it and although we call it Monstera Minima I would like to make it clear that they are two completely different species.
It may seem like an unimportant detail to you, but it is good that you know that it is known as “Monstera Minima” because of its resemblance to Monstera Deliciosa and not because they are cousins or sisters. Rather we could say that they have a reasonable resemblance and nothing more, without family relationships involved.
In this case, the original name of the plant is Rhaphidophora and the nickname Monstera Minima, but for obvious reasons, almost everyone knows it with the latter as it is easier to pronounce and write.
What else is our Rhaphi different from Monsteras? Mainly that its leaves are much smaller and that it is a plant that will not produce fruit.
In addition, and without the intention of complicating it, let me tell you that fenestrations (this is how the holes that plants have in the leaves are called) are not exclusive to the Monsteras family, other species such as Philodendros also have them. Here are the tests:
I like the Monstera Minima because it grows quite fast (I love crowded and wild plants) and we can also leave it with the stems hanging or support it with tutors (this is how mine is). Personally, I am fascinated by how it looks with the stems hanging down but either it is allowed to grow in a hanging habit from the beginning or later trying to change the direction of its stems is difficult.
In my case, mine has stems so strong and tough that any attempt to direct them down (they are now in a stake) can lead to breakage which is why I am hopelessly growing it in a stake.
MONSTERA MINIMA CARE QUICK FILE
Let’s go there with the care of the Monstera Minima!
1 ) Lighting: You need plenty of lighting. I recommend being careful with direct sun, with mine we have had negative experiences with direct light (leaves turning yellow at the tips).
2) Irrigation: moderate. I started by giving it a lot because of what had been recommended to me in the nursery where I bought it. However, experience has taught me that it requires little water and only needs to be watered when the substrate dries. In my case I water it once a week and no more (unless it is summer).
3) Temperature: warm temperatures are ideal for her. Not too hot and not too cold. Of course, no frost as it will not resist them. The ideal would be to have it in temperatures between 15-25 degrees.
4) Flowerpot: generally I do not make a section for flowerpots but in this case I consider that it is important. It grows better in slightly tight pots and I do not advise changing it from a small pot to a very large one because they miss and throw leaves. The transplant stresses them so it is best to do it at most once a year
5) Compost: essential, it is an inevitable step. This plant grows a lot and very fast. To maintain this growth rate, we must choose a fertilizer for green plants that is not very strong. A quick release one like liquids will be perfect for her.
6) Substrate: it is not very demanding with the type of soil, although for this type of plant my choice is universal substrate (50%) perlite (30%) humus (10%) coconut fiber (10%). Later in the detailed care, I will tell you what each of these “ingredients” is for.
MONSTERA MINIMA OR RHAPHIDOPHORA CARE
Let’s talk in detail about the care of Monstera Minimima. If you allow me, I will start by highlighting the virtues that this plant has, which are many: it is easy to care for, if you go over the watering it will not give you any problem. In addition, it is very resistant to pests, in almost two years that I have been with mine it has not had any type of bug (no mealybug, no mites … nothing at all).about:blankAdvertisment
I have saved the best part for last: it grows that gives pleasure. Above all, I recommend it for this reason, it is perfect for people who are starting out in the world of plants because seeing how it develops motivates them to continue caring for it and even to be encouraged to have more plants at home.
And now yes, let’s see in more detail the basic and fundamental care that Rhaphidophora needs.
ILLUMINATION
It needs abundant indirect light to ensure proper growth. I hear a lot say that it is a perfect plant for houses with little light and if I tell you the truth, I have my reservations regarding this comment.
What can live in low light? Of course, but that doesn’t mean these are the conditions you need. If you give it little light, what will happen is that the plant will stop growing and will always remain the same but you will deprive yourself of enjoying its growth process, for me the most beautiful part of taking care of a plant.
Beware of direct sun! I like to experiment to see how my plants react and I placed my Rhaphidophora for several weeks in a place where it received direct sun and what I noticed was that the tips of its leaves turned yellow.
As soon as I returned it to its normal location, those spots stopped appearing, so I associate it with direct light, although it is true that the reason could be another. However, based on my experience, I would tell you to be careful with direct light.
TEMPERATURE
I have an infallible trick to know what temperature or environmental conditions our plants need and that is to think about their place of origin. In this case, the Rhaphidophora comes from Thailand and Malaysia so we can guess that it needs warm temperatures.
It is best not to subject it to temperatures below 10 degrees because the cold can stop its growth and frost can kill the plant.
I would also like to talk to you about the humidity. I have read in many places that this plant needs high humidity to feel comfortable. And I am convinced that humidity in most cases does good and benefits our plants.
However, I wanted to tell you that I live in Madrid and here we have quite a dry climate. It is true that I have humidifiers at home but the Monstera Minima is far from them so we could say that I have it in low humidity conditions and you know what? It is wonderful.
Far from having dry or damaged tips as happens to Marantas or Calateas, the plant is in perfect condition and its leaves do not seem to show a lack of humidity, so in no case do I consider this factor to be an essential requirement for its well-being.
Believe it or not, this is an extra “mini point” in favor of this plant because giving room humidity is really expensive and there are some plants that get tremendously ugly when they don’t have the humidity they need. Rest assured that this will not happen to you with Rhaphidophora.
IRRIGATION
One of the Monstera Minima cares that always scares us the most. With this plant you can breathe easy because it will not be a problem for you. Go ahead, irrigation depends on the climate of your city, the pot in which your plant is located and even the type of soil where you have it.
There are many factors that come into play but I can tell you that this plant in general needs moderate watering and that it is best not to water it until the substrate is completely dry.
As I told you at the beginning of the post, at the beginning I watered more to my Rhaphi because they advised me in the nursery. However, as the months went by when we began to understand each other , I saw that moderate irrigations suit her better, which in my case translates into a weekly irrigation approximately.
How do I water it? What I do is pour water with a watering can until it comes out through the drainage hole and at the moment when the saucer where I have the pot resting is full, I cut off the watering and let the water in the saucer absorb it by the plant.
It’s that simple, you don’t have more. I also recommend planting your Monstera Minima in a terracotta or clay pot because they evaporate the water earlier and prevent retained moisture from remaining (as is the case with plastic ones). If in your case, you have your plant in a plastic pot, you may have to water it a little less because the soil will last longer wet.
COMPOST AND SUBSTRATE
I acknowledge that I do not always fertilize all my plants. But I promise you that in the case of the Monstera Minima I have gotten into the habit of paying it continuously (yes, even in winter) and it feels very, very good.
It is a fast growing plant and if we want to keep it that way, my advice is to fertilize. In general, for these types of plants that have a lot of development in their aerial part, I usually choose fast-release substrates (liquids) that are softer than slow-release ones (generally solid) and in this way I apply them more often.
Regarding the substrate, I commented at the beginning of the post that my Rhaphidophora really enjoys this soil mixture: universal substrate (50%) perlite (30%) humus (10%) coconut fiber (10%). It is a suggestion but any other substrate mixture will also do well as long as it is draining.
I’ll explain something more about these types of land:
Universal substrate: it is the most common substrate suitable for almost all types of plants and very rich in organic matter
Perlite : volcanic rock (natural mineral) that mixed with earths such as the universal one, helps to better drain the water
Worm humus: organic fertilizer that also benefits and enriches the earth
Coconut fiber: provides aeration to the substrate which facilitates the development of the roots
Soon I will write an article talking in depth about the types of land!
I hope that this card on the care of the Monstera Minima will help you to take care of yours and in case you do not have one, they will at least encourage you to give it a try. You will see that this plant grows like weeds and once you catch it with the watering, it will not give you a problem.