The Mini Monstera looks like the Monstera deliciosa and is named Monstera but it actually does not belong to this variety. It is part of the genus Rhaphidophora. Also, there are over 100 different species that originate from Asia and Africa and these are all part of the family Araceae. So the Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma is its scientific name and it is one of the best plants for your garden. It has beautiful leaves which look as if someone has crafted them with an amazing design by cutting them with scissors.
You can also keep it indoors and it will thrive well. When it is in its native environment it is a climbing plant so you can offer some support to the plant when it grows in a pot. You can use a moss pole or trellis for it. Here you can find all the details of Mini Monstera and know how to grow and care for it.
How to grow the Mini Monstera?
The Mini Monstera like many plants requires light, water and fertilisers to grow. Know why this plant requires these aspects to grow even when you are growing the plants indoors.
1. Keep the plant in moderate light
Plants require sunlight to cook their food and that process is called photosynthesis. The Mini Monstera needs medium to bright light and also indirect light. If you don’t have a proper bright spot in your surroundings you can use fluorescent or LED lights. You will find that the climbing houseplants like the Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma but you should not keep it in direct sunlight. If you keep it, it can get affected by the direct sunlight and its leaves can burn.
2. Water the plant
Your houseplant will like to have soil with good moisture and they may not thrive well in dry soil. So you have to check the soil and water the Mini Monstera daily. It will surely keep your plant happy. During the summer months, you may have to check the soil frequently because the water may dry up soon.
But if you detect moisture in the soil don’t water it because it can become soggy and it is not suitable for the plant to grow. The frequency of the watering may change throughout the year so you have to plan it depending on whether the soil is wet or dry. At the end of the day, it is not a good plan to set a schedule as it can change.
Also read: Mulberry Tree: How to Grow and Care Guide
3. Humidity in the air
The Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. It likes to live in above-average humidity in the air. For instance, if there is a heater or air conditioner in your home which helps you maintain the humidity in the room it can keep your plant happy. But if you live in a humid environment it is enough for the plant to thrive.
4. Use the right proportion of fertilisers
Your houseplant is not a very hungry one so they don’t need a lot of fertilisers. But you can use fertilisers then once or twice a year during the spring and the summer season. If you want your Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma to grow quickly then this will help. For that select a product that is suitable for your Mini Monstera. Follow the instructions given on the label and use the required amount.
5. Prune your plant
If you have a space or support for the Mini Monstera to climb then you need not prune the plant. But you can trim the plant now and then to encourage its growth. Also, it makes the plant fuller and lush.
How to propagate the Mini Monstera?
You can use the method of stem cuttings to propagate the Mini Monstera. If you want to cut your plant to control its growing size then it is good to reuse the cuttings to grow several plants. Follow the steps below to propagate the Mini Monstera.
- You can use sharp pruning scissors to cut the plant. Then take a stem from a mature plant
- You can remove any leaves in the nodes of the stem and also submerge the nodes in the water in a glass or a small vase.
- Now place the stem cutting in the location that gets the bright to medium light. Change this water once a week as it can get dirty and insects can lay eggs in it damaging the plant.
- When the cutting has roots you have to leave it at least 1-2 inches long. Then it can be transferred to the moistened soil mixture.
- You have to keep the soil moist as the new roots need to become used to the soil.
What are the common pests and problems in Mini Monstera?
If you grow the Mini Monstera in your home it can get affected by some pests. You have to keep on the watch for fungus, spider mites, gnats, and scale. Plus you can use insecticides at the first sign of invasion of such pests.
Sometimes because of some issues in the environment, the plant leaves can change yellow. One of the most common problems is overwatering and lack of light. So you can keep your plant in a brighter location and water it wisely.
If you find that the leaves of the Mini Monstera are drooping and starting to die there are some ways to prevent it. It means that there is no moisture in the leaves. So check if the soil is dry and water the plant regularly. If the problem is not solved, you can keep the plant in a vase filled with water and let it grow. When the roots grow again you can keep the plant back in the pot.
Further, when the Monstera has crispy leaves this is an indicator of a lack of humidity. So keep the soil moist and check if your room is humid or not. Keep a pebble tray or a humidifier around the plant which helps.
Conclusion
These are the ways that will help you to grow the Mini Monstera. It is really easy to look after the plant when you keep the plant in a humid environment and water it according to its requirement.
