Species: Rhaphidophora korthalsii 

Cultivar: Rhaphidophora korthalsii variegated

Plant Genus: Rhaphidophora

Plant Family: Araceae

Plant Origin: Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Caroline Is., East Himalaya, Jawa, Malaya, Maluku, Nansei-shoto, New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand, Vanuatu 

Soil Drainage: well-draining, we recommend a substrate mix composed of coco coir, perlite, cocoa bark, vermiculite, sphagnum moss, pumice

Soil pH: acidic

Fertilizers: Rhaphidophora korthalsii variegated requires a sustained level of fertilization, therefore we recommend using a bio-type fertilizer (we use the BioBizz brand for the plants we cultivate) from early March to late November, supplemented with Silica.

Air Humidity: it is perfectly acclimatized to the indoor environment, with air humidity between 40% and 60%.

Temperature: 18-26 degrees Celsius

Light: full indirect light

Height with pot included: 15cm

Pot diameter: 10.5cm

Rhaphidophora korthalsii variegata is probably one of the most spectacular plants we have the joy of growing. Both the botanical species and its variegated variant are climbing plants, following the “shingler” model—that is, they attach themselves to a vertical support using aerial roots, and the leaves take on the shape of that support. Under proper growing conditions, the internodal space is very small (which can make classic propagation quite a challenge 😊), and from each node, two leaves grow (with a velvety texture), arranged symmetrically (left – right). 

In its natural habitat, the botanical species can reach impressive sizes (about 4.5 meters in height); when mature, the leaves develop fenestrations, going through the same metamorphosis process that is so well known in most aroids. 

Attention! To check the humidity level of the substrate, the finger inserted into the pot to a depth of 2 cm is the best device for measuring soil moisture.

So, if you feel the substrate is wet, keep the watering can away from it for one or two days, and if you feel it is dry, water it.

Attention 2! When we talk about watering, we must consider the pot in which the plant is planted, as well as the amount of substrate and its degree of aeration. That is, we do not pour a liter of water into a pot with a diameter and height of 12 cm, because we drown the plant's roots. It is best to throw away the excess water from the collector pot half an hour after watering.

Good luck with caring for it! And don't forget to give us updates about your plant, using the hashtag #greenmirrors and tag @green.mirrors in your Instagram posts! We promise to share them in stories.

Tags: Rhaphidophora, Rhaphidophora korthalsii variegata, Araceae, rare plants, unusual plants, decorative foliage plants, climbing plants, purifying plants, indoor decorative plants