Rhaphidophora Cryptantha
Plant Care,  Rhaphidophora

Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Care

Rhaphidophora cryptantha care is relatively easy, we run down all you need to know. The main takeaway is to give them a moss pole to grow up as they are a shingling plant, and keep them humid.

Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Care Summary

Light needs:Bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:Check weekly in autumn and winter, twice weekly in spring and summer. Water if the top 50% of soil is dry.
Fertilizer:A well diluted balanced feed once a month in the spring and summer.
Soil:A mix of orchid bark, potting compost and perlite.
Humidity:50-60%.
Temperature:20°C-30°C (50°F-85°F).
Where to buy:Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
Common issues:Pests, over watering.

Introduction

The rhaphidophora cryptantha is a shingling plant, which means it climbs up walls or trees or wood, it has small beautifully veined leaves that climb alternately upwards if given a wood or moss pole support. They really need a mosspole to climb up or they will grow very small laves and leggy long stems.

See also: Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma Care, Rhaphidophora Hayi Care.

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Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Light Needs

Bright indirect sunlight is best for growth. A bit further back from the window will be ok.

How Often to Water

Check the plant once a week in autumn and winter and twice a week in spring and summer. Water them if the top 50% of soil is dry.

Fertilizer

A well diluted balanced feed once a month in the spring and summer will help growth. Do not feed in winter.

Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Soil

A mix of orchid bark, potting compost and perlite will make a nice well draining and chunky medium for your rhaphidophora cryptantha.

Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Care
Image source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CV8vXemBOLl/

When To Repot

The best time of year to repot them is is spring, but you can do it year round. Check the roots a few times throughout the year and repot carefully, making sure the stem does not snap as more stain is put on it during repotting.

Tip: they need to have a moss pole or piece of wood to climb up, or they won’t grow big leaves. You can use a plank of wood, cedar is ideal as it is fairly resilient to rot. You can train the plant to the wood with twine, and eventually it should hold on it’s ow without the need to tie it on. Or you can use a moss pole. They leaves look amazing when the is plant is given the chance to climb.

Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Humidity

The 50-60% humidity range will get the best out of them. A wet pebble tray, or keeping them with other plants can help. Mist them in the drier parts of the year if you cannot provide humidity any other way.

Temperature

Aim for 20°C-30°C (50°F-85°F) during the day. Try to keep them above 12°C (54°F) as a minimum temperature at night or in the winter.

How To Propagate Rhaphidophora Cryptantha

You can propagate a rhaphidophora cryptantha by cutting one of the leaves off and the node underneath it, then putting it on a cup of wet moss so that the node is pushed into the moss. Keep it humid with a lid over the container, but open it to the air every few days to avoid rot. Once they root they can be potted up into soil with a pole or wood to climb on.

You can propagate a lot in one go by taking a whole stem with lots of leaves and cut between each leaf so you have a lot of ‘one leaf, one node’ cuttings, then propagate them in moss as above.

Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Vs Monstera Dubia

The rhaphidophora cryptantha and the monstera dubia are both climbing ‘shingling’ plants. Both are patterned, but the dubia has more silver on it’s leaves, and the cryptantha is just green and light green with no silver color.

Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Vs Hayi

The cryptantha can be told apart as it has light green veining, the hayi has all green leaves.

rhaphidophora cryptantha USDA Zone

Zones 9b-11.

Is It Toxic to Cats?

They are toxic to cats if eaten causing oral irritation and vomiting, so seek vets advice immediately if your pet eats any.

Where To Buy

Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.

For more on rhaphidophoras see our rhaphidophora category with all our care guides.

Rhaphidophora Cryptantha Care FAQs and Common Problems

Check both sides of the leaves at watering time and make sure there are no pests, they can be relatively common and you don’t want an infestation to take hold.

Additional Resources

Links:

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