Raphidophora

( raff - ih - DOH - for - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes species of evergreen climbing plants native to a region that spans from tropical Africa through Malesia and Australasia and the Western Pacific. These plants can have large or small entire leaves or foliage with fenestrations, and begin life as ground-rooting seedlings, eventually becoming epiphytic climbing plants that use their aerial roots to climb toward the canopy. Use these plants to climb walls or other structures as vertical accents, or grow them prostrate as groundcover. Take care when planting these vines in the landscape or keeping them indoors, as they are toxic to humans and pets if plant parts are ingested.

Raphidophora Species and Varietals

The genus Raphidophora includes 100 species, and is a member of the plant family Araceae (subfamily Monsteroideae). The plants in this genus are closely related to those in Epipremnum (Pothos), Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant), and Scindapsus (Silver Vine). The best growing zones for Raphidophora are USDA hardiness zones 9-11. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Raphidophora australasica (Needle Berry)
This robust climbing plant is native to northeastern Queensland, Australia, and has dark green leaves. This species was first discovered and described by Australian botanist Frederick Manson Bailey. Flower spikes are surrounded by a white spathe, and the inflorescences are about 6 inches long. Plants in this species can produce vining stems that reach up to 100 feet long.

Raphidophora decursiva (Dragon Tail Plant, Creeping Philodendron, Thiallawn, Toolo Kaanachirne, Tree Climbing Dragon, 爬树龙)
This species is native to the Indian subcontinent, Indochina, and China, and is a tropical flowering climber. These plants are commonly cultivated as indoor houseplants, having some of the same looks and characteristics as Monstera. Leaves are large, waxy and green. They are solid and narrower when young, and deeply split and lobed when mature. Individual plants can reach up to 50-60 feet in their native landscape, but top out around 5-10 feet tall and 2- 4 feet wide when grown indoors.

Rhapidophora foraminifera (Fenestrated Raphidophora, Hole-Leaf Plant, Forest Monstera, Tropical Climbing Vine)
This interesting species is native to Borneo, Sumatra, and Peninsular Malaysia. These plants reach upwards of 45 feet tall and have deep green leaves with small fenestrations along the midrib. Young leaves are green, glossy and whole. When grown indoors, these plants do well in medium to bright indirect light conditions. Best in USDA hardiness zones 9b-12.

Rhapidophora guamensis
This Guam native plant produces elliptical, waxy green leaves that sprout from a climbing stem. These are tropical plants, and are hardy to about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. They are cultivated as indoor plants in cooler regions of the globe, but can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 11 and 12. This plant is an iconic native of Guam, and was first collected and described in 1962.

Rhapidophora hayi (Shingle Plant, Shingle Vine)
This species, native to Queensland, Australia and New Guinea, forms shingle-leaves along a climbing vine stem. These plants enjoy a wet, tropical habitat and get their common names from the way their leaves lay against the surface of the structure or plant they are climbing. Aerial roots attach to the surface, holding the vine in place as it climbs. These vines can reach up to 5 to 8 feet tall when grown on a flat vertical surface. Shingle Plant does well in UDSA hardiness zones 10 through 12.

Rhapidophora korthalsii (Shingle Plant)
This rare species reaches about 65 feet tall and produces leafy vining stems with leaves interlocked like shingles, hence its common name. Grown mainly as a houseplant, these climbers are slow-growing and are great at purifying indoor air. Shingle Plant can do well in UDSA hardiness zones 10 through 12 outdoors.

Rhaphidophora montana
This species produces smaller plants than most others in the genus, topping out at about 4-5 feet tall. Stems are brownish green on the exterior and purple on the interior. Leaves are glossy and green, sometimes with small fenestrations along the midrib. This species is native to a range that spans from southern Thailand to Malesia.

Raphidophora pertusa (Raphidophora tetrasperma)(Perforated Philodendron, Mini Monstera, Dragon Tail Plant, Ganeshkanda, Dodda Thippali)
This species is found in southeast Asia, and produces large, deep green leaves with fenestrations. Young leaves are entire. Individual plants can reach up to 15 feet tall indoors and much larger outdoors. This species can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12.

Raphidophora petrieana
This semi-epiphytic climber is a robust plant, and can reach up to 66 feet tall in its natural habitat. These plants are native to northeastern Queensland, Australia and produce ovate green glossy leaves along green stems. This species was first discovered and described by botanist Alistair Hay in 1993. Best in USDA hardiness zones 11 and 12.

Caring for Raphidophora

Take care when planting these vines in the landscape or keeping them indoors, as they are toxic to humans and pets if plant parts are ingested. Choose a space in the landscape that receives partial sun and is somewhat sheltered; these tropicals do not like cool, drafty areas or being exposed to direct sun, especially during the warmest hours of the day. Raphidophora plants need loose, well-draining soil to mimic their native environments. A good mix for these epiphytes includes a standard orchid bark with added perlite, coco coir, vermiculite or peat moss to improve drainage and aeration and retain moisture. The best soil pH for these tropical plants is between 6.0 and 6.5 (acidic to neutral). Water new plantings regularly as they establish themselves. At maturity, these tropicals appreciate consistently moist soil. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. To prune, remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. In springtime, shape the plant and remove excess growth.

Growing Raphidophora Indoors
In temperate zones, these plants are typically grown as houseplants, and have become very popular in indoor plant collections. Choose a pot that has adequate drainage holes and a bottom tray (to catch water and increase humidity). Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with plenty of orchid bark, perlite, coco coir or vermiculite. Place the plant in a spot in the home that receives bright, indirect light, high humidity, and a warm, stable temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. A space inside of an east-facing or filtered light south-facing window is ideal. They prefer a humidity of between 50% and 70%. Water plants thoroughly, but allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. To prune, remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. In springtime, shape the plant and remove excess growth. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Raphidophora plants are most easily propagated by taking and rooting cuttings from an existing plant. To propagate your Shingle Plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Raphidophora by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of Shingle Plant cuttings is a chunky blend, such as one for orchids or aroids.
Choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Take one or more cuttings, making a clean snip to a healthy stem just below a leaf node. Make a hole in your planting medium, dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in the pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.