How Do You Care For A Philodendron Ginny?

Is Philodendron Ginny Rare?

Philodendron ‘Ginny’ (Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma) is a rare tropical aroid with small decorative leaves with 6″ divided lobes. In nature, the plant will climb trees by rapping its aerial roots around the trunk of the top branches.

The botanical name for the houseplant known as the Mini Monstera, Monstera Ginny, or Philodendron Ginny is Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma. While it looks similar to the larger Monstera deliciosa or Split Leaf Philodendron, this plant belongs to the Rhaphidophora genus.

However, all three (Rhaphidophora, Monstera, and Philodendron) are members of the same Araceae family.

What Are The Other Names For Ginny Philodendron?

Plant collectors refer to Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma (Ginny philodendron) as Mini Monstera because it resembles a tiny version of M. Deliciosa and, honestly, the latter is far easier to remember.

The Mini Monstera is extremely rare in nature and has received little attention in scholarly literature.

There was a lot of uncertainty about its origin and classification when it was initially made available to the general public. As a result, humans began to label this plant in a variety of ways.

Amydrium tetrasperma, Amydrium ‘Ginnie,’ Philodendron “Ginnie”, Philodendron imbe “Ginny”, Epipremnum “Ginny”, Philodendron Minima, Mini Split-leaf Philodendron, and European Dwarf Deliciosa are all common names for R. Tetrasperma.

How Do You Care For A Philodendron Ginny?

Ginny philodendron requires very little maintenance. This beautiful plant is ideal for infusing life into your home. It does, however, require a few things in order to thrive.

Your Ginny philodendron will thrive in bright, indirect light. Its leaves are designed in such a way that they take use of the available light. While it cannot handle direct sunlight, strong but indirect lighting simulates what it would get in the environment.

If you don’t have a decent outside position that meets your lighting needs, use a 20%-40% shade cloth to block some of the harsher rays and soften the sunlight.

Those cultivating it inside should also provide adequate lighting. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can scorch the delicate leaves.

Eastern-facing windows often give enough light for this plant, and a grow light can supplement the sunlight. Low light conditions will decrease the plant’s growth and diminish the number of leafy leaves.

The ideal range is 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand slightly milder temperatures but is not frost-hardy. It may be cultivated in zones 9b-12, but does best in zone 11.

If the temperature falls below 55 degrees in zones 9b-10, it should be moved indoors. Make certain that it receives enough of bright indirect light wherever it is positioned!

These plants require consistent and even moisture to develop. They prefer constant moisture but cannot withstand damp, muddy soil conditions. Before watering, touch the soil with a fingertip to determine if it still feels moist.

If it does, leave the pot alone for the time being and check again the following day. To maintain equal moisture levels, water lightly as needed.

You won’t need to water as frequently in the cooler months of the year as you would in the spring or summer. These plants will require more water when they are actively growing. During this time, check the soil in your pot on a daily basis!

Tropical plants, such as Ginny philodendron, prefer higher humidity than one might assume. Aim for 50-60% humidity around the plant.

Use a humidifier or set your pot on top of a pebble tray with water halfway up the pebbles. Evaporation will offer more humidity where it is required by your plant.

This plant prefers well-draining, organic-rich loamy soil. Add some peat moss or orchid bark to help with drainage while still retaining some moisture. Perlite can help with drainage as well. Avoid soggy or too sandy soils. Your plants should be alright with a pH level of 6.0-6.5.

It is preferable to use a well-balanced, high-quality fertilizer that does not contain urea or other harsh chemicals. Rhaphidophora plants have extremely sensitive roots that can be burned by fertilizer. To limit the possibility of burning, choose a slow-release balanced organic fertilizer.

There are several advices for this plant, but all agree on one point: it benefits from regular fertilization during its active growing phase.

How Do You Prune Ginny Philodendron?

To keep this houseplant at its best, it will require regular pruning. It is similar to a Philodendron in this regard. Its growth can be a little wild and unruly, so if you want a certain look, you’ll have to clip it back every now and then. You may also control growth by pruning it back to the appropriate size.

Ginny philodendron is prone to becoming leggy, especially when not exposed to enough light. Instead of developing new leaves, it will stretch out its vine to come closer to the light. If you see this, transfer the plant to a brighter location. Then, trim the lanky growth.

In summary, when your plant outgrows its supporting framework, you can either wind it back down (and then up again later) for a fuller appearance, or you can cut off the top and propagate it into a new plant.

Allow your plant to vine its way up a wall, then cut it back after you’re satisfied with the height it achieves. Cutting above the nodes encourages the stem to branch out in many ways.

Why Does My Philodendron Ginny Lack Fenestrations?

No fenestrations: This indicates that the plant is either very young or is not getting enough sunlight. If you have an adult with leaves that are reverting to the smaller shape without the fenestrated leaves, move it closer to the window or provide some supplementary lighting.

Can Philodendron Ginny Grow Outside?

It is recommended that you keep these plants in a light shadow, allowing them to obtain a gentle touch of morning sun, for outdoor growth. Ginny philodendron, on the other hand, is a fast-growing plant, therefore too little light will halt the process and result in little leaves.

Ginny philodendron plants require temperatures ranging from 55°F to 85°F (12-29°C) to thrive. They can tolerate somewhat cooler temperatures as well, but if the temperature drops below 55°F (12°C), you should bring them indoors.

You can keep them outside throughout the summer, but bring them inside during the winter.

Why Are My Philodendron Ginny Leaves Turning Yellow?

Your Rhaphidophora leaves could be turning yellow for a variety of causes. Let’s look at why.

Moisture: The most common reason of yellowing leaves in Rhaphidophora plants is an insufficient amount of moisture in the soil, namely overwatering.

Water your Rhaphidophora only when the top 75% of the soil in the pot is dry. Allow your plant to dry out a little more between waterings in the winter, but be sure to restore humidity with regular misting, a humidifier, or a pebble tray.

When watering your Rhaphidophora, make sure there is adequate liquid flowing from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot into the saucer.

It is critical to remove any extra water from the saucer and not allow your plant to sit in standing water. Your Rhaphidophora will not tolerate “wet feet,” which causes the roots to rot and the plant to die.

Level of Humidity: Low humidity and dry soil produce leaf drooping and browning on the edges, followed by overall yellowing. Use a humidifier, a pebble tray, or frequently mist your plant.

Improper Lighting: Rhaphidophora grows best in strong indirect sunlight. When exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time, the foliage might burn. Rhaphidophora can adapt to low light conditions, but their growth will be slowed. Yellow leaves may form if placed in very low light.

Pests: Insect infestations are more likely in weaker or stressed Rhaphidophora. Sap-sucking insects such as spider mites can dehydrate your plant. Yellowing leaflets and fronds are the first signs of this condition. Scale, mealybugs, and spider mites are common indoor pests.

These little bugs grow and travel all along frond parts into nooks and crannies if not destroyed early on. The insects’ piercing jaws exhaust your plant and promote yellowing, especially if your plant is already ill due to poor lighting, nutrient insufficiency, or insufficient soil moisture.

Some yellowing is unavoidable: Is your Rhaphidophora sprouting new leaves? If your plant has fresh growth and the yellowing leaves are older, especially at the bottom of the plant, this yellowing is natural. Your plant sheds its old leaves to make room for new growth.

Does Ginny Philodendron Grow Slowly?

Ginny philodendron is a fast-growing vine that can quickly take over an indoor space. It grows quickly in the spring and summer, and it may even continue to sprout new leaves in the fall and winter.

This plant grows to a height of 16 feet in the rainforests of Thailand and Malaysia. Each leaf will be 4 to 13 inches long. Indoors, the leaves tend to grow smaller, and they rarely grow larger than the size of a human hand.

Is Ginny Philodendron Toxic?

Cats, dogs, and other household pets are poisoned by Ginny philodendron plants. Ginny philodendron belongs to the Araceae plant family, which includes Monsteras and Philodendrons.

Plants of the Araceae family are poisonous to animals, according to the ASCPA, because they contain insoluble calcium oxalates.

Oral discomfort, excessive drooling, vomiting, or mouth irritation are symptoms of Ginny philodendron poisoning in dogs and cats.

Is Monstera Ginny A Philodendron?

At first glance, Ginny philodendron looks like a Monstera deliciosa, and it’s sometimes misidentified as a Philodendron species.

This plant, however, is not a Monstera or a Philodendron, despite the fact that they are all members of the same Araceae family (plants in this family are often referred to as “aroids”).

Ginny philodendron is in a different genus than those two plants and is only found in one section of the planet!

Ginny philodendron is found in Southern Thailand and Malaysia, whereas Monstera and Philodendron species are native to Central and South America. Surprisingly, the Rhaphidophora genus is not closely linked to the other two genera for which it is sometimes misidentified.