Rhaphidophora hongkongensis 'Mint'

Natural range and cultivated background of Rhaphidophora hongkongensis 'Mint'

In the wild, Rhaphidophora hongkongensis ranges from Assam and Bangladesh east through southern China, Taiwan and Indochina, where it climbs trees and stone walls in humid valleys and evergreen forest.

In cultivation, the plant is sold as 'Mint'.

How to grow Rhaphidophora hongkongensis 'Mint'

• Support: Use a broad board for close young growth and leave room for later side branches to extend or hang.
• Light: Bright indirect light suits the plant. Introduce direct sun gradually because the palest areas can scorch first.
• Watering: Water when the pot feels lighter and the mix has partly dried. Water thoroughly and empty any water left in the outer pot.
• Potting mix and repotting: Use a loose, well-draining mix. Move up one pot size when roots are crowded, the pot starts needing water unusually often or the support becomes unstable.
• Warmth, humidity and airflow: Keep the plant warm. Moderate humidity helps long leaves unfold. Gentle airflow helps overlapping young growth dry after watering.
• Feeding, pruning and propagation: Feed according to the fertiliser label while the plant is growing. Shorten an overlong side branch just above a node. Take cuttings with at least one healthy node on a stem that still shows mint and green markings.
• Slower growth: When growth pauses, stop feeding and let the mix dry a little further before watering. Resume normal watering and feeding when fresh stem growth appears.

Problems and solutions for Rhaphidophora hongkongensis 'Mint'

• Young leaves stop lying flat against the board: The newest stem section may have moved off the climbing surface or reached a smooth area with too little texture for the roots to grip. Guide the stem back onto a textured surface and hold it loosely until fresh roots attach.
• Several new leaves and the nearby stem stay plain green: Check whether pale markings are still present on the stem. If an entire side branch stays solid green, shorten it to the last healthy patterned section. New growth can still vary.
• Mint or cream areas develop dry brown patches: Hot window glass, missed watering or a buildup of fertiliser salts can mark pale tissue first. Move the plant away from hot glass, water thoroughly after a missed watering and flush the pot if a salt crust is visible. Keep it away from hot, dry air from a heater.
• Sticky residue or cottony clusters collect on the stem: Check branch joints and leaf undersides for scale or mealybugs. Isolate the plant and choose a treatment whose label includes the identified pest and indoor ornamental plants. Apply it exactly as directed on the label and repeat at the stated interval. The mealybug guide helps with identification.

Rhaphidophora hongkongensis ‘Mint’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Who first published Rhaphidophora hongkongensis, and what does the name mean?

Rhaphidophora combines Greek rhaphis, meaning needle, with phorein, meaning to bear, referring to the needle-like raphide crystals in its tissues. The geographical name hongkongensis means “from Hong Kong”.

Justus Carl Hasskarl established the genus Rhaphidophora in 1842 in Flora, volume 25, issue 2, supplement 1, page 11.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott first described Rhaphidophora hongkongensis in 1857 in Bonplandia (Hannover), volume 5, page 44.