Skip to content

Full Specimen Plate

Rhaphidophora korthalsii

Celastrus Shingling Aroid

LightMedium
LightMedium Indirect Light
HumidityHigh
HumidityHigh humidity (70-85%)
TemperatureWarm
TemperatureWarm
SizeLarge
SizeLarge climber
Growth RateMedium
Growth RateModerate
DifficultyModerate
DifficultyRewards a consistent watering and light routine, but tolerates the occasional lapse. Suited to growers with some houseplant experience.
Recommended Gear

Amazon links — we may earn commission on qualifying purchases.

WildThailand to Malesia and western Pacific

7cm Target Price

£37.00

EstimatedFewer than 3 recorded sales. The figure comes from retail stock or the genus price tier, so treat it as a rough guide.

Target Price Guide

Select Plant Size

7cm Target Price

Base

£37.00

EstimatedFewer than 3 recorded sales. The figure comes from retail stock or the genus price tier, so treat it as a rough guide.

Based on recent online sales, adjusted to a standard 7cm pot size

About this target price: The figure above is the current market rate for an established 7cm whole pot specimen. Other sizes show their own recorded sale price where enough recent sales exist, or an estimate calculated proportionally from this one otherwise.
0Sold Matches

Based on current UK retail stock — no UK sold listings in the last 90 days.

See full auction data ↓
Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers

How prices are calculated: The target price uses online sold listings converted to GBP at current exchange rates, excluding extreme outliers to ensure a fair-value guide. Falls back to UK retail average when auction data is unavailable.

Market Hub

Rhaphidophora korthalsii Sold Prices & Live Market

What the Target Price above is based on: eBay sold prices by plant size, live listings, and retailer stock.

No eBay sales recorded yet. Sold listings are collected as they appear on eBay.

Before You Buy

Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing

  • Ensure there is at least one healthy node present; a cutting without a node cannot produce new growth
  • For variegated forms, check that the variegation pattern appears on the newest growth and shows no signs of reversion to green
  • Inspect the underside of leaves for spider mites (fine webbing or stippling) which are common on pothos-family plants
  • Confirm the cutting has visible roots or a healthy node before purchasing, since unrooted cuttings require propagation experience to succeed

Rhaphidophora korthalsii Morphology

leaf ShapeOverlapping, ovateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base. to elliptic (juvenile) to pinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein. (mature)
leaf Length10-25cm (juvenile) to 40-70cm (mature)
leaf Width8-15cm (juvenile)
petiole ColorGreen, short
venationPinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein.
textureMatte to semi-glossy, leathery
variegationNone
growth HabitRoot-climbing, shingling

About Rhaphidophora korthalsii

Rhaphidophora korthalsii is a famous shingling climbing aroid native to humid tropical forests from Thailand to Malesia and the western Pacific. In its juvenile stage, it is a shingling climber with overlapping, closely appressed, matte to slightly glossy leaves pressed flat against a vertical tree trunk or support. As it matures, the leaves transition to a larger, dissected, pinnate form. Stems are robust and attach tightly to their host trees using adhesive roots.

Native Range

Malesia (Southeast Asia)

Propagation Guide

How to Propagate Rhaphidophora korthalsii

Methods
Stem cuttingNode cutting
Propagation Difficulty
Moderate?Rewards a consistent watering and light routine, but tolerates the occasional lapse. Suited to growers with some houseplant experience.
Time to Establish

4-7 months

Care Guide

Rhaphidophora korthalsii Care Guide & Growing Conditions

Substrate

Well-draining mix: 40% perlite, 40% potting compost, 20% orchid bark.

Watering

Water when the top 3–4 cm is dry. These are generally forgiving and will tolerate slight drought better than overwatering.

Humidity

50–70% preferred. Most varieties in this group are more adaptable to typical indoor conditions than true aroids.

Fertilising

Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 2 weeks in spring and summer. Monthly in winter.

Repotting

Every 12–18 months when root-bound. These vining plants grow quickly and may need annual repotting in peak years.

Common Problems

Problem

Yellowing leaves

Cause

Overwatering or too little light

Fix

Allow to dry more between waterings; move to a brighter position

Problem

Loss of variegation (for variegated forms)

Cause

Insufficient light causing reversion to green

Fix

Move to a brighter position; variegated leaves need more light to maintain their pattern

Problem

Root rot

Cause

Overwatering or compacted substrate

Fix

Repot into fresh well-draining substrate; reduce watering frequency

Field Reference

In the Wild

Field Notes
1 August 2022

Korthals' Climber

Named for Pieter Willem Korthals, the Dutch botanist who contributed to the Flora Javae and other 19th-century documentation of Malesian plants. A widespread Rhaphidophora from Thailand through Malesia and the western Pacific at accessible price tier. Produces shingling juvenile growth and adult leaves with moderate fenestration. One of the more commonly encountered Rhaphidophora in the UK specialist trade, which makes it a reasonable starting point for collectors building knowledge of the genus.

Written at AroidAtlas research station— Aroid Atlas