Full Specimen Plate

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla

Pachyphylla Rhaphidophora

Quick Facts

growth HabitClimbing vine, compact and dense
mature SizeSmall to medium (1-1.5m with support)
lightBright indirect light
humidityModerate to high (60-80%)
temperature18-28°C
difficultyIntermediate
growth SpeedSlow to Moderate
View Care Guide
Wild£££ · RareLowSoutheast Asia

Morphology

leaf ShapeRounded, entire (non-fenestrated)
leaf Length8-15 cm
leaf Width6-12 cm
petiole ColorGreen
venationDeeply quilted, corrugated surface
textureThick, rigid
variegationNone
growth HabitClimbing with short internodes, dense habit

About

Rhaphidophora pachyphylla is a recently popularised species valued for its thick, rounded, deeply quilted leaves — a texture reminiscent of thick-leaf Monstera species like karstenianum, but in a more compact, closely-climbing Rhaphidophora habit. Documented trade history is still fairly thin compared to established Rhaphidophora species like tetrasperma or decursiva, so treat rarity and pricing expectations with some caution.

Market Analysis

Auction History & Retail Data

Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.

No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.

Before You Buy

Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing

  • Confirm leaves show the thick, quilted texture characteristic of this species
  • Check for a healthy node with visible aerial root growth
  • Given limited documented trade history, verify the seller's identification against reference photos

Propagation Guide

Growing More Plants

Methods
Stem cutting with node
Difficulty
Moderate
Time to Establish

2-4 months

True From Cuttings
Yes

Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings

Root single-node stem cuttings in moist sphagnum or water with warmth and humidity.

Care Guide

Growing Conditions

Substrate

Chunky, well-draining aroid mix: 40% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark, 10% charcoal.

Watering

Water when the top 3-5 cm of substrate is dry.

Humidity

60-80% preferred.

Fertilising

Balanced fertiliser at half strength every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Repotting

Every 12-18 months. A small moss pole or trellis encourages the neat climbing habit.

Common Problems

Problem

Leggy growth with wide gaps between leaves

Cause

Insufficient light

Fix

Move to brighter indirect light — this species naturally grows in a dense, compact habit under good light

Problem

Flat, less textured new leaves

Cause

Low light or young/juvenile growth

Fix

The signature quilted texture develops more strongly with bright light and maturity

Field Notes · Vol. 120 August 2024

A Newer Face in a Familiar Genus

Pachyphylla is one of the newer Rhaphidophora species to gain real traction in cultivation, and its thick, quilted leaf texture puts it in the same visual territory as thick-leaf Monstera species — a genuinely interesting comparison for anyone building out a texture-focused collection.

Written at AroidAtlas research station— Aroid Aaron
Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers
Market Trend?Calculated by comparing average auction sales from the past 30 days against the preceding 60 days.
Not enough history to calculate a trend

How prices are calculated: The AA 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.