How to grow Syngonium

Syngonium podophyllum · arrowhead plant, arrowhead vine

Tropical aroid sold as a bushy young plant with arrow-shaped, often variegated leaves. As it ages it starts to climb and its leaves change shape, becoming lobed and then divided into 5–11 leaflets.

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Family	Araceae
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for sowing	from 18 °C
Where it grows	At home

When to plant

Sow straight into the bed after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	18…24 °C	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 14 days	18…24 °C	—

Growing notes

Light

Medium to bright indirect light; direct sun burns or bleaches the leaves. It tolerates low light, but variegated forms keep their colour only in brighter light and turn green in shade.

Soil

Light, moisture-holding mix, for example equal parts peat or coir, vermiculite and perlite.

Care

Let the compost dry out slightly between waterings. It likes 18–24 °C and humidity of 50 % or more, though it tolerates normal room air. Feed a balanced fertiliser at a reduced rate once a month in spring and summer; it is not a heavy feeder. To keep the bushy habit and arrow-shaped leaves, cut off stems as they start to climb, or give a climbing plant a moss pole. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic to cats and dogs, causing mouth pain, drooling and vomiting; the sap can irritate skin.

Pests and diseases of Syngonium

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.