Syngonium podophyllum
aka
Arrowhead Vine
Taxonomy
Syngonium podophyllum, also known as Arrowhead vine or Nephthytis, is a tropical evergreen vine native to Central and South America. It is known for its arrow-shaped leaves that can be solid green, variegated, or have a marble pattern on them. The leaves can grow up to 6 inches long and 3 inches wide.
The plant produces small, white, and very fragrant flowers that develop into a fruit that is not edible. The plant is easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of conditions, it prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. It can be grown in a container or trained to climb a trellis or pole.
Syngonium podophyllum is a popular houseplant because of its ability to purify the air and its ability to adapt to different environments. Its leaves can change shape as the plant matures. Juvenile leaves are arrow-shaped, but as the plant grows, the leaves become more lobed or divided. It's a relatively low maintenance plant, it can tolerate neglect, low light and infrequent watering, making it a good choice for beginners and busy individuals.
Common names
Arrowhead Vine, Nephthytis, Goosefoot, White Butterfly
How to care for Arrowhead Vine
With its straightforward care requirements, Arrowhead Vine is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.
Arrowhead Vine should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Arrowhead Vine loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
To ensure optimal growth, the Arrowhead Vine prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
During the wintertime, it is common for Arrowhead Vine plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Arrowhead Vine is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
The Arrowhead Vine does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.
Once the Arrowhead Vine has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Arrowhead Vine’s native range is Central America.
More info:
Wikipedia
