Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium): Care, Leaf Shapes and Cuttings

The arrowhead plant is one of the easiest houseplants: it grows fast, forgives small mistakes and comes in green, creamy white, pink or variegated forms. Its arrow-shaped leaves change as the plant matures, and it can be grown as a compact bush or as a climber on a support.

Green plants for your home: potted plants.

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What kind of plant it is

Syngonium belongs to the arum family, like monstera and philodendron, and comes from the rainforests of Central and South America. In the wild it is a climber that scrambles up tree trunks using aerial roots. The most common species is Syngonium podophyllum, with many cultivars in different colours.

Why the leaves change shape

Young leaves are arrow-shaped, and as the plant matures they become three-, five- or more-lobed. To keep the arrows, pinch out the tips regularly: the plant stays compact and keeps producing young leaves.

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Care

• Light. Bright but indirect. Green forms tolerate part shade; variegated and pink ones need more light or their colour fades.
• Watering. When the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry; less in winter. Overwatering is more dangerous than a short dry spell.
• Humidity. Likes moist air; a pebble tray helps while the heating is on.
• Temperature. 18–25 °C, away from draughts.
• Feeding. Every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer with a foliage-plant fertiliser.

Bush or climber

For a full, bushy plant, pinch out the tips and plant several cuttings in one pot. For a climber, add a coir or moss pole: the aerial roots will cling to it and the leaves will grow larger. In a hanging pot the stems trail attractively.

Propagating from cuttings

• Cut a 10–15 cm piece with at least one node (the bump where a leaf and aerial root grow).
• Stand it in water or insert it into a moist, light mix.
• Roots appear in 1–3 weeks; then pot it up.

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Safety

Like other arums, syngonium contains calcium oxalate crystals. The sap can irritate skin and, if chewed, causes burning and swelling in the mouth, so keep it away from children, cats and dogs. More in “Houseplants toxic to pets and children”.

Common problems

• Yellow leaves: overwatering or too little light.
• Brown edges: dry air.
• Leggy stems: not enough light; cut them back and root the tips.

More striking plants with beautiful leaves: “Foliage houseplants”.

FAQ

Can syngonium grow in water?

Yes, cuttings can live in water for a long time if you change it and occasionally add a weak fertiliser.

Why has my pink syngonium turned green?

Most likely it lacks light. Move it closer to a window, out of direct sun.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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