Houseplant
Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium)
Syngonium podophyllum · Araceae
Also called: Arrowhead Plant, Arrowhead Vine, Goosefoot Plant, Nephthytis, American Evergreen
Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium) (Syngonium podophyllum) is a moderate-water houseplant well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It's a fast-growing houseplant.
Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium) at a glance
- Water use
- Moderate (established)
- Sun
- Bright indirect light is ideal; tolerates medium to lower light (greener types more so than variegated/pink forms). Keep out of direct desert sun, which fades and burns leaves.
- Mature size
- Compact mound 1-2 ft. when pinched; becomes a climbing/trailing vine to several feet if left unpruned.
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Bloom
- Insignificant aroid spathe; grown for foliage and rarely flowers indoors., Rarely blooms indoors
- Cold hardiness
- Frost-tender tropical; keep above 60°F, ideally 65-75°F. Grown indoors only in Tucson.
- Soil
- Well-draining, peat- or coir-based potting mix with perlite.
- Native range
- Mexico, Central America, and tropical South America
- Best used as
- Indoor foliage accent, Hanging or trailing container, Easy-care beginner houseplant
- Wildlife
- None (indoor plant).
- Toxicity
- Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans; contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals causing oral/GI irritation, drooling, and swelling if chewed. Keep away from pets and children.
How to grow Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium) in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Water when the top inch of soil dries, keeping it lightly moist but never waterlogged; it is fairly forgiving but droops when too dry. Appreciates humidity in Tucson's arid indoor air.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Feed monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength during spring and summer; reduce or stop in winter.
Pruning & care
Pinch growing tips to keep it bushy and prevent vining; trim back leggy stems. Cuttings root readily in water. Wear gloves, sap is irritating.
Notes
Grown strictly as a houseplant in Tucson; low-desert sun, heat, and dryness make it unsuitable outdoors. One of the most forgiving, low-maintenance houseplants. Juvenile leaves are arrowhead-shaped; mature climbing leaves become lobed. Boost humidity to keep foliage looking its best in Tucson's dry indoor environment.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder