How to care for Syngonium (Arrowhead Plant): Expert Tips

Syngoniums are easy-to-care houseplants with stunning foliage. Their leaves have different colours and beautiful patterns, which range from shades of white and pink to deep greens. They grow into a bushy shape and eventually develop vines, as they are climbers by heart!

The leaves of Syngoniums resemble the tips of an arrow, which is why they are also called Arrowhead Plants. They belong to the Araceae family and are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. That's why they love warm and humid spots!

Fun fact! Syngonium leaves can change shape as the plant matures. Younger leaves often have the distinctive arrowhead shape the plant is known for, but as the plant grows and matures, the leaves can become more divided and develop into three to five-finger-like sections. This means that the leaves at the top of the stem will look different from those at the bottom. How cool is that!

Syngoniums are rather easy to care for as houseplants, making them a good choice for the beginner or experienced plant parents. Moreover, they're known for their air-purifying properties, so they're an excellent choice for anyone seeking to improve the air quality in their home or office. We are sharing some tips and tricks to help you take care of your Syngonium and keep it looking great!

Syngonium (Arrowhead Plant) Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Syngonium prefers bright, indirect light. Place it near a window where it can receive bright, filtered light. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can hurt its leaves.
2. When your Syngonium patterned, or variegated leaves turn green, they need more light. Find a brighter spot or use grow lights.
3. You should water it once half the soil has dried out. You can check the soil's moisture by sticking your finger in it or using a water meter.
4. Syngonium does not like to be overwatered. Make sure the soil is dry before watering, and don't leave it sitting in water.
5. Fertilise it once a month during the growing season from March to September. It will grow healthier, and its foliage will be more vibrant as a result.
6. Make sure the air humidity doesn't drop too low. As a tropical houseplant, Syngonium thrives in a humid environment.
7. Support your Syngonium with a stake or trellis so it can climb, or allow it to trail freely. As it grows, it will naturally send out vines in all directions, creating a beautiful and lush climbing plant.
8. You can prune your Syngonium to maintain its shape and promote bushier growth. It's natural for them to climb and grow quite wide.
9. If your Syngonium is dropping leaves, it may be due to insufficient light or overwatering. Make sure the lighting and watering routine is proper.
10. Maintain regular monitoring. Make sure you take action if you see anything suspicious - maybe bugs, diseases, or yellow leaves.

Syngonium (Arrowhead Plant) Care Tips

Light and placement for Syngoniums

Syngonium plants enjoy indirect bright light like most tropical houseplants. A spot near an east- or west-facing window is ideal. Just keep it out of the full sun, as intense sunrays can damage its leaves. However, a little sun in the morning or evening rather encourages it. You can also place the plant near north-facing windows, but the colours may be less vibrant then.

Expert tip! Whenever your Arrowhead Plant leans to one side, it indicates that it is not receiving enough light and is trying to grow towards more light. Just rotate it from time to time or place it in a brighter spot so that it starts to grow upright.

Syngoniums tolerate semi-shade quite well, but too shady places are too much for them. In shadier spots, leaves can be smaller, and growth can be slower and leggier. Also, Syngoniums with coloured and patterned leaves are more light-sensitive than green-leaved varieties. Their variegation and beautiful patterns might fade or disappear entirely if placed in too low light.

Watering

Water your Arrowhead Plant with care, and always check soil moisture before watering. A general rule of thumb is to water your Syngonium when the top half of the soil feels dry to the touch. It typically needs to be watered once a week, but that can vary depending on the conditions in your home. Winter is a time when they require less watering since they go dormant. Remember, room-temperature water is the key to happy roots. Avoid shocking them with water that's too cold.

Syngonium's leaves will droop dramatically if their soil dries out too much. There's no need to worry! It will recover quickly if you water it. If lower leaves start turning brown and crispy, it's a sign you've left the plant too dry for too long time. If this happens, it is best to soak the soil to let it rehydrate.

Expert tip! Try to avoid the "little and often" approach. Instead, it's best to water the plant thoroughly and wait until the soil has dried out before watering again. This simple approach can help prevent overwatering and ensure your Syngonium stays healthy.

Syngoniums are really sensitive to overwatering. Keep in mind that it is better to have slightly dry soil than too moist soil. Yellowing leaves, wilting, and mushy or foul-smelling soil are signs of overwatering.

Fertilising

Syngonium plants benefit from regular fertilisation to promote healthy growth and maintain their beautiful foliage. Use PLNTS Nutrition liquid plant food to fertilise it monthly during the growing season (March to September).

Syngonium will probably need less fertilisation in a shadier area since it will grow slower and won't need as many nutrients. Then it is OK to do it once every two months during the growing season! It is generally not necessary to fertilise them during the winter months. However, if your Syngonium is actively growing during winter, you can fertilise it a little.

Temperature

Syngoniums prefer warm spots, so average home temperatures are perfect for them. They grow best in temperatures between 18-26°C. The minimum temperature that Syngoniums can tolerate is around 13°C. Long-term exposure to temperatures below this can cause the plant to become dormant, resulting in slow growth or even death.

Is it safe to take it outside in the summer (Europe)?

Syngoniums can be taken outside in the summer in Europe as long as they are protected from direct sunlight and strong winds. Its delicate foliage can also be damaged by heavy rain. Roofed balconies or terraces would be an ideal place for it. Be sure to bring it inside before the temperature drops below 13°C at night!

Humidity

Syngoniums love humid environments. It's ideal to have air humidity between 50-70%. They can handle a little lower humidity. However, if the humidity drops below 40%, they may become stressed and develop brown and crispy leaves.

Dry air can be quite a problem in winter during the heating season. To raise air humidity, you can use a room humidifier, put a tray of water with pebbles near your Syngonium, or group it with other plants.

Repotting

Syngoniums usually need to be repotted every 2-3 years or when they have outgrown their current pot. It is important not to disturb the roots too much during repotting since they are rather sensitive and can result in stress for the plant. Take a look at our repotting tips!

Soil

Syngoniums love well-draining soil with a soil pH of 5,5-6,5. It is important to avoid soils that are too compact and too porous. We recommend using PLNTS organic potting soil for the best results!

Pruning Syngonium

Syngoniums tolerate pruning very well and can be pruned throughout the year to maintain their shape and size. As natural climbers, they tend to produce long vines as they mature. To maintain a bushy growth habit, cut off these vines as needed.

Sometimes Syngonium can grow too leggy or too tall. You can simply cut back some stems to promote branching. This will promote bushier growth, and you can also use those cuttings to propagate new plants. How cool is that!

Syngonium propagation

Syngoniums are one of the easiest plants to propagate! There are two common methods for this: stem cuttings and root divisions. In addition, you can experiment with air layering since Syngoniums respond well to this technique.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to propagate Syngoniums using stem cuttings:

1. Choose a healthy stem at least 15 cm long with several leaves attached. Use sharp scissors to make a clean cut below a leaf node.
2. To encourage root growth, dip the cut end of the stem in rooting powder.
3. Prepare a small pot and fill it with well-draining soil. Use your finger or a pencil to create a hole in the centre of the soil. Then, gently place the cutting into the hole and press the soil down around it.
4. Keep the soil moderately moist but not wet, and provide bright, indirect light and warm temperatures for the new cutting to establish and grow.
5. Another option is to propagate your cuttings by placing them in clean water. Be sure to change the water periodically to keep it fresh. Once you see roots, transplant your cutting into well-draining soil.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to propagate Syngoniums using root division:

1. Carefully remove Syngonium from its pot and gently separate the roots into several sections, each with its stems and leaves.
2. Plant each section into its own pot using well-draining soil.
3. Water each new plant thoroughly and place them in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight.
4. Allow the new plants to establish and grow in their new pots, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.

Air-layering is a propagation method that involves inducing roots to grow on a stem while it is still attached to the parent plant. If you want to experiment with this technique on Syngonium, make a small incision on a healthy stem, apply rooting powder, wrap the area in moist sphagnum moss, and cover it in plastic.

After a few weeks, roots should have developed, and the stem can be cut off from the parent plant and planted in its pot. Air-layering can be a reliable method of propagating Syngonium, but it may take some time and patience to see results.

Most common pests & diseases on Syngoniums

Infestations on Syngoniums are rare but only when it receives sufficient love, care and good growing conditions. When infestations do occur, it will mostly be spider mites, mealybugs, aphids and scale. If spider mites or other pests are found, treat the plant immediately to remove the insects and prevent extensive damage.

Do not forget to put the plant in quarantine. Otherwise, all your babies will get those annoying pests. Do not panic, stay calm! Our PLNTS Doctor knows what to do.

Syngonium varieties

There are several varieties of Syngonium plants available, each with its unique appearance and growth habits. One of the most wanted varieties is Syngonium Albo Variegata, her green leaves with large splashes of white make this variegated plant very unique. Other popular varieties include Syngonium Mottled, which has green leaves with splashes of white and dark green, and Syngonium Milk Confetti, which has green leaves with white and pink-colored variegation. Syngonium plants are relatively easy to care for and can adapt to a range of indoor conditions, making them a great choice for beginners or experienced plant parents alike.

Are Syngoniums poisonous for your pets or children?

Unfortunately, yes. Syngonium leaves, stems, roots, and flowers are poisonous. This can really harm you, your children and your pets. The calcium oxalate crystal in the plant is toxic and can cause symptoms like pain and swelling in the mouth, lips and tongue, and it can cause difficulty swallowing and excessive drooling. Please keep them away from your furry friends and children. Safety always comes first!

Buy Syngonium online at PLNTS.com

At PLNTS.com, you can buy different types of Syngonium plants, like the Syngonium Wendlandii and the Syngonium White Butterfly . With so many varieties to choose from, there is Syngonium for everyone! Whether you like your Syngonium big from the start or prefer to grow them from tiny BabyPLNTS into full-grown PLNTS - buy Syngonium online at PLNTS.com.