Arrowhead plants, or Syngonium podophyllum, are attractive evergreen plants known for their uniquely shaped leaves. In their native tropical and subtropic environments, they are fast-growing and even considered invasive. But their low-maintenance nature makes them a popular houseplant choice.
This article will give you a general guideline for caring for this plant, including optimal growing conditions and maintenance requirements. Read on to learn more on how to care for arrowhead plant.
What You'll Learn Today
Are Arrowhead Plants Easy to Care For?
An arrowhead plant is a great choice for beginners and veteran gardeners alike. It’s a relatively low-maintenance, drama-free plant.
These plants come in many different varieties and are versatile in use. They can be used as a ground cover (in warmer zones), in hanging baskets, climbing vines, or small container plants.
As long as your home falls mostly within its preferred growing conditions, you’ll have a happy plant. Here’s what you’ll need to successfully grow an arrowhead plant:
- Warm temperatures: Arrowhead plants do best in temperatures within the range of 60°F – 85°F. When the temperature gets below 50°, the plant will start to suffer and could die.
- A safe spot: Arrowhead plants are toxic to people and pets. Make sure you have somewhere to put the plant so that your furry friend can’t get to it, but is still in good growing conditions.
- Humidity: This plant is native to South and Central American tropical areas with high humidity levels. To keep an arrowhead plant happy, keep it out of spots with dry air, like near heating vents. To create more humidity for your plant, you can mist the leaves daily to keep them moist. You can also put it next to a humidifier.
- Well-drained soil: Arrowhead plants prefer a peat-based potting mix. You can use all-purpose soil from any store that sells garden supplies.
How Often Should I Water My Arrowhead Plant?
The amount of water you should give your arrowhead plant depends on the time of year. Here are the general watering guidelines depending on the season:
Active Growing Months
This plant needs regular water during the active growing season.
The plant actively grows during the spring and summer months, usually from about April – mid-October. You can wait until the top inch of soil is dry to water your arrowhead.
Depending on where you live, people usually end up watering about once per week. When it’s time, make sure you water until the water runs out of the pot’s drain holes.
Although the arrowhead plant likes regular watering, it is somewhat tolerant to drought. So if you forget to water it once or twice, or go out of town, it’s not the end of the world.
Dormancy
During the cold season, the arrowhead plant goes into dormancy. You won’t see much, if any, growth at this time.
Since its growth slows down, you won’t need to water it as much during the winter. You can still water it when the top inch of soil is dry, but this won’t happen as frequently as it does during the growing season.
You can expect to water your arrowhead plant about once every two weeks in the winter months.
How Much Light Does an Arrowhead Plant Need?
Arrowhead plants are not particularly fussy when it comes to lighting. They can tolerate varying degrees of light.
Your arrowhead will do well in anything from low light to bright indoor light. However, you’ll see that it has the most growth and thrives best in bright, indirect light.
If you don’t have an area in your home with optimal lighting, keep an eye on the plant for adverse behavior. An arrowhead plant that is craving more light may fade in color, and the leaves could become more spaced out.
This YouTube video has a ton of great information about arrowhead plant care and shows you what your plant might look like if it’s in need of better lighting. Check out the description on the video for a list of timestamps for each topic:
If you notice those symptoms, try and find a brighter location. If that’s not possible, consider investing in either a fluorescent or LED light for your plant.
Getting acquainted with a new plant always involves a gradual learning process. To make matters more complicated, every plant is different – even those within the same species.
Luckily, your arrowhead will likely be forgiving and patient while you figure out what makes it happiest.
Syngonium Key Facts
| Botanical Name | Syngonium podophyllum |
| Common Names | Arrowhead plant, arrowhead vine, nephthytis, African evergreen, goosefoot |
| Type of Plant | Evergreen vine |
| Origin | South America, subtropical and tropical rainforests |
| Sun Requirements | Bright, indirect sun |
| Water Requirements | Moderately moist soil, water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch |
| Soil | Well-draining potting mix, preferably organic |
| Bloom Time | Summer months, but flowers rarely appear |
| Common Pests | Aphids, scale, spider mites, scale |
Should I fertilise my Arrowhead plant?
You should feed your arrowhead once a month with an all round liquid fertilizer in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months, and stop feeding in the Winter when the plant is dormant.