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Name: syngonium, arrowhead vine, goosefoot, Syngonium podophyllum.
Height: can reach 1-4m tall or wide.
Plant type: evergreen vine.
Climate: outdoors in warm, frost-free climates. Suitable for all indoor conditions.
Soil: adaptable to most soil types, provided it is well-drained. Use a premium quality potting mix for indoor plants.
Position: part shade or filtered light outdoors. Indoors, a spot with bright, indirect light.
Flowering and fruiting: cream flowers consisting of a spadix and spathe.
Feeding: liquid feed regularly from spring to autumn.
Watering: allow the top of the potting mix to nearly dry out between each watering.
Syngonium is native to the tropical rainforests of South and Central America, along with the islands of the West Indies, where it can be found creeping on the forest floor or climbing trees. The leaves are heart-shaped when young, developing into more prominent arrowheads as the plant matures. Foliage may be varying shades of green, pink or red, and can be decorated with blotches, specks or contrasting venations.
As a young plant, syngonium is an attractive, clumping mound of foliage. As it ages, the vining stems are looking to climb; however, if there is no support, they will trail over the sides of the pot or creep along the ground.
All parts of the syngonium are toxic – they contain calcium oxalate crystals – and can cause severe irritations if consumed. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Syngonium is an attractive foliage plant that lends itself beautifully to being grouped with other plants for contrast. Let the foliage cascade over pot edges or encourage the vines to climb on a coir totem.
Outdoors, syngonium is best contained within garden beds where the edges are confined by solid edging or barriers. However, extra care needs to be taken as its aggressive climbing or creeping nature can lead to it taking over garden beds.
Position syngonium in a brightly lit spot, out of direct sunlight. Use a premium quality potting mix and water regularly to keep the potting mix moist. If required, cut back the vines to keep it under control.
Repot every couple of years to maintain growth and vigour.
Syngonium is an easy-to-care-for indoor plant. Once established, it is tolerant of a little neglect, but will perform better with regular care.
Train it to climb a coir totem by securing the stems to the pole with jute string or u-pins. Aerial roots will eventually form and cling onto the totem, so there is no need to continually secure stems to the pole. Alternatively, let the vines trail and spread over pot edges.
Water syngonium when the top 2.5-5cm of potting mix is dry. Feed regularly from spring to autumn with a liquid fertiliser suitable for indoor plants.
Prune syngonium if vines become unmanageable. Cut back to the desired size, as required. Take care when pruning as the stems exude a milky sap when cut and may be a skin irritant. Use the cuttings to propagate more plants (see below).
Syngonium is not usually troubled by pests or diseases. Sap-sucking pests like mealybug and mites may occasionally attack the leaves and stems. Treat with a suitable insecticide if sighted.
Syngonium propagates easily via stem cuttings. Take a stem 10-15cm long and cut under a node (the bump along the stem where leaves emerge). Remove lower leaves and insert the cutting into a jar of water, ensuring the node is submerged. Transfer to potting mix once roots are 5-10cm long.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum): fast-growing and low maintenance; the perfect indoor plant.
Philodendron (Philodendron spp.): easy-care indoor plant with handsome, glossy green leaves.
Mother-in-law’s tongue (Dracaena trifasciata): a hardy indoor plant with strappy patterned leaves.
Check out our wide range of indoor plants and get your indoor garden growing!
Photo credit: Getty Images
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