Syngonium Podophyllum is a beautiful vine from the family Araceae. Also known as Arrowhead Vine, Arrowhead Plant, and Goosefoot, is a gorgeous plant you can grow in your home. These beautiful plants will spread and extend in all the directions, and you can easily train them to follow a trellis or a another supporting structure.

In general, these plants like to spread out. Some varieties are compact, but most Syngonium Podophyllum vines like to spread out a lot. It means that you can prune them without much issue in order to keep them in check.

A great thing about Syngonium Podophyllum plants is that they come in many different varieties, so it's possible to choose the ones you like the best. In general, all varieties of Syngonium Podophyllum are great for beginners and those who do not have enough time to dedicate to their plants. Syngonium Podophyllum do not require a lot of care, so they can thrive with only a little effort.

For example, they can be placed almost anywhere in the home, even in lower light conditions. Although this is far from ideal, your Syngonium Podophyllum plant will be able to survive. Also, these plants can live a long time without a fertilizer, and they need to be watered around once per week. It means that they are low-effort plants that can add a lot of beauty to your home.

You can train your Syngonium Podophyllum to grow in any way you want. Using stakes or a trellis is a great way to encourage your Syngonium Podophyllum vine to grow in directions that you want. It is also very easy to make your Syngonium Podophyllum grow on a wall. Their tendrils can easily attach themselves to different surfaces. This way, you can have it around your home without much effort. If you choose to train your Syngonium Podophyllum to grow around the house, keep in mind that you always need to tie older plants to their supports so the new growth can have a chance to tie itself to the support. Smaller, younger plants will typically find a support on their own, without needing to be tied to the stake or a trellis.

Keep in mind that Syngonium Podophyllum are toxic when ingested, so they can be dangerous to your pets or small children. Make sure to keep them out of the reach.

Syngonium Podophyllum Watering

Syngonium Podophyllum will thrive if you allow it to partially dries out between waterings. However, you should never leave it dry for too long, or else the plant will start to get stressed and weaken. You will know that it doesn't receive enough watering if you notice that its leaves are drying out and turning brown. If this occurs, make sure to soak the soil with water and let your Syngonium Podophyllum rehydrate.

However, watering too much is not a good way to go, either. Syngonium Podophyllum should not be allowed to sit in water for too long. If the plant sits in water for too long the leaves will typically turn yellow or brown, and the roots will sit in water. Being waterlogged is dangerous because it prevents oxygen from reaching the plant roots. This creates a favorable breeding ground for bacteria and fungal infections, as well as other types of diseases.

Light Requirements

Syngonium Podophyllum are known to be very tolerant to low light condition, but it doesn't mean that this ideal or that your plant will thrive in this situation. They will grow much faster and will maintain their gorgeous coloring and markings if you keep them on medium to bright indirect light.

Keep in mind that you should never subject your Syngonium Podophyllum to strong direct sun. Direct light will cause sunburn on the leaves and cause a lot of trouble. While a bit of direct sun will not harm it much, it is best to be avoided.

Remember, it is also possible to grow Syngonium Podophyllum under artificial light. This may be the best solution for those who live in low-light conditions or who do not have a better place for their Syngonium Podophyllum.

In general, it is a good practice to move your Syngonium Podophyllum close to the light during the winter months, because typical amount of light that it receives throughout the year will not be enough.

Also, make sure to rotate your Syngonium Podophyllum plant regularly. Plants grow toward the light, which will lead to uneven growth of your plant. Rotation will ensure that all sides of your Syngonium Podophyllum are equal and lush throughout the year.

Other Care Requirements

In general, water is the key care requirement you need to provide to your Syngonium Podophyllum plant to make it thrive. Also, light should be medium to bright and indirect to make your plant happy. Outside of these requirements, your Syngonium Podophyllum doesn't ask for much to be happy.

Here are some other care requirements that are good to provide, although even if you do not have them all, it will not be completely damaging to your plant:

• Temperature. Syngonium Podophyllum is not too picky about temperatures. Normal household temperatures throughout the year are great to make this plant thrive. In general, Syngonium Podophyllum needs temperatures around 60 to 80 degrees F. Make sure not to keep them in temperatures under 50 degrees F and your plants will thrive. Also, remember to keep your Syngonium Podophyllum away from doorways or other potential sources of draft, particularly during the winter months.
• Humidity. Syngonium Podophyllum can do well in the average humidity levels in a typical home. Household humidity of around 40% to 50% is fine, although your Syngonium Podophyllum plant will thrive if the humidity is a bit higher. If you can provide humidity of about 60%, it will be ideal for your plant. Increasing humidity around your Syngonium Podophyllum can be beneficial to make your plant thrive.
• Fertilizing. You should aim to fertilize your Syngonium Podophyllum vine during the growing season twice per month. A good choice is a liquid fertilizer at half strength. Another way to go is a slow-release fertilizer or a compost or worm castings during the early spring. These things will provide a good source of nutrients for your Syngonium Podophyllum plant.
• Propagation. It is relatively easy to propagate Syngonium Podophyllum plants using cuttings. You can get cuttings by trimming and pruning your plant when you wish to shape it or keep it in check. Keep the vines and use them as cuttings - they tend to grow roots quickly and without much effort.

Photo credit: Dinesh Valke