Syngonium podophyllum
Syngonium podophyllum (Arrowhead Vine) Care Guide
Featured photosyngonium-podophyllum.jpgSyngonium podophyllum is a fast-growing tropical American climber whose juvenile leaves are simple arrowheads — hence the trade name — and whose adult leaves split into multiple lobes once the vine climbs. Many cultivars exist from the white-streaked Albo to the pink Neon Robusta to the green-marbled Arrow. It is easy, forgiving, and one of the most popular beginner climbers.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 2 to 3 cm of mix has dried.
- Humidity
- 50–70 %
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
- Soil
- Standard well-draining houseplant mix with perlite.
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic. Calcium oxalate sap. (humans) · Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA Syngonium listing. (pets)
- Origin
- Tropical Mexico through Central and South America to Bolivia.
- Mature size
- Vines to 2 metres indoors with support; juvenile bushy form stays compact.
Overview
Syngonium podophyllum has been in cultivation for over a century and is one of the most variable houseplants in cultivar range. Trade names refer to the juvenile leaf colour; adult lobed leaves usually appear only on a tall climbing support.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light; deep shade slows growth and dulls colour.
- Allow the top of the mix to dry between waterings.
- Pinch back regularly to keep the bushy juvenile form, or give it a moss pole for climbing adult leaves.
- Variegated cultivars need brighter light to keep white sections healthy.
Common Problems
Yellow leaves are overwatering. Brown crispy edges are dry air. Loss of pink or white variegation is usually low light.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
Will my pink Syngonium stay pink?
It depends on the cultivar and light. Neon Robusta tends to keep pink in bright filtered light; many cultivars fade or revert to greener tones over time.
Climber or bush?
Both — left to bush it stays a tidy small plant; given a pole it climbs and develops adult lobed leaves.
Why is my Syngonium falling over?
The juvenile bush eventually wants to vine. Either provide a support, or cut back hard to keep the bush form.
