Syngonium podophyllum 'Pixie' aka 'Nana'

Care basics for Syngonium podophyllum 'Pixie'

Give 'Pixie' medium to bright indirect light and protect its leaves from harsh direct sun. Aim for temperatures around 18–27 °C, avoiding cold below 15 °C. Humidity near 50% is helpful, and lower household humidity is tolerated.

Use well-drained houseplant compost in a pot with drainage holes. Water when the pot feels lighter and the mix around the roots has dried slightly, with a little moisture remaining below the surface. Moisten the mix evenly, let it drain and empty the saucer or cover pot.

If the mix dries unusually fast or roots emerge from the base, check the root ball. Repot the plant in fresh compost and a slightly larger container when roots tightly fill the pot. Water a healthy plant after repotting and allow excess water to drain.

Apply diluted balanced fertiliser about monthly during active growth, following the label. Stop feeding when growth pauses and wait longer between waterings while the mix dries more slowly. As stems lengthen, they can be tied loosely to a pole or trellis for upward growth.

What to do when Syngonium podophyllum 'Pixie' has problems

• Wilting in moist mix: Empty trapped water and pause watering. If wilt continues, inspect the roots. Firm roots can remain intact while the mix dries slightly. Cut soft decay back to healthy tissue with disinfected scissors, disinfecting between cuts and afterwards. Discard rot and affected mix; repot the remaining plant in fresh mix and a clean pot with drainage. You may need to discard the plant if extensive decay affects both roots and stems.
• New fine flecks or webbing: Use magnification to inspect beneath leaves and check for moving mites by tapping a leaf over white paper. Confirm their presence before treating. Isolate affected plants and inspect nearby foliage. Rinse or wipe infested leaves weekly while mites persist. Bag heavily infested leaves and clean hands and tools.
• Brown or washed-out patches: Strong direct sun can scorch or bleach foliage. Check whether direct sun reaches the affected leaves and move the plant into indirect light. Keep leaves with substantial healthy tissue and remove fully dead leaves. If fresh damage continues, check the moisture in the mix and the condition of the roots.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Pixie’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Why is it called Syngonium podophyllum?

The name Syngonium comes from Greek words meaning “together” and “reproductive organs”, referring to the united ovaries in its flowers. The species name podophyllum means “foot-leaved”, a reference to the foot-like arrangement of mature leaf divisions.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Syngonium in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott first described Syngonium podophyllum in 1851 in Botanische Zeitung (Berlin), volume 9, page 85.