Syngonium podophyllum 'Arrow'

Range and Horticultural Background

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Arrow’ is a cultivated form of a tropical American forest climber. Its natural range begins in Mexico, continues across Central America and reaches northern and central South America. Roots produced at the nodes attach the stems to supports, and mature climbing shoots develop more divided foliage than juvenile plants.

The ‘Arrow’ cultivar is a green form of the species and shares its tropical American ancestry.

Care for supported aroid vines

Light: Syngonium podophyllum ‘Arrow’ grows with indirect light ranging from moderate to bright and accepts a small amount of gentle direct sun after acclimatisation. A brighter filtered position keeps the petioles firmer and supports mature climbing growth, whereas a persistently dark position produces longer stems between successive leaves.

Roots and substrate: Choose a loose aroid mix with both moisture-holding and coarse components. Water the full pot once the upper section has dried, allowing slight moisture to remain in the lower root zone, and drain it completely. The green cultivar is relatively forgiving of a short dry spell, but repeated severe wilt damages fine roots. Reduce frequency when winter light and leaf production decline.

Growth and support: Let the stems trail for a compact juvenile display or attach them to a rough upright support to encourage larger, divided adult foliage. Shorten long stems immediately beyond a node to redirect growth, and repot when roots have occupied the existing container.

Recognising Signs of Trouble

General yellowing or wilt in a wet pot should trigger root inspection before fertiliser or more water. Firm roots in a dry throughout root ball need complete rehydration. Cut away soft brown roots or a weakening stem base, then return the viable vine to warmth in a looser mix. Long gaps between leaves and increasingly small pale leaves point to insufficient filtered light or a lack of climbing support. Improve light gradually and let the vine attach if larger foliage is wanted. Mature supported leaves can become more lobed or divided, which is healthy development rather than malformed growth.

Thrips leave rough silver injury and black dots inside new rolls; mite feeding appears as many tiny pale or bronze points below the blade. Move the vine away from other plants and keep water off its leaves if a wet-looking patch expands. Compare several healthy leaves on the vine before diagnosing it from one juvenile arrow-shaped blade.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Arrow’ 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.

About the name 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.