Syngonium podophyllum 'Aureum'

Origin of Syngonium podophyllum 'Aureum'

'Aureum' is a cultivated Syngonium podophyllum whose breeder and introduction date are still uncertain.

The species occurs naturally from Mexico to tropical America.

Care for Syngonium podophyllum 'Aureum'

A pole gives the extending stems something to climb, while a hanging pot allows trailing growth. Prune with clean scissors to keep the vine shorter and encourage juvenile shoots.

Give 'Aureum' bright indirect light and shelter from harsh direct sun. Keep temperatures steady around 18–27 °C, protect it from cold draughts and avoid prolonged temperatures below 15 °C. Keep relative humidity around 50–60% where practical.

Water thoroughly when the pot feels lighter and the mix has dried a little, with some moisture still below the surface. In a container that is difficult to lift, you can check deeper moisture with a wooden stick. Let water drain freely and empty any water from the outer pot.

Use an airy mix that holds some moisture in a pot with drainage holes.

When roots densely circle the container, move to a slightly larger pot with fresh mix.

Feed at a light dose while the plant is making new growth. Pause feeding when growth stops and water less often when the mix takes longer to dry.

Use a healthy stem section containing a node, ideally one that has already formed an aerial root.

Common problems with Syngonium podophyllum 'Aureum' and how to solve them

• Wilt while the mix stays moist: Remove trapped water, then inspect roots if the plant keeps wilting. Mushy, fragile roots and a foul smell suggest decay. Cut rotten roots back to firm tissue with a disinfected blade; disinfect it between cuts and after finishing. Discard affected mix and removed decay, then repot the remaining plant in fresh mix and a clean pot with drainage holes. Keep the mix slightly moist during recovery, allowing some drying between waterings. Discard a plant with extensive root and stem-base decay.
• New stippling, bronzing or fine webs: Yellow sectors are part of the normal leaf pattern. If new fine flecks spread, check the leaf undersides for mites. Isolate an infested plant and inspect nearby plants. Wash or gently wipe affected foliage weekly until mites are controlled. Bag heavily infested leaves and clean hands and tools after handling.
• Brown patches on sun-facing leaves: Direct sun may be scorching the foliage. Move the plant into bright filtered light and watch for fresh damage. Keep partly healthy leaves; remove those that are completely dead.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Aureum’ 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.

How the name Syngonium podophyllum came about

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.