Syngonium podophyllum 'Brocante'

Origin of Syngonium podophyllum 'Brocante'

‘Brocante’ is a cultivated Syngonium podophyllum whose breeder and introduction history are still unclear.

The wild species, Syngonium podophyllum, occurs naturally from Mexico to tropical America.

Everyday care for Syngonium podophyllum 'Brocante'

Tie extending stems loosely to a moss pole, trellis or bamboo stake. Prune with clean scissors during active growth to shorten the vine and encourage new shoots.

Give ‘Brocante’ medium to bright indirect light in a room around 18–27 °C. Protect it from harsh sun and temperatures below 15 °C. Target a level close to 50–60% relative humidity.

Water when the pot feels lighter and the compost has dried slightly below the surface, with a little moisture remaining around the roots. For a container that is hard to lift, you can check deeper moisture with a wooden stick. Water all the compost evenly, then drain and empty the saucer.

Feeding and slower growth. Feed lightly about monthly during active growth. Stop feeding when growth pauses and wait longer between waterings as drying slows.

Potting and repotting. Choose a free-draining mix and a pot that lets excess water leave readily. Repot into a slightly larger container when roots densely circle the root ball.

Take a healthy node-bearing section from Syngonium podophyllum 'Brocante' and keep any existing aerial root intact to help establishment.

Problems and solutions for Syngonium podophyllum 'Brocante'

• Wilting in damp compost: Empty trapped water first. If wilt persists, check for soft, collapsing roots. Cut decay back to healthy tissue with disinfected scissors; disinfect them between cuts and afterwards. Discard rotten material and affected compost, then repot the remaining plant in fresh mix and a clean pot with drainage holes. Water again once the mix has dried slightly around the roots. You may need to discard the plant if severe decay reaches the stem base.
• New speckling and fine webs: Bronze colouring is normal on 'Brocante'. If fine flecks spread or webbing appears, inspect the undersides with magnification or tap a leaf over white paper to look for moving mites. Isolate an infested plant and check its neighbours. Rinse or wipe affected foliage weekly while mites remain, bag heavily infested leaves and clean hands and tools.
• Fresh scorch or bleaching: Strong direct sun can damage the foliage. Move to a position with filtered daylight. Retain leaves with substantial healthy areas and remove fully dead leaves with clean scissors.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Brocante’ 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.

Syngonium podophyllum: name and meaning

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.