Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon'

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon' and the origin of ‘Neon Robusta’

Syngonium ‘Neon’ is an established horticultural selection of Syngonium podophyllum and is the parent cultivar from which ‘Neon Robusta’ arose as a branch mutation.

The exact originator and introduction history of ‘Neon’ itself are still uncertain.

Everyday care for Syngonium podophyllum 'Neon'

Allow older stems to trail or tie them loosely to a climbing support. Pruning extending stems with clean scissors can help keep a compact plant with juvenile foliage.

The plant grows comfortably at 18–27 °C and should not remain below 15 °C for long. Set ‘Neon’ in bright filtered light and protect it from cold draughts. Keep harsh direct sun off the leaves. Humidity around 50–60% suits indoor growth; a room humidifier is useful when air is dry.

Use free-draining houseplant mix in a pot with drainage holes. Let the potting mix around the roots dry slightly before watering, retaining a little moisture below the surface. Feel whether the pot is lighter, or check moisture below the surface with a wooden stick. Water evenly through the mix, drain and empty any collected water.

Feed about monthly with diluted balanced houseplant fertiliser during active growth. Pause feeding when new growth stops and water less often as drying slows.

Repotting: Repot when the roots tightly fill the container. Use fresh mix and a slightly larger pot.

Propagate Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon' from a healthy stem section containing a node, keeping any existing aerial root intact.

When Syngonium podophyllum 'Neon' looks unhealthy

• Wilt while the root zone stays wet: Stop adding water and empty the saucer. If wilt persists, inspect the roots. Firm roots can remain intact as the mix dries slightly. If you find soft, collapsing roots, isolate the plant. Keep water draining from its pot away from nearby plants, and cut the decay back to healthy tissue with disinfected tools. Clean and disinfect the blades between cuts and afterwards. Discard decay and affected mix, then repot the remaining plant in fresh mix and a new pot with drainage holes. You may need to discard the plant if extensive decay affects both roots and stems.
• New pale flecks or fine webs: Inspect undersides and tap a leaf over white paper for moving mites. Isolate affected plants and inspect nearby foliage. Rinse infested leaves weekly until mites stop returning. Bag heavily infested leaves, wash hands and tools, and check new leaves for returning mites.
• White wax or sticky honeydew: Check veins beneath leaves, stem joints and the stem base for mealybugs. Separate an infested plant, rinse foliage and remove individual insects with tweezers or a damp swab. Inspect weekly and repeat removal. For persistent infestation, use a treatment labelled for mealybugs on indoor ornamental plants, observing repeat intervals and plant-safety precautions.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon’ 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.

Where does the name Syngonium podophyllum come from?

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.