Syngonium podophyllum 'Pink Delight'

Care basics for Syngonium podophyllum 'Pink Delight'

Choose bright filtered light, sheltered from harsh direct sun, with temperatures around 18–27 °C. Avoid cold draughts. Room humidity around 40–60% suits indoor growth; a humidifier is an option in dry air.

Use free-draining houseplant mix and a pot with drainage holes. Water when the mix around the roots has dried slightly, with some moisture remaining below the surface. Feel whether the pot is lighter, or use a wooden stick to check moisture below the surface. Wet the root ball evenly, allow excess water to escape and empty the saucer or cover pot.

Apply diluted balanced houseplant fertiliser about monthly during active growth, following its label. Pause feeding when growth stops and allow more time between waterings as drying slows. If the mix dries unusually fast, check the roots. When they tightly fill the pot, repot the plant in a slightly larger container with fresh mix.

Let lengthening stems trail or attach them loosely to a climbing support. Pruning with clean scissors can help retain compact growth with juvenile foliage.

Common problems with Syngonium podophyllum 'Pink Delight'

• Wilting while the mix stays wet: Empty standing water and pause watering. Inspect roots if wilt persists. Firm roots can remain intact as the mix dries slightly. If roots are soft and collapsing, separate the plant and keep water draining from its pot away from nearby plants. Cut decay back to healthy tissue with disinfected tools, disinfecting between cuts and afterwards. Discard rot and affected mix; 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.
• Fine stippling with webbing: Check beneath leaves with magnification or tap foliage over white paper for moving mites. Isolate affected plants and inspect those nearby. Rinse infested foliage weekly while mites remain. Bag heavily infested leaves and wash hands and tools after handling. Check new leaves for returning mites.
• White fluff or sticky honeydew: Inspect veins beneath leaves, stem joints and the base for mealybugs. Separate an infested plant, rinse foliage and remove visible insects with tweezers or a damp swab. Recheck weekly and repeat removal. Persistent colonies may need a treatment labelled for mealybugs on indoor ornamental plants; follow its repeat intervals and plant-safety instructions.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Pink Delight’ 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.