Syngonium podophyllum 'Strawberry Ice'

Where ‘Strawberry Ice’ comes from

‘Strawberry Ice’ belongs to Syngonium podophyllum, a vine found naturally from Mexico through tropical America. Wild plants climb through warm wet-tropical vegetation and attach with aerial roots.

Strawberry pink, cream, mint and white sections set this variety apart. Its vigorous stem can carry larger divided leaves as it matures.

Care for ‘Strawberry Ice’

Light for its many colours

Bright indirect light supports the green tissue and protects strawberry pink, cream, mint and white areas from scorch. Keep shoots that still have a healthy area of green. This vigorous vine benefits from a sturdy pole that separates the broad leaves.

Watering highly variegated foliage

Check for dryness 2 to 3 cm down and confirm that the pot has become lighter. Water the whole potting mix and let it drain. Use coir or peat with small bark and perlite to keep the mix loose. Large pale sections show drought, salt damage and weak roots early, so check all three before making a change.

Growth, feeding and propagation

The vine grows well at 18 to 27°C, and normal household humidity is suitable. Protect it from any drop below 15°C, and add a light feed only when new foliage is forming. A supported main stem can produce larger leaves; pruning promotes more shoots. Give the roots a larger container once they have occupied the current one. Take cuttings from healthy nodes that still carry enough green to keep growing.

Problems affecting ‘Strawberry Ice’

• Pink, cream or white sections brown: Pale tissue reacts first to direct sun, severe drought and strong fertiliser. Protect the plant from harsh light, steady watering and flush mineral deposits.
• A shoot loses nearly all green: Growth with too little green may weaken. Cut back to the last balanced node that produced healthy multicoloured leaves.
• Leaves turn soft yellow in damp mix: This is root stress, not part of the pattern. Inspect for damaged roots, remove failed tissue and repot into porous substrate.
• Fresh leaves are scarred or twisted: Examine the folded young growth for thrips damage and fine mite stippling. Cottony clusters point to mealybugs, and fixed bumps indicate scale. Separate the affected vine, then use the treatment specified for that pest.
• Tan marks become translucent or larger: Keep the leaves dry, improve airflow and remove severely affected foliage. Continued lesions need diagnosis.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Strawberry Ice’ 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.