Syngonium wendlandii

Where Syngonium wendlandii comes from

Syngonium wendlandii is native to Costa Rica, where it grows as a climber in a warm, wet tropical climate.

How to care for Syngonium wendlandii at home

Let the mix dry slightly around the roots before watering. Check that the pot feels lighter and the mix below the surface is still slightly moist; use a wooden stick to check deeper in a large container. Water evenly, allow drainage and empty water from the saucer or cover pot.

An airy mix that holds some moisture suits it. Equal parts coir, vermiculite and perlite are one option for a pot with drainage holes. If the mix dries unusually quickly, check the root ball. When roots tightly fill the pot, repot the plant in a container only a little wider, with fresh mix.

Provide medium to bright indirect light and temperatures around 19–23 °C. Humidity around 50% or higher is preferable, though average room humidity is tolerated.

Train extending stems onto a moss pole using loose ties, leaving leaf stalks free. Juvenile trailing growth can also be grown in a hanging basket. Feed lightly about monthly while leaves are developing, following the balanced fertiliser's label. Stop feeding when growth pauses and water less frequently as drying slows.

Common problems with Syngonium wendlandii

• Sparse, weak new growth: Insufficient light can produce thin stems and wide gaps between leaves. Move the plant gradually into brighter indirect light.
• Wilting with dry mix around the roots: Check below the surface before watering. If the root ball is dry and the pot feels light, water thoroughly, allow drainage and empty the saucer.
• Wilting despite wet mix: Empty the cover pot and pause watering.If wilting continues or the base softens, check both the roots and the stem base. If both are firm, let the mix dry slightly. If the stem base is firm and only some roots have rotted, keep the healthy roots. Cut the soft sections back to healthy tissue with disinfected tools, disinfecting between cuts and afterwards. Discard rot and affected mix before repotting the remaining plant in fresh mix and a clean pot with drainage.If the base is soft or all roots have rotted, keep the plant isolated and have it checked promptly by a plant specialist. You may need to discard the plant if both roots and stems are extensively decayed.
• Fluffy white wax in leaf joints: Check for mealybugs around the joints and beneath leaves. Isolate an affected plant, wipe off visible insects with a damp swab and remove dead foliage. Inspect weekly and repeat removal when needed.

Syngonium wendlandii 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 wendlandii came about

The name Syngonium comes from Greek words meaning “together” and “reproductive organs”, referring to the united ovaries in its flowers. The epithet wendlandii honours Hermann Wendland, a German botanist and horticulturist noted for his work with palms and aroids.

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 wendlandii in 1858 in Österreichische Botanische Zeitschrift, volume 8, page 178.