Easy Tropical Toxic to pets

Arrowhead Plant

Syngonium podophyllum

A plant with arrow-shaped leaves available in numerous shades from green to pink to white, the arrowhead plant is as beautiful as it is easy to grow.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Medium light
Humidity

50–60 %
Temperature

16–27 °C

How to care for your Arrowhead Plant

Everything you need to keep your Arrowhead Plant healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Syngonium podophyllum is native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, where it climbs along trees using its aerial roots. Its juvenile arrow-shaped leaves evolve into lobed and palmate forms as the plant matures, offering a spectacle of botanical metamorphosis. Available in an impressive palette of colors ranging from deep green to vivid pink to creamy white, dozens of cultivars exist for every taste. Grown as a compact potted plant or allowed to climb on a support, it easily adapts to different interior decoration styles.

Watering your Arrowhead Plant

Every 7 days

Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry. Keep soil evenly moist in summer. Reduce watering in winter. Good drainage is essential.

How to know it needs water

Top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry to the touch
Leaves droop or curl inward
Lower leaves turn yellow from overwatering

How much light a Arrowhead Plant needs

Medium light

Medium to bright indirect light. Green varieties tolerate low light. Pink or white variegated forms need brighter conditions. Avoid direct sun.

Direct sun tolerated: No direct sun
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, North-west, West

Humidity and misting

50–60 %

50–60% Appreciates regular misting. Brown leaf edges indicate low humidity. A pebble tray or humidifier helps in dry heated rooms.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Feed monthly during the growing season at half strength. Avoid fertilizing in winter. Flush soil occasionally to prevent salt buildup.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer (20-20-20) · 2-1-2

Repotting your Arrowhead Plant

Every 18 months

Use a well-draining aroid mix with perlite and orchid bark. Increase pot size by 2–3 cm. Add a support pole if growing upright.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from drainage holes
Plant becomes rootbound and dries out quickly
Growth slows despite proper care conditions

Pruning your Arrowhead Plant

Spring and summer, or whenever the plant becomes too leggy or vine-like. Prune stems above a node to encourage bushier growth. Remove older, mature leaves if a compact form is desired. Cuttings root easily in water.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Causes oral pain, swelling, drooling, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by pets or humans.

Good to know

Syngonium leaves change shape as they mature: juvenile leaves are arrow-shaped, then become lobed and palmate as the plant grows.
The Syngonium is considered a lucky plant in feng shui, symbolizing the five elements through its five leaf lobes.

Frequently asked questions about the Arrowhead Plant

How do you care for a Arrowhead Plant?

Water it every 7 days. Give it medium light. Ideal humidity: 50–60 %. Ideal temperature: 16–27 °C. Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry. Keep soil evenly moist in summer. Reduce watering in winter. Good drainage is essential.

How often should you water a Arrowhead Plant?

Every 7 days Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry. Keep soil evenly moist in summer. Reduce watering in winter. Good drainage is essential. How to know it needs water : Top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry to the touch ; Leaves droop or curl inward ; Lower leaves turn yellow from overwatering.

How much light does a Arrowhead Plant need?

Medium light Medium to bright indirect light. Green varieties tolerate low light. Pink or white variegated forms need brighter conditions. Avoid direct sun. No direct sun

Is the Arrowhead Plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Causes oral pain, swelling, drooling, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by pets or humans. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Arrowhead Plant leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Arrowhead Plant?

Repot every 18 months, ideally in spring. Use a well-draining aroid mix with perlite and orchid bark. Increase pot size by 2–3 cm. Add a support pole if growing upright.