If you just got an Arrowhead plant, these questions about taking care of Syngonium might be on your mind. I understand that houseplant care might get overwhelming, so this detailed Syngonium care guide is exactly for you.
The good news is that Syngonium are easy for beginners to take care of because they don’t need much attention, can live in almost any spot, grow quickly, and don’t mind being ignored once in a while.
Syngonium is a genus of plants in the Araceae family. Their leaves have a pointy shape, which is why they are also called Spurge or Arrowhead. e. aroid plants as most call them). Syngonium do flower but their blooms are rarely seen when grown indoors. Arrowhead plants are native to tropical forests in Central and South America, as well as southern Mexico and Brazil. Some of their vines can grow up to 20 meters long, making them very tall plants that usually grow on top of bigger trees.
There are many different Syngonium varieties: over 30 species are found in the plants’ natural habitat. One of the most popular houseplants, arrowhead plants, are easy to take care of and have leaves that are very different from each other, sometimes in very bright colors. That type that is grown in gardens the most is Syngonium Podophyllum, which comes in a range of bright colors. Albo Variegata, Aurea, Strawberry Ice, and Scrambled Eggs Variegata are some of the most popular and sought-after arrowhead plants.
Although there are so many different Syngonium varieties, their care requirements are quite similar. You probably came here because a beautiful Syngonium caught your eye. Now you may be wondering how to take care of an Arrowhead plant so it grows happily and healthily. This guide is for you.
This in-depth Syngonium Care Guide tells you everything you need to know to keep your Arrowhead plant healthy. Some of the things that are talked about are how to grow Syngoniums, how much water they need, how much light they need, how to use fertilizer, and the best ways to make more of these aroid plants.
You can find a summary of the care needs of a Syngonium in the table below.
Syngonium, also known as Arrowhead Plant, Nephthytis or Goosefoot Plant, is a popular houseplant known for its attractive arrow-shaped leaves. With its tropical origins, Syngonium thrives in bright, indirect light. However, getting the light levels right can be tricky. Providing too much or too little light can lead to poor growth and unhealthy plants. This article will examine syngonium’s light needs in detail so you can help your plant reach its full potential.
Optimal Light Conditions for Syngonium
As a tropical foliage plant, syngonium grows best in bright, filtered light that mimics the dappled sunlight of its natural rainforest habitat. Direct hot sunlight will scorch the leaves, but the plant still needs adequate brightness to photosynthesize effectively. Light levels are often categorized as low, moderate or bright indirect light. Syngonium does best in moderate to bright indirect light.
More specifically, a syngonium plant needs:
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12 to 16 hours of bright, indirect light per day – This provides enough light for photosynthesis without overexposing the plant. East, west or north facing windows are ideal in homes. Outdoor shaded spots work well in warm climates.
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2000 to 4,000 lux light levels – Lux is a measurement of light intensity. A syngonium requires between 2000 to 4,000 lux for optimal growth. For reference, a brightly lit office has around 500 lux. An east facing window provides 2,000 to 5,000 lux depending on time of day.
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Protection from direct sun – Direct sunlight can bleach or burn syngonium’s leaves, Filtered bright light from a sheer curtain works well, Move outdoor plants to dappled shade spots
Getting these light conditions right will keep your syngonium vibrant and actively growing. Insufficient light leads to small, slow growing leaves while too much light causes leaf scorching. Adjust the plant’s location until you find its sweet spot.
Signs Your Syngonium Needs More Light
It’s not always obvious if your syngonium is getting adequate brightness Here are some signs that indicate your plant needs more light
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Slow growth – In optimal conditions, syngonium is a fast growing plant. Slow growth shows that light is probably insufficient.
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Small new leaves – With more light, new leaves grow bigger. Small new growth indicates a need for brighter conditions.
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Long spindly stems – Reaching for light causes syngonium to produce longer stems between leaves. This gives a leggy appearance.
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Light green new leaves – New leaves should be a lush dark green. Pale coloring shows inadequate light for photosynthesis.
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Few or no new leaves – Insufficient light limits a syngonium’s ability to actively produce new growth.
Moving a syngonium showing these signs to a brighter location will usually help it improve rapidly. Give it a few weeks to acclimate before checking for new growth.
What Happens if a Syngonium Gets Too Much Light?
While syngonium needs good light, too much direct sun leads to leaf burn, bleaching and other damage. Signs of excessive light include:
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Leaf scorching – This appears as brown crispy spots and edges, especially on exposed leaves. It is caused by extreme heat and light intensity.
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Bleaching – Leaves fade to a pale green or yellow from too much sunlight. Chlorophyll starts to break down.
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Wilting – Excess light causes water loss through the leaves, leading to wilting even if the soil is moist.
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Stunted growth – Harsh light deprives the plant of moisture and nutrients needed for new leaves and vines. Growth slows down.
Filter the light if any of these issues occur. Move the syngonium back from the window or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the sunlight. Also check that heat and air flow are adequate – poor ventilation compounds any problems.
Acclimating Syngonium to Changing Light Levels
Syngonium does best when light levels remain fairly steady. Sudden major increases or decreases in brightness can shock the plant, especially if moved from indoors to outdoors. To transition a syngonium safely:
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Move gradually to the new location over 7 to 14 days. This gives the plant time to adjust.
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Start by placing it part way between the old and new spots for a few days. Then move a little closer repeating over a week or two.
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Rotate the plant frequently so all sides get even light exposure.
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Monitor closely and watch for any signs of leaf scorching or other stress.
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For outdoor moves, do it in spring or fall when sunlight is less intense than summer.
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Cut back on watering and fertilizer until acclimated since the plant will grow slower during adjustment.
With this gradual process, syngonium can adapt to significantly more or less light. Just transition slowly and be observant.
Optimizing Other Factors with Syngonium’s Light Needs
Achieving the right brightness for your syngonium also involves coordinating other plant care factors:
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Water – Check soil moisture frequently. Syngonium needs more frequent watering in brighter light. Allow soil to partly dry out between waterings.
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Temperature – Ensure daytime temperatures of 65°F to 80°F and not below 60°F at night. Cooler conditions reduce light requirements.
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Humidity – Maintain 40% to 60% relative humidity. Bright light increases moisture needs. Grouping plants or using a humidifier can help.
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Air Flow – Prevent hot stuffy conditions around the plant, which amplify leaf burn. Circulation is key.
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Fertilizer – Apply diluted fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season for healthy growth. Limit in winter.
Balancing all these factors along with the ideal light levels keeps your syngonium thriving. Monitor its condition and make adjustments as needed.
Choosing the Best Syngonium Varieties for Your Light Conditions
With over 30 named varieties, syngonium offers lots of options for virtually any light situation. The best picks include:
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Low Light – Mini Pixie, White Butterfly, White Knight.
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Moderate Light – Neon Robusta, Red Spot Tricolor.
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Bright Light – Albo, Jade Satin, Pink Splash.
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Variegated – Needs bright light to maintain variegation like Silvery Anne, Maria Allusion.
Talk to your local nursery about the best syngonium types for the light levels in your home or garden. They can recommend varieties suited to your conditions.
Troubleshooting Light Issues with Syngonium
Here are some quick tips if your syngonium shows signs of insufficient or excessive light:
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Too little light – Move plant to brighter spot. Prune leggy growth. Fertilize to encourage new leaves.
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Too much light – Filter or diffuse the sunlight. Move farther from window. Check for pests/disease.
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Sudden leaf drop – Likely due to abrupt light change. Transition light levels gradually over weeks.
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Leaf scorch – Cut off damaged tissue. Increase air circulation. Add sheer curtain to soften direct sun.
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Stunted growth – Check for root bound, pests and watering issues. Fertilize and move to better light.
Adjusting the light is usually the first step to get your syngonium thriving once again. Consistent conditions are key for healthy growth.
Providing the right amount of bright, indirect sunlight is essential for syngonium’s health. Monitor your plant closely for signs it needs more or less light. Move it incrementally over weeks when transitioning to new light levels. Adequate brightness, without scorching full sun, keeps syngonium looking its best while supporting vigorous new growth. With a little vigilance and care in providing optimal lighting, this versatile tropical plant will amply reward you with its bold foliage.
What is the Best Potting Mix for a Syngonium?
You can grow your Syngonium both in a soil mix or hydroponically.
Arrowhead plants do best in potting mix that is rich but drains quickly. Syngonium plants do best in potting mix that is rich but drains quickly. Most arrowhead plants do best in an aroid potting mix that drains well but keeps enough water for the roots. If you don’ feel like getting dirty, your Syngonium will love our aroid potting mix (link). Alternatively, here are two DIY potting mix recipes for a Syngonium:
- Equal parts bark, perlite and high-quality potting mix, or
- A mix of equal parts perlite, good potting mix, coconut coir, and cactus
Terracotta pots work also very well for Syngonium as they allow extra air around the root system of the plants. But bare in mind that if you opt to plant your arrowhead in a terracotta versus a plastic pot, the potting media will dry out considerably faster so make sure to check the moisture level regularly.
Yes, you can grow Syngonium in hydroponics. If you want to try growing your Syngonium without soil, you have a few choices. Arrowhead plants can be grown with easy hydroponically, i. e. in water alone. For semi-hydro growing, LECA, pon, and sphagnum moss are also good choices. But these growing mediums don’t usually have any nutrients in them, so if you’re growing your Syngonium in hydro or semi-hydro, make sure you use the right fertilizer.
How Much Humidity Does a Syngonium Need?
Having a humidifier for a Syngonium is optional, not a must-have.
Arrowhead plants can quickly adapt to any environment, but if you want your plant to show you how quickly it can grow, you might want to keep the humidity around your Syngonium at about 65%. Also, higher humidity is good for them because these plants like it when it’s damp. Not drying out as quickly.
As a general advice, the best humidity levels for a Syngonium are between 50% and 75%. Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity in a room.
If you opt to keep your arrowhead plant in a more humid environment, ensure that there is also adequate air circulation around the plant to prevent nasty stuff like fungi and bacteria from finding their home on your Syngonium leaves. You can use any type of fan to increase the airflow around your Arrowhead plant. Ensuring that there is enough air movement close to your Syngonium will also prevent mold from forming on the surface of the soil, limit the chance of edema developing (watery spots on leaves), and will contribute to your plant’s overall well-being.
Another thing to mention is that even though Syngonium can be successfully acclimatized to pretty much any humidity situation, stability is important for them. Sudden drops or humidity highs can stress your Arrowhead plant. This could be especially problematic during winter when heaters are running to warm up a room. Protect your Syngonium from any direct exposure to heaters or wind. And if you notice that your Arrowhead is showing signs of low-humidity-related stress, for example, crispy brown edges on leaves and loss of vigor, consider treating your plant with a humidifier.
Syngonium COMPLETE Care Guide | How to Grow Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead plant
How much sunlight does a Syngonium need?
Direct sunlight exposure should be avoided, especially when it comes to variegated Syngonium, as the leaves might easily burn. How much light (PAR) does a Syngonium need? For optimal growth, the PPFD for Syngonium should be between 50-250 umol/m2/s with a lighting period of 12 to 14 hours daily.
Can Syngonium be kept in low light?
My Syngonium mottled is four feet away from a HUGE (patio doors) south-facing window but blocked by my Philodendron golden dragon. So there’s a lot of light, but it’s filtered through another plant. It is possible to keep Syngonium in low light, but the leaves will be small and the plant will be leggy.
How much humidity does Syngonium need?
Humidity levels of around 65% will ensure that leaves emerge intact, with no rips or deformed leaf lobes (low humidity can cause very strange leaf shapes in variegated Syngonium). However, Syngonium can acclimate to humidity levels of around 40% and grow perfectly well.
How big should a Syngonium plant be?
If you’re looking for more of a compact plant, simply trim off those trailing stems. Syngonium plants are a versatile house plant that can be trained to either bush up by regular pruning or can be left to trail as a large vine. The typical full grown size of a these indoor plants when kept as a trained vine is around 1.8m/ 6ft in length.