Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-12. In St. Louis, it is easily grown is a houseplant in warm, humidified areas. Prefers bright indirect light. Protect from direct sun. May be grown on a moss pole or in a hanging basket. Water regularly during the growing season, but reduce watering from fall to late winter. Best grown in a soil based potting mix. Likes high humidity, so consider siting plant in a humidified room or place pot on a tray of wet pebbles.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Syngonium podophyllum, commonly called arrowhead vine, is native from Mexico to Ecuador. It is an evergreen climbing vine that typically grows to 3-6’ long. As a houseplant, it is typically grown for its attractive ornamental foliage which changes shape as the leaves mature. Juvenile leaves (to 5.5” long) are ovate with heart-shaped bases and sometimes with silver variegation. Leaves mature to arrow shape. Later leaves become pedate (to 14” long), each with 5-11 leaflets. Tiny green to greenish-white flowers on a spadix are surrounded by a greenish-white spathe (to 4.5” long). Flowers are born in groups in the leaf axils. Flowers give way to brown-black berries. Plants rarely flower in cultivation. Synonymous with Nephthytis triphylla.
Genus name comes form the Greek words syn meaning together and gone meaning reproductive organs for the united ovaries.
Specific epithet means with stout-stalked leaves.
Problems
Soft rot and bacterial leaf spot are possible diseases. Watch for mealybugs, aphids, scale and spider mites.
Uses
Good low-maintenance indoor plant. Hanging baskets or train on trellis or mossy growing pole. Also used an an annual in shady borders or mixed containers.