Arrowhead Plant

Syngonium podophyllum, also called Arrowhead vine, Nephthytis

Light: Low light to bright, indirect light. Best spot: close to a bright window but out of the sun's direct rays.
Water: Water when the top of the mix is dry
Humidity: Does better with extra humidity
Temperature: Keep it above 65°F
Potting mix: An indoor potting mix with good drainage
Size: Dwarf kinds under 2 feet; common kinds 3 to 6 feet
Pets: Toxic to pets

How to care for an arrowhead plant

Tolerates low light but prefers medium to bright, indirect light, such as an east window or a few feet back from a west one; direct sun burns or bleaches the leaves. Variegated kinds need the brighter end to keep their color. Let the mix dry slightly between waterings. It likes 65 to 75°F and humidity of 50% or more, but tolerates ordinary home air. Feed lightly, once a month at a reduced rate in spring and summer. Young plants stay bushy; older ones start to vine and can climb a moss pole, or you can cut the long stems back to keep it compact.

Common problems

Leaves reverting to plain green means it needs more light. Aphids, mealybugs and spider mites; bacterial blight, bacterial leaf spot and stem rot.

Questions people ask

How much light does an arrowhead plant need?

Low light to bright, indirect light. Best spot: close to a bright window but out of the sun's direct rays.

How often should I water an arrowhead plant?

Water when the top of the mix is dry.

Is arrowhead plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Toxic to dogs, cats and horses (listed as Nephthytis): mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.

Sources

← All house plants

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.