Syngonium podophyllum (Arrowhead vine, Foliage Plant)
Posted: October 26th, 2013, 11:19 pm
This plant closely resembles our common "caladium" with its beautiful variegated foliage. Syngonium has become a common foiage plnat in Pakistani households. This plant has an unusual feature of changing its leaf shape with maturity. The young leaves, which look like arrow heads, change to glossy leaflets as seen in the last picture in an adult or old plant.
This phenomenon is known as ontogeny and is similar to humans features e.g. a child's vs. an adult's face.
A pink variety of Syngonium was also seen in Karachi...however the pink variety is difficult to maintain in terms its colour.
Dropped or shriveled leaves? Arrowheads are always growing new leaves, but may drop them if the plant gets too dry. Cut off dry, shriveled leaves and aim to keep the potting mix lightly moist at all times
Origin: South America
Height: Newer compact varieties grow to 2 ft (60 cm), some varieties climb to 4 ft (1.2 m) or more.
Light: Bright light, but no direct sun. Can tolerate low light, but the leaves may lose their variegation. Turn pot regularly for even growth.
Water: Keep the potting mix moist in summer, allowing the surface to dry out before watering again. Water less often in winter, letting the top half of the potting mix dry out.
Humidity: Average room humidity.
Temperature: Normal room temperatures. 60-75°F/16-24°C
Soil: Any good potting mix. Use a container with good drainage.
Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks from spring through fall with a balanced house plant fertilizer diluted to half the normal strength. In winter, feed monthly.
Pruning tip: To keep arrowhead plant bushy and full, prune out the older, climbing stems as they grow. Cut them back in early summer and you can propagate the stem tip cuttings.
Photocredit: M. Munir / Hamad Kisana
This phenomenon is known as ontogeny and is similar to humans features e.g. a child's vs. an adult's face.
A pink variety of Syngonium was also seen in Karachi...however the pink variety is difficult to maintain in terms its colour.
Dropped or shriveled leaves? Arrowheads are always growing new leaves, but may drop them if the plant gets too dry. Cut off dry, shriveled leaves and aim to keep the potting mix lightly moist at all times
Origin: South America
Height: Newer compact varieties grow to 2 ft (60 cm), some varieties climb to 4 ft (1.2 m) or more.
Light: Bright light, but no direct sun. Can tolerate low light, but the leaves may lose their variegation. Turn pot regularly for even growth.
Water: Keep the potting mix moist in summer, allowing the surface to dry out before watering again. Water less often in winter, letting the top half of the potting mix dry out.
Humidity: Average room humidity.
Temperature: Normal room temperatures. 60-75°F/16-24°C
Soil: Any good potting mix. Use a container with good drainage.
Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks from spring through fall with a balanced house plant fertilizer diluted to half the normal strength. In winter, feed monthly.
Pruning tip: To keep arrowhead plant bushy and full, prune out the older, climbing stems as they grow. Cut them back in early summer and you can propagate the stem tip cuttings.
Photocredit: M. Munir / Hamad Kisana
