Plant Care Guides / Indoor / Moderate Care
The arrowhead plant starts out as a compact, bushy little plant with neat arrow-shaped leaves, then as it matures it develops a trailing or climbing habit and the leaf shape changes, becoming more lobed and complex. It is a versatile plant that works on a shelf, in a hanging basket, or trained up a moss pole. This covers all the popular varieties: Pixie, Robusta, Confetti, Silver Butterfly and Black Velvet, which all need the same care.
Syngoniums are closely related to philodendrons and grow in a similar way. If you want to keep it compact and bushy, pinch out the growing tips. If you want it to trail or climb, let it go. The sap can irritate skin, so wash your hands after handling or pruning.
Bright, indirect light. The variegated and lighter-coloured forms (Confetti, Silver Butterfly) need more light to hold their patterns. Green forms cope in medium light. Avoid direct sun, which scorches the leaves, and dark corners, where it gets leggy fast.
Keep the soil lightly moist through the growing season, but not soggy. Let the top couple of centimetres dry out between waterings. In winter, ease off. It appreciates higher humidity than many houseplants, so mist it regularly or group it with other plants. Brown, crispy leaf edges are usually a humidity complaint.
Feed every two to three weeks through spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength. Stop in winter.
Repot annually in spring when roots fill the pot. Use a well-draining potting mix with some perlite. It is a fast grower when happy, so do not be surprised if it needs a bigger pot each year.
Ask about availability. We keep a changing range of indoor plants. WhatsApp us to see what is in store, or pop in and we will help you choose.
