Syngonium · Syngonium podophyllum

You get an indoor foliage plant with young, arrow-shaped leaves. It does well in a bright spot without strong direct sunlight. Water when the top layer of soil dries out, and empty any water left in the saucer.

Botanical name: Syngonium podophyllum
Plant family: Araceae
Identification: Species
Growth and life cycle: You get an evergreen perennial with arrow-shaped young leaves. Over time, the stems grow longer and can trail or climb a support. Keep it away from children and pets who might chew it, as chewing causes irritation in the mouth.
Choosing a pot: Choose a pot with drainage holes. If the roots fill the current pot, move to one that is only slightly wider. If you use a decorative outer pot, make sure you can take out the inner pot and empty any collected water.
Light: Bright, indirect light
When to water: Check the potting mix with your finger at a depth of 2-3 cm. Water when this layer dries out but a little moisture remains deeper inside. Water until it flows out of the drainage holes, then empty the saucer or decorative outer pot. Drooping leaves and dry potting mix usually indicate thirst. Yellowing with potting mix that stays wet for a long time calls for checking for overwatering.
Potting mix and drainage: Choose an airy potting mix that holds a little moisture, with added perlite or bark to improve airflow. Make sure there are drainage holes and that water does not collect around the bottom of the pot.
Feeding: Fertilize when the plant is putting out new leaves and growing in good light, following the fertilizer instructions. When growth stops in winter, or the plant is suffering from dryness or too much water, hold off on fertilizing.
Pruning and tidying: Remove dried leaves and shorten long stems just above where a leaf joins the stem if you want a bushier plant. Leave healthy leaves in place, wipe off dust with a damp cloth, and wear gloves because the sap may irritate your skin.
The first few days at home: Remove the wrapping and check that water can drain out of the pot. Choose a bright spot without direct sunlight, and check the growing medium before watering. Keep the plant in its current pot as long as drainage is working and the roots are not clearly crowded.
What to watch for: If the leaf tips turn brown, check for a dry growing medium, air conditioner drafts, or fertilizer buildup. If pale spots and fine webs appear, check the undersides of the leaves for mites and keep the plant away from other plants for now.
Placement and climate: Indoors, choose a spot away from air conditioner drafts and hot glass. On a balcony, choose bright shade sheltered from summer sun and dry wind. In winter, protect the plant from prolonged rain and bring it indoors when nighttime temperatures drop below about 15 degrees.
Propagation: You can root a stem with at least one node in water or a moist growing medium. A node is the point where a leaf or aerial root grows. Wear gloves to avoid contact with the sap.
Around pets: We haven’t verified whether this plant is safe around pets. Ask us before choosing.
Care level: Easy to care for