Plants
Arrowhead plant care: light, water & problems
Scientific name: Syngonium podophyllum · Common name: Arrowhead plant
Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum): medium to bright indirect light. Regular watering once the top inch of mix has dried.
Editorial revision:
Care at a glance
Light
Medium to bright indirect light. Direct sun bleaches and scorches foliage; pink and cream varieties need good light to keep bright tones.
Watering
Regular watering once the top inch of mix has dried. Forgiving of minor lapses, but resents sitting in soggy, airless soil.
Conditions vary with pot, season and location. Always check the mix and your plant's response.
How to identify it
Versatile climbing or bushy aroid featuring juvenile arrow-shaped leaves in shades of bright green, silver-cream, or dusty pink.
Environment and placement
Warm household temperatures (18-24 °C / 65-75 °F) with moderate to high humidity. Thrives when given a moss pole to climb.
Your living Arrowhead plant in your pocket
In the Grovia mobile app, every species comes with an interactive 3D digital twin that thrives as you care for it. Track waterings, get smart light alerts, and watch your plant grow in your pocket garden.
Potting mix and feeding
Use an airy, draining mix and a pot with drainage holes. Match pot size to the root ball so excess mix does not remain wet.
Feed only during active growth and follow the product label. Correct damaged roots or poor light before fertilising.
Problems to check
Brown, crispy leaf edges from low room humidity; yellowing foliage and root rot caused by chronic overwatering.
Specialized diagnostic guide
How to assess yellow leaves
Cats and dogs
ASPCA lists this species as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it; contact a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.
ASPCACommon question
Why do arrowhead plant leaves change shape as they mature?
Syngonium exhibits heterophylly: juvenile leaves are simple arrowheads, while mature climbing foliage divides into 3 to 5 distinct leaflets.
Botanical source
Related species
