How to Take Care of Your Syngonium (Arrowhead) Plant

Syngoniums, also known as the arrowhead plants, are known for their colorful arrow-shaped foliage. This houseplant can be displayed in hanging baskets as it vines down, wide planters to accommodate its juvenile shrub form, or added to a trellis or support structures to add a touch of natural beauty to any indoor setting.

While they all have the signature arrow-shaped leaves, the Syngonium’s foliage can come in a variety of colors, ranging from greens like in the variegated Starlight or pastel Moonshine to shades of pink like the Neon Pink or Pink Perfection. Some, like the Red Arrow, have different colors on the top versus the bottom of the leaf like the Calathea (Prayer Plants). 

Most varieties of Syngonium are easy to care for and perfect for beginners, such as the Moonshine or White Butterfly, while others require more experienced hands, like the Wendlandii. Generally, the lighter varieties or those with variegations need closer attention, as improper lighting can cause them to lose their unique coloring and become more green. 

Pro-tip: If you notice the pink or red variegation turning green, your Arrowhead isn’t getting enough sunlight and is producing more chlorophyll to account for it. Move it to a position with more indirect sunlight.

If you’re looking for instructions on how to take care of your Syngonium, or noticed the colors of the leaves have become less vibrant or drooping, we’re ready to help! This guide will walk you through how to care for Arrowhead vines, including watering, sunlight, and diagnosing common issues.

The Syngonium Arrowhead plant is a tropical aroid plant in the Araceae family native to the regions of South and Central America, including Belize, Brazil, Mexico, and the southern parts of the United States. They are typically found in lower altitudes with high rainfall and warmth year-round. Mimicking their tropical homes, Syngonium plants thrive in warm, humid environments and will quickly die if exposed to cooler conditions under 50F. 

This tropical perennial spreads along the forest floor or clings to tree trunks with its adventitious aerial roots, soaking up indirect light through the trees. In their natural habitats, these epiphytes can grow over 10 feet, providing coverage and serving as a ladder for smaller creatures to climb trees. Due to requiring moderate to high humidity, most plant lovers keep the American evergreen indoors as a houseplant, where this hardy, fast grower can range from 1 to 6 feet tall. 

Fun fact: Nephthytis was a common name for the Syngonium Arrowhead plant, but now exists as an independent genus for multiple species of aroid plants native to Africa.

The Syngnonium can be classified as a shrub or a vine based on its growth conditions and age. Juvenile plants typically resemble shrubs, characterized by upright leaves and stems. As the plant grows, it becomes more vine-like, and if outdoors, it will climb any available surface. 

The Syngonium leaves in the juvenile stage appear more like a heart with 3 lobes, and as the arrowhead matures, the leaves elongate and become narrower with 5 to 7 lobes. If allowed to grow as a vine on a trellis or in nature the mature leaves form pedates (feet) with 5 to 11 leaflets. That’s why identifying them can be tricky, so here are the specifications to help you know if your houseplant is a Syngonium so you can care for it properly.

Whether in its juvenile or mature form, this aroid is easy to care for due to its tolerance for a few missed watering sessions, stress, and non-ideal lighting conditions. These hardy plants only require repotting every few years, and can grow to maturity with minimal help. By following the instructions below, you can achieve the goal of a healthy, vibrant plant. 

Pro Tip: Both Philodendron and Syngonium are tropical aroid plants sharing similar water, humidity, and temperature needs. If you already have thriving Philodendrons, the Syngonium will also flourish and can be grouped to increase humidity.

Water your Syngonium about 1-2 times a week when the top few inches of potting mix are dry. Arrowheads prefer to be kept in consistently moist soil, but are susceptible to root rot if overwatered and left in soggy soil, so don’t overdo it. Every few days feel the top few inches of the soil, and once it feels dry to the touch, it is time to water your Arrowhead again.

The Arrowhead prefers to be in bright, ambient sunlight like the dappled light that filters through the treetops at least 4 -6 hours a day. While these plants should receive no more than 2 hours of direct sunlight a day, they should not be placed in the shade. 

These houseplants thrive when placed by a window that receives no direct sun throughout the day, or by a window where the light is filtered using a gauze curtain or shade cloth. An east-facing window ensures only gentle morning sunlight with indirect light during the day and avoids the harsher afternoon sun providing a near perfect solution.

The Syngonium prefers room humidity around 40-60%. To monitor and maintain humidity levels, try a humidifier with a built-in humidistat in the room. Plant groupings or a pebble tray with water under the pot can also increase humidity. Rooms like your kitchen or bathroom also naturally have higher humidity and could benefit from nature's air purifiers. 

The ideal temperature to promote growth ranges from 60F to 85F (15-30C). In temperatures below 50F the plant may go dormant or into shock as they lack the ability to adapt to colder temperatures.

Pro-tip: If your Arrowhead is producing a lot of naked stems or smaller leaves, this could indicate you need to increase the temperature.

The Syngoniums iconic arrow shaped leaves changing shape or color and drooping stems can be your first indicator of suboptimal growth conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of illness in Arrowhead plants along with steps to treat them.

If your Syngonium’s leaves refuse to unfurl, the issue is likely linked to underwatering or low humidity just like how the skin on your fingers shrivel and wrinkle when dehydrated. Correcting your watering habits by increasing their frequency or the amount used and increasing the humidity should solve the issue.

If the leaves begin to look yellow along the edges, try reducing the frequency of watering. Check the top few inches of your potting mix to make sure it isn’t waterlogged or too dry. 

If the leaves are curling inwards and turning yellow or brown, along with drooping stems, check if the soil is too dry. Water the soil until it feels damp but not wet, and water begins draining from the bottom of the pot. Then keep a close watch on whether the leaves recover or prune the discolored leaves. Older leaves also naturally start to turn yellow and can be pruned to promote new growth. 

If the leaves start to appear more green, the issue is dim lighting and the plant needs to be moved closer to a window with brighter lighting. Arrowheads like the “Neon Pink” will become more green as they produce more chlorophyll to increase their efficiency in absorbing light to compensate for the decrease in availability. 

If the leaves appear to be losing color or pale, the issue is too much direct light causing the leaf color to fade because it produces less chlorophyll as a protective mechanism. Move the plant out of direct sunlight, ensuring you’re not placing it near an air conditioner or heater.

Arrowheads love bright light, but only indirectly as direct light for more than 2 hours can cause colors to fade or worse sun and leaf burn where the leaves start to turn brown along the edges. 

If you notice these signs try:

1. Move the pot to another position with only indirect light exposure

2. Prune any leaves that appear mostly brown/badly damaged to help the plant focus on new growth

3. Ensure potting mix remains adequately watered

Remember that many Arrowhead leaves are variegated with spots of whites or cream. These spots are normal and may change patterns as the leaves mature.

Syngoniums have adventitious roots, making them prone to root rot if left in soggy soil which fills the air pockets in the pot promoting fungal and bacterial growth. One of your first clues will be mushy feeling lower stems and curled leaves as well as an unpleasant smell. 

If you suspect root rot, remove your plant from the pot and follow the steps below:

1. Trim any rotting or dead roots with sharp, sanitized shears. If it is discolored, smells or feels squishy, trim! 

2. Treat the roots with a hydrogen peroxide solution (3 parts water to 1 part peroxide) or plant-safe fungicide to make sure all bacteria and other potential threats are washed away. 

3. Re-pot the Syngonium in a well-draining potting mix and ensure that there are holes in the bottom of the pot to allow for proper drainage.

If you’re having continued issues with root rot you can try switching to growing your Syngonium in a vase filled with filtered or bottled water instead. Growing in water allows the plant to use the water as an oxygen source, and you can actively monitor the condition of the roots through the glass. Change the water at least once a week to replenish oxygen or sooner if it becomes murky, cloudy, or grows algae.

Arrowhead plants need well-draining aerated potting mix, so look for one with lots of chunky media like perlite, peat moss and tree bark. Our signature blend, Dirt Bag, is designed specifically for aroids like the Arrowhead that are susceptible to root rot if left in soggy soil. 

During the spring and summer months when your plant is growing add a balanced liquid fertilizer or plant food into your waterings once a month (about every 4-6 weeks). This keeps your Syngonium well-fed as it adds leaves and the stems become vines during the maturation process.

There’s no shortage of species when it comes to Syngonium, so here are a few staff favorites if you’re looking to add one or ten to your collection.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘White Butterfly’
A classic variety with pale green leaves and soft white centers that resemble butterfly wings. It’s easy to grow and ideal for beginners looking to add soft color and texture to their space. Its upright growth turns vining with time.

Syngonium ‘Milk Confetti’ 
A collector favorite with creamy leaves splashed with soft pink and green variegation. Milk Confetti has a delicate, marbled appearance that stands out in bright, indirect light. Best suited for growers who enjoy unique foliage and have a stable indoor environment.

Syngonium ‘Neon Robusta’
This pink-toned variety has rosy, heart-shaped leaves that add warmth and brightness to any space. It’s compact and bushy when young but will begin to trail or climb over time. Great for colorful shelf styling or gifting.

Syngonium ‘Mojito’
Known for its unpredictable green-on-green mottled variegation, Mojito offers bold texture with each leaf. No two are alike, and mature leaves often develop deeper lobes. It climbs well with support and thrives in moderate to bright indirect light.

Syngonium ‘Three Kings’ (Rare)
A rare cultivar with broad leaves marbled in shades of green, mint, and white. Three Kings grows quickly and can become a statement plant when allowed to climb. It does best in bright, filtered light to maintain its striking variegation.

Syngonium ‘Confetti Tricolor’
This hybrid combines shades of green, white, and pink in a splashy, confetti-like pattern. The tri-color foliage makes it a fun, expressive addition to any collection. It’s adaptable but prefers steady humidity and moderate light for the best color.

Syngonium ‘Green Gold’
With bright golden-green leaves and a bushy habit, this variety adds fresh energy to darker spaces. It’s very low-maintenance and perfect for new plant parents or offices with indirect light. Easy to train on a trellis or left to trail naturally.