Syngonium podophyllum

RHS Plant Profile
arrowhead vine

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arrowhead vine RHS

Other common names

African evergreen, nephthytis

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Conservatory Greenhouse Climber Wall Shrub
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An evergreen climber, to 2m tall, compact when young with large arrow-shaped leaves veined and suffused with silvery-white; adult leaves are divided into 5-11 finger-like leaflets. Arum-like flowerheads with cream spathes may be seen in summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Syngonium are evergreen climbers with aerial roots, grown for their large, ovate to arrow-shaped leaves, becoming pedately-lobed on mature plants; arum-like flowerheads with cream, green or purple spathes, are seldom produced in cultivation
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in houseplant compost in bright indirect light for green leaved cultivars and bright filtered light for variegated cultivars. Plants require a minimum winter temperature of 15°C. Water freely when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every three or four weeks. In the winter water more sparingly

Propagation

Propagate from softwood stem tip cuttings and leaf bud cuttings in summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Plants may be reduced in height where necessary in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free