How to Grow and Care for Arrowhead Vine

The arrowhead plant is a fast-growing trailing or climbing vine. The simple arrow-shaped leaves vary in hue depending on their age, ranging from dark green and white to lime green and bright pink. Arrowhead vine grows best as a houseplant in bright, indirect light, well-draining potting soil, and warm, humid conditions. The vine is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

Common Name	Arrowhead vine
Botanical Name	Syngonium podophyllum
Family	Araceae
Plant Type	Vine
Mature Size	3–6 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Moist, but well-drained
Soil pH	Neutral, acidic
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	10–12 (USDA)
Native Area	South America, Mexico
Toxicity	Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses

Arrowhead Vine Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing arrowhead vine:

• Keep the plant in bright but diffused light.
• Plant in well-draining potting soil to avoid root rot.
• Let the plant dry out between waterings.
• Situate arrowhead vine in a humid room, such as a bathroom or kitchen.
• Train arrowhead vine up a pole or moss stick. Alternately, pinch new growth to maintain the young plant's upright stems and bushier growth.
  

Light

Arrowhead vine likes bright light but no direct sun. Diffused light is best, as harsh rays can burn or bleach the delicate leaves and vines. Variegated colorways can handle a bit more direct sun, while deeper green varieties are better adapted to partial shade.

Soil

Plant your arrowhead vine in a traditional soil-based potting mix. Arrowhead vines are prone to root rot, so you'll want to make sure whichever potting soil you choose is well-draining.

Water

Water your arrowhead vine regularly during the spring and summer months, and reduce your watering cadence come winter. During the spring and summer, allow your vine to dry out partially between waterings but never completely. Likewise, the plant should not be kept too wet, either.

Temperature and Humidity

True to its tropical nature, the arrowhead vine prefers warm and humid conditions. If possible, maintain temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. While the plant tolerates average humidity, it will thrive best with added moisture in the air. Consider keeping your plant somewhere in your home with naturally higher humidity (such as a kitchen or bathroom), or utilize a method of increasing the humidity, such as adding a portable humidifier to the room or making a pebble tray.

Fertilizer

Feed your arrowhead vine once a month with liquid fertilizer throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, following product label instructions. You can halt feeding throughout winter when the plant will naturally slow its growth.

Types of Arrowhead Vine

A wide selection of arrowhead cultivars offers stunning foliage colors and patterns. Here are just a few of the most popular cultivars:

• 'Bold Allusion': Large leaves are tinted with light green and baby pink.
• 'Cream Allusion': Foliage presents with light green, creamy centers, and pinkish veins.
• 'Exotic Allusion': The larger leaves of this arrowhead plant are pale green with cream venations.
• 'Pink Splash': This cultivar's leaves are bold, deep, bright hot pink on deeper green foliage.
• 'Gold Allusion': The vine offers large heart-shaped golden yellow leaves with pinkish veining.
• 'Snow White': This is a compact arrowhead vine. The green leaves have white speckles.
• 'Neon Robusta': This vine produces foliage with a shiny, dusky pink hue. 'Pink Allusion' and 'Strawberry Cream' are both similar to this vine with brighter pink-hued leaves.
• 'Mini Pixi': This newer type of arrowhead vine forms petite green and yellow leaves.

Propagating Arrowhead Vine

Arrowhead vine plants root readily from stem cuttings and can easily be propagated in the spring or summer months. To propagate arrowhead vine, take these steps.

1. Take a section of the stem with attached aerial roots to increase your odds of success. Use a sterilized snipping tool to take the cutting.
2. Place your cutting into a glass of water. New roots will begin to form within a few weeks.
3. Continue topping off the water periodically.
4. Wait at least a month until the roots have strengthened.
5. Plant the cutting into the soil as you normally would.

Potting and Repotting Arrowhead Vine

These plants are aggressive, rapid-growing vines, so the frequency of repotting depends somewhat on how big you want the vine to get. Repot yearly for a larger vine. Otherwise, refresh the potting media every spring and repot every other year to ensure the plant does not become root-bound. Additionally, consider planting your vine in a terra-cotta or clay vessel to wick away extra moisture from the soil.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Arrowhead vine is relatively resistant to pests but when the plant lives indoors, it is exposed to pests like spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scale. If you notice any of these afflictions, treat your plant immediately with neem oil or another natural solution.

Arrowhead plants are highly susceptible to root rot, caused by overwatering. Look for mushy lower stems to identify the problem. The plant may suffer from powdery mildew (whitish leaves) and brown fungal leaf spots, as well.Immediately remove these affected leaves from the plant to stop the spread of the disease.

Common Problems With Arrowhead Vine

This easy-going vine does best if left relatively alone. If you're concerned that your arrowhead vine looks a little off, here's what may be happening.

Turns Pale

If your arrowhead turns pale or yellowish color, the plant is receiving too much light. Move the plant to a spot that has less harsh, direct light.

Leaves Turn Brown

If the leaves of your arrowhead vine turn brown or begin to wilt, the plant may be underwatered.

Won't Bloom

Arrowhead vines are grown for foliage, not for their flowers. Arrowhead plants that grow in native tropical climates bloom, but rarely. An indoor arrowhead vine will likely never flower.

From: thespruce