Arrowhead Plant – Goosefoot (Syngonium podophyllum): Plant Care and Growing Guide – House Plants Expert

The Goosefoot or Arrowhead plant is named so because of the arrow or goose feet shaped leaves when they’re juvenile.

Caring is an easy task for this species and they follow the same needs and have similar growth characteristics as a Philodendorn (from the same family – Araceae).

Description

Native to South America, this species of plant has various cultivars with different amounts of variegation, from entirely green to near white. They can be sold under the name Nephthytis podophyllum.

Foliage: An interesting growth pattern of the leaves is they begin cordate (heart) shaped then develop into the arrow shape and further on in age become palmate (similar shape to a hand). If you look hard enough, you can find the Albo version as shown below. Because the plant matures into a climbing vine it will need to be cut back to prevent growth from becoming wild and difficult to manage, indoors.

If you want, you can grow these on a moss stick or a type of trellis (support for the stems and direct growth) if you preferred it growing with its natural climbing nature. Growing on a moss stick or another support they can grow up to 6ft tall. Most growers will keep the Arrowhead plant as a small bushy plant and pinch out the stems and prune.

Flowering: Flowers seem to bloom more in their natural habitat and outdoors when the plant has matured. The flowers bloom within a spathe on a spadix similar to how a Peace lily and Philodendron plant does. If your pruning to keep the plant small and bushy flowers will not appear.

Poisonous to pets: It’s a good idea to keep your plant well away from cats and dogs. Although they are only mentioned to be mild to moderate in toxicity they will cause your pet to become unwell if ingested

Facts

Syngonium Podophyllum Care

Potential Problems

• Yellowing leaves: The most likely cause here is over or underwatering. This is easy to identify when you take a look at how water has been provided and if the soil is too wet or dry. If you do the opposite of what you have been doing the problem should go away and remove the yellowing leaves that look unhealthy.
• Dry brown leaf tips: This will be caused when the air is too dry and is easy to put right. Mist the leaves daily until they look better then mist every couple of days or so.
• Lack of growth: During the growing season this can occur when a plant lacks fertilizer (nutrients in the soil), not getting enough light, or overwatering. Check the care instructions above to eliminate what you are doing right to discover what you may not be providing the plant. Do not be concerned about no growth during the winter. Growth slows down or stops when the colder months descend upon us.

Elyssa Goins

Elyssa Goins is an experienced house plant hobbyist who maintains over a hundred plants. She is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mother of four.  She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has a published study in the National Social Science Association, and loves to talk about her love of plants.  For the past twenty years, she’s been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you.