Syngonium podophyllum, or the arrowhead plant, is also known as arrowhead vine and American evergreen. While it can be invasive and fast-spreading outdoors, it’s a beautiful and easygoing houseplant that would make a great addition to your collection!
This vining plant is native to the tropics of Central and South America and comes in several different colors such as dark green, light green, and even pink and red! Most varieties are variegated with two or more colors. The young plant starts off as little sprouts with smaller leaves, but the plant will vine and even climb as it gets older. (But you can easily trim it back to keep it bushy, if you like.)
The leaves of the young plant are arrow-shaped, which is where the plant gets its nickname, but as the plant grows, the newer leaves will be lobed with 3-5 sections.
Overall, this plant is lovely, easy to care for, and can add a nice pop of color and foliage to your space whether you grow it as a small bush, a hanging plant, or on a trellis.
Proper watering is crucial for keeping arrow plants healthy and thriving. As the proud owner of several arrow plants, I’ve learned through trial and error how to meet these beautiful plants’ hydration needs. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve discovered about watering arrow plants so you can master their care as well
Overview of Arrow Plants
Arrow plants, also known as syngoniums or nephthytis, are popular houseplants native to tropical rainforests in Central and South America With their distinctive arrow-shaped leaves and wide array of foliage colors, it’s easy to see why these plants are so beloved
As tropical plants, arrow plants prefer consistent moisture, high humidity, and warm temperatures. While they can adapt to indoor environments, recreating rainforest-like conditions as much as possible will keep them happiest.
When it comes to watering specifically there are a few key factors that affect arrow plants’ needs
- Soil Type: Well-draining soil that retains some moisture is ideal.
- Pot Size: Larger pots require more frequent watering than smaller ones.
- Humidity: Low humidity leads to faster soil drying.
- Temperature: Warmer temps cause moisture to evaporate faster.
- Light: Bright light leads to quicker soil drying.
By understanding these elements, we can determine the best watering regimen for our arrow plants’ specific conditions.
How Often to Water Arrow Plants
As a general guideline, arrow plants should be watered about once a week in spring and summer and every other week in fall and winter. However, you’ll need to adjust this schedule based on your plant’s environment.
The best way to know when your arrow plant needs water is to check its soil moisture. Stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil and if it’s dry, it’s time to water. I recommend watering when 50%-75% of the soil volume is dry.
During hot and sunny weather, my arrow plants need watering 2-3 times per week. But in cool winters, they can easily go 10-14 days without water. Your plant’s watering frequency will vary based on your home’s conditions.
Watering Technique
When watering your arrow plant, water thoroughly until liquid flows from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Allow any excess water to drain freely from the saucer underneath. Never allow your plant to sit in standing water, which can lead to root rot.
Always use room temperature water, free of chlorine and fluoride if possible. While arrow plants are forgiving, chlorinated tap water may damage their leaf tips if used long-term. Consider collecting rainwater or allowing tap water to sit out overnight before using.
Ideally, water your plant in the morning before the day warms up. This prevents water from evaporating immediately and allows the roots to hydrate fully.
Environmental Factors
As mentioned, your arrow plant’s water needs depend largely on its environment. Here are some key factors to consider:
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Light: Plants in bright, direct light need more frequent watering than those in low or indirect light. Rotate plants periodically to even out water needs.
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Heat: Warm rooms and hot outdoor conditions cause soil to dry out faster. Water more often in summer and when temperatures exceed 85°F.
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Humidity: Mist arrow plants daily or use a pebble tray to increase humidity around the plant. Higher humidity leads to less frequent watering.
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Soil Type: Add peat moss or perlite to soil to improve drainage. Denser soils retain more moisture.
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Air Flow: Avoid drafty areas which can dry plants faster. Opt for sheltered spots instead.
By optimizing these elements in your arrow plant’s environment, you can create the humid, tropics-like conditions it thrives in.
Signs of Underwatering
If you aren’t watering your arrow plant frequently enough, you may notice these signs of underwatering:
- Wilting or drooping leaves
- Brown, crispy leaf edges
- Stunted growth
- Leaf drop
- Dull, washed-out leaf color
Luckily, arrow plants are fairly resilient and can bounce back from temporary underwatering. At the first sign of any symptoms, give your plant a thorough, deep watering. This should perk it up within 12-24 hours.
If underwatering persists for a long time, it can lead to permanent damage or even death. So make sure to ramp up your watering regimen if you notice any of these issues.
Signs of Overwatering
While arrow plants love moisture, overwatering can be detrimental and lead to:
- Yellow, mushy leaves
- Leaf drop
- Slow growth
- Foul odor from rotting roots
To avoid overwatering, always check soil moisture before watering and never leave your plant sitting in water. Water less frequently in winter when growth has slowed.
If you suspect overwatering, avoid watering for 1-2 weeks to allow the soil to dry out fully. Remove any mushy or rotten roots and repot in fresh, dry soil if needed.
Tips for Healthy Watering
Follow these tips to master watering your arrow plant:
- Water when 50%-75% of soil is dry for most indoor conditions.
- Always check moisture before watering – don’t follow a calendar schedule.
- Water until it flows from drainage holes to ensure thorough hydration.
- Allow excess water to drain fully from pot and saucer after watering.
- Add peat, bark or perlite to improve drainage in dense potting mixes.
- Water in the morning so leaves stay dry at night.
- Increase humidity via misting and pebble trays to lengthen time between watering.
- Decrease watering frequency in winter when plant is less active.
- Use room temperature rainwater or filtered water if possible.
With some attentive care and monitoring of your plant and its environment, you can easily get a handle on how much watering your arrow plant needs to thrive indoors. Be prepared to make adjustments as needed with the change of seasons. With a little practice, you’ll have mastered the art of proper arrow plant hydration in no time!
Arrowhead Leaves Turning Brown
Like yellowing, browning leaves can have many causes. But you can use the process of elimination and look closely at the spots themselves to determine the cause.
If the spots are dark brown, soft, and/or accompanied by soft or squishy stems, your plant is probably severely overwatered and may have already developed root rot. If this is the case, act fast, because root rot can quickly kill your plant!
Unpot the plant and get as much of the old soil out of the roots as possible. Trim any mushy, smelly, or dark roots. Repot the plant in fresh soil and a clean pot and place it in a bright place. Go easy on the watering for a while, but when you do water, use our Root Supplement to help the roots heal. Avoid fertilizing for a month after treatment.
If the brown spots are light brown and crispy, your plant might be too dry. If the soil is dry, give the plant a good, thorough watering and remove the dead leaves.
Arrowhead Plant Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing leaves is one of the most common issues you might see on your arrowhead plant, and it can have a lot of different causes.
Watering issues are the most common culprit; both over- and underwatering can cause yellowing. To determine which it might be, check the soil with your finger or a moisture meter. If the soil is still wet a week after you watered, your plant might be overwatered. This is probably an issue with drainage and possibly insufficient light rather than actually watering your plant too much.
If the soil is bone-dry, your plant might need a drink!
Also, the placement of the yellow leaves matters. If the yellow leaves seem to be concentrated around the base of the plant and on older leaves, overwatering is a more likely problem. If leaves are yellowing all over the plant and even curling or developing crispy brown spots, your plant is probably thirsty.
The other most common cause of yellowing leaves is nutrient deficiency. If your plant is getting enough light and doesn’t seem to be over- or underwatered, think about the last time you fertilized or repotted. If it’s been a while, your plant might need nutrients!
Your plant’s leaves may curl if the plant is underwatered or if humidity is too low. First check the soil. If it’s bone-dry, water your plant! If the soil seems to be okay, try increasing humidity. Mist your plant each day, move it to a steamy bathroom, place it next to other plants, or set up a humidity tray or humidifier.
And, of course, make sure the plant isn’t near any vents that might be drying out the leaves with blasts of dry air!
Syngonium care – A comprehensive guide on growing Syngonium or Arrow Head plant
FAQ
How often should I water an Arrowhead Plant?
How often should you water plants guide?
Should I mist my Arrowhead Plant?
What should the moisture meter level be for Arrowhead Plant?
How often should you water an arrowhead plant?
When: As a rule of thumb, water your Arrowhead plant when the top inch of soil becomes dry. This usually means watering approximately once a week during the growing season (spring and summer) and reducing watering to every other week during the dormant season (fall and winter).
Do Arrowhead plants need to be watered?
When you’re trying to determine if you need to water your arrowhead plant, feel the soil. If the top inch of soil is dry, it’s time to water. If the soil is still moist, wait to water. Each time I water, I aim to drench the soil thoroughly. This ensures water reaches the bottom of the soil as well as the top.
How do you water an arrowhead plant?
This guide will tell you how to water an Arrowhead Plant; its light, temperature, humidity preferences and any additional care it might need to help it grow. Your Arrowhead Plant prefers bright indirect light but can adapt to low light. Direct sun may burn the leaves. Water when 50%-75% of the soil volume is dry.
How do you grow an arrowhead plant in a pot?
Fill the bottom few inches of the pot with potting soil. Remove the plant from its current pot, shake off any excess dirt, and place the plant in the new container. Place potting soil around the roots, pack lightly, and water well. Fortunately, arrowhead plants don’t experience too many pests or diseases.