Arrowhead vine (syngonium) Syngonium podophyllum
Arrowhead vine (syngonium) (Syngonium podophyllum) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Araceae family, native to Tropical Mexico to Bolivia. It grows 50 cm–10 m (20 in–33 ft) tall and 50 cm–2 m (20 in–6.6 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Arrowhead vine (syngonium) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Arrowhead vine (syngonium) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Araceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–10 m (20 in–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–2 m (20 in–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical Mexico to Bolivia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇳 India |
| Invasive in | Florida, Hawaii, Queensland, many Pacific islands: check local rules before planting |
Is Arrowhead vine (syngonium) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, sap
Contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals: chewing it causes burning, swelling and drooling in people, cats and dogs; the sap can irritate skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Arrowhead vine (syngonium)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Arrowhead vine (syngonium)
- How far apart should I plant Arrowhead vine (syngonium)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–2 m (20 in–6.6 ft).
- Does Arrowhead vine (syngonium) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Arrowhead vine (syngonium) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Arrowhead vine (syngonium)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- Is Arrowhead vine (syngonium) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals: chewing it causes burning, swelling and drooling in people, cats and dogs; the sap can irritate skin.
- What grows well with Arrowhead vine (syngonium)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Arrowhead vine (syngonium). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- Young plants are bushy with arrow-shaped leaves, often pale green, cream or pink; mature stems climb trees and make deeply lobed leaves. Outdoors in the tropics it climbs and smothers forest trees.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Taro Colocasia esculenta
- Calla lily (arum lily) Zantedeschia aethiopica
- Caladium (angel wings) Caladium bicolor
- Lacy tree philodendron Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
- Swiss cheese plant Monstera deliciosa
- Giant taro (elephant ear) Alocasia macrorrhizos
- Flamingo flower Anthurium andraeanum
- Tannia (malanga, yautía, cocoyam) Xanthosoma sagittifolium