Syngoniums (pronounced sin-go-nee-umz) are such interesting indoor plants they have earned several fun common names, including Arrowhead plants, Five-fingers, Nephthys (after the Egyptian & Greek mythological figure Nephthys, sister of Osiris)  and Goosefoot. Some common names refer to the shape of the leaves at different stages of development. Grown as houseplants since at least 1881, they are closely related to the philodendron. Though the ancestors of these lovely plants from tropical Mexico and Central America were mostly plain green, there are new varieties with subtle shades of bronze and pink  blushing onto the leaf blade from the region of the stem. Syngoniums look great grown alone or can add character to a mixed planting. They even make a good substitute for caladiums in the summer garden. Arrowhead plants will spill out of a hanging basket when they are young or climb a pole as they mature. As they mature the arrowhead shape of the leaves changes and lobes develop at the base of the leaves. The older the plant is, the more lobes the full-sized leaves will have. All green Syngoniums will tolerate medium to low light, but the variegated ones will lose their markings unless they have bright light or filtered sun. None of them likes to be exposed directly to the sun. Because the sap from Syngonium is an irritant, it will appear on lists of poisonous plants.

Tips for Growing Syngoniums
What are the light requirements for Syngoniums? The heavily variegated varieties need bright, filtered light. Those that have less variegation or are solid green will do well with average light.
How much water do they need? Syngoniums should be allowed to dry at the soil surface between waterings. Always check to make sure the soil mass is dry, not just the surface. They don't like to be kept wet.
Do they have any special temperature requirements? They are happy with ordinary indoor temperatures. Syngoniums preferred range is between 60ºF and 75ºF but they tolerate a much wider range.
Do Syngoniums need much humidity? They like it more humid than the average Minnesota home in winter. Mist them daily or stand the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water almost up to the top of the pebbles.
How much fertilizer do Syngoniums require? They need a balanced liquid or water soluble fertilizer such as Bachman's Excel Gro™ or Schultz's Instant Plant Food every two to three weeks during the spring and summer growing season. Since they do not often flower, dilute it to half the recommended strength.
What type of soil do they prefer? Use a good potting soil containing both loam and peat,  like Bachman's Exceloam.
When should I repot my Syngonium? Repot Syngoniums each spring. If they grow so rapidly that roots are visible at the plant base by mid-summer, repot them again.
Will they need any grooming? Give the plant a shower if the leaves become dusty, but don't use leafshine products on them: they will cause leaf damage.
How are they propagated? Syngoniums can be propagated by stem cuttings or division of the plant.

Troubleshooting Problems with Syngoniums
The leaves on my arrowhead plant are very pale, almost transparent. Why? Your Syngonium needs feeding. Give it half-strength houseplant fertilizer every two to three weeks during the growing seasons of spring and summer. It usually doesn't need fertilizer in fall and winter unless it was not fed earlier.
What causes the plant to become straggly, with wide spaces between leaves. These are the symptoms of too little light. Move it closer to a window. The more variegation the leaves have the more light the plant needs to look its best. Be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight or the leaves will scorch.
There are brittle, brown, dry leaves on the plant. What is happening? The plant is too hot and dry. If possible, move it to a cooler place and try to raise the humidity. Be sure to check for spider mites; they take advantage of hot, dry conditions.
My arrowhead has become droopy and leaves are curling and browning at the edges. Why? The plant may be too cold and wet or in a draft. Move it to a warmer, draft-free place and only water it when the soil is slightly dry (not just the surface of the soil)
I put my arrowhead out for the summer and the leaves look bleached. Is it all right? The damage is caused by direct sun and is called sunburn. It happens when plants that are used to low light intensity are suddenly exposed to the sun. Move the plant to a shadier location and trim off the damaged leaves. Once leaves have become scorched, they don't recover and the plant must replace them with new leaves to regain its good appearance.
When the leaves have webs underneath and they are pale and dull-looking, what is the problem? This sounds like a spider mite infestation. Syngoniums are very susceptible to them. Give the plant a shower and then spray it with insecticidal soap, particularly the undersides of the leaves. Since these pests take advantage of hot, dry conditions, try to lower the temperature and provide more humidity to discourage the mites. Just keeping the dust off the leaves will help. Sometimes additional treatments may be needed after a week or two.

Additional Bachman's Information Sheets
General Care for Indoor Plants
Moving Plants In and Out
Potting Indoor Plants
Propagation of Indoor Plants
Signs of Trouble with Indoor Plants
Watering Basics for Indoor Plants
Indoor Insect and Disease Problems 
Variations of Green

Recommended Products
Bachman's Excel Gro™
Bachman's Exceloam
Containers, Saucers and Hanging Baskets

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