Syngonium wendlandii, the green and silver arrowhead
Syngonium wendlandii
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 12a (10°C ≤ T° < 12.8°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Araceae
- Genus
- Syngonium
- Species
- Syngonium wendlandii
Syngonium wendlandii belongs to the Araceae family. It grows in the rainforests of Central America, where it wraps itself around the trunks of tall trees. But there's no need to explore the jungles of Costa Rica and Mexico to admire its velvety, two-tone foliage. Syngonium wendlandii is now on show as an indoor plant.
How to recognize Syngonium wendlandii?
Syngonium wendlandii is a tropical vine with a climbing or drooping habit. Thanks to its aerial roots, it clings to other plants or to a stake to extend its branches. In the wild, this vine can grow up to 20 meters tall. Indoors and in pots, it grows to no more than one and a half meters.
The plant is almost stunted. It does, however, have long petioles (between ten and thirty centimetres) that support the leaves.
Velvety and dark green, they feature a white or silver stripe on the midrib. This contrast emphasizes the shape of the leaf blades. Broad at the base, they become pointed at the apex, resembling arrows. Younger specimens have three lobes, while adults have up to nine.
Syngonium wendlandii blooms in cloud forests. Its flowers are reminiscent of those of anthurium andraeanum and Syngonium erythrophyllum 'Red Arrow'. A green or whitish spathe with a round base and tapering tip encloses the white spadixes.
In popular belief, Syngonium wendlandii has a better reputation than syngonium podophyllum. In China, the plant brings good luck and is widely used in Feng Shui. But it remains toxic when touched or ingested. Keep it out of reach of greedy animals and curious children.
Our care tips
Syngoniums are easy-care plants. But beware: their sap is toxic. Wear gloves when handling them or wash your hands immediately afterwards.
Watering
Water when the soil is dry, for about three centimeters. Use room-temperature, non-calcareous water, preferably rainwater. When watering, avoid wetting the leaves.
Thirty minutes after watering, drain off any stagnant water in the saucer. It may rot the roots.
To improve humidity, place your Syngonium wendlandii with your other plants or place its pot on a dish of moist clay balls.
Misting
Spraying non-calcareous water on the underside and tops of foliage improves humidity, repels dust and repels pests.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Syngonium wendlandii to give it more space.
Obtain a pierced pot one size larger than the previous one. Preferably a terracotta model. This material facilitates water evaporation in the event of over-watering.
Pour in a bed of clay balls or gravel, followed by a layer of potting soil for green plants. You can mix in a little perlite to improve drainage.
Place your Syngonium wendlandii in the center and fill in with substrate to within two centimeters of the edge. If you want to give your plant a climbing habit, add a stake to support it.
To increase humidity, place the pot on a saucer filled with moist clay balls.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Syngonium wendlandii, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Dilute green plant fertilizer with water.
Cleaning
Remove dust that accumulates on the leaves with a clean, damp cloth.
Warning! The plant is toxic and can cause irritation. Wear gloves while cleaning and wash your hands after touching it.
Warning! The plant is toxic and can cause irritation. Wear gloves while cleaning and wash your hands after touching it.
Prune
You can shorten stems that are too long and bald. Simply cut them with a sharp instrument (pruning shears or scissors). Don't forget to disinfect the blades beforehand to prevent disease transmission.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Rhizome division requires digging up the plant. Carefully remove your Syngonium wendlandii from the ground and examine its root system.
Choose an offshoot with roots distinct from the main plant. It will be easier to remove. Separate it from the rest of the plant with your hands.
Choose an offshoot with roots distinct from the main plant. It will be easier to remove. Separate it from the rest of the plant with your hands.
To increase your chances of success, choose rhizomes with at least one leaf.
Place your cutting in a glass of water at room temperature. Change the water regularly to keep it clear.
Place your graft in a bright spot away from direct sunlight while the roots develop.
Place your graft in a bright spot away from direct sunlight while the roots develop.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Categories
- ClimberIndoorRhizomeHerbaceousHanging plants
- Tags
- BeginnerToxic
- Origins
- Central AmericaSouth America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 12a (10°C ≤ T° < 12.8°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenWhiteSilver
- Flower colors
- WhitePale greenCream
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