Friday 24 October 2008

GARDENING: EASY CARE INDOOR PLANTS – SYNGONIUM OR ARROWHEAD PLANT


Currently I have around 6 different varieties of Syngonium and it is one of my favourite plants as it is so easy to grow and quite hassle free. I just love the variegation in the foliage and their colours.


The other good thing about this plant is you can either grow it in soil or in water. The plant is not ‘shocked’ easily so you can easily change its position around the house. What I mean by ‘shocked’ is that some plants do not like to be shifted once they have settled in a position. They can go into shock and wither when you change their ‘home’, until they get acclimatised again.


Tip: I usually grow most of my plants in plastic pots. I then have a variety of pretty containers such as porcelain and brass pots and change my plants around the house according to seasons, light levels or just to change the décor. This way, you are not restricted to the same plant in the same position.


FYI, Syngonium is a genus of 33 species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical rain forests in Central and South America. They are woody vines growing to heights of 10-20 m or more in trees. They have leaves that change shape according to the plant's stage of growth, and adult leaf forms are often much more lobed than the juvenile forms usually seen on small house plants.

Syngonium species are often grown as house plants in the juvenile foliage stages.


Quick reference guide:
 There are several variegated cultivars, the main differences being in the position and extent of the cream or white markings. Some leaves are almost entirely white, pink or yellow. All parts of the plant are poisonous and cause severe mouth pain if eaten.
 For successful growth, a winter minimum temperature 16 °C to 18 °C must be maintained, rising to 20 °C to 30 °C during the growing season.
 They require high humidity, including misting the leaves regularly, and good light, but not direct sunlight; they will tolerate low light levels. Water freely from spring to autumn, sparingly in winter.
 Feed regularly in spring and summer.
 If juvenile foliage is preferred, cut off all the climbing stems that develop — the plant will remain bushy, rather than climb, and the leaves will be more arrow-shaped.
 Re-pot every second spring.
 Propagation is by cuttings or air layering. I normally just cut pieces near the tip of the plant, allowing provisions of some aerial roots and sticking it into water until it takes root completely. I also grow them in water permanently (see picture below).

11 comments:

Unknown said...

wow... looks really nice... ur collections is really nice.. my hobby is gardening.. i love ...

VG said...

Hi Priya

It seems we share the same passion. I wish I was a FT housewife - I'd spent all day in the garden!

Jan said...

Your plants are looking good!

Pushpa Soh said...

You seems to have plants all over your house. Its very calming especially when you come back from work and just gaze at it.I too love plants and have some indoor plants but the problem is it attracts mosquitoes. Hubby complains cos whenever we shop at Ikea, I will definately come back with a plant or two. Wonder if there are anyone who hates plants.

Anonymous said...

Nice Arrowheads. I have only one type and it perch at the edge of helicornia pot "tumpang". Love the brass pot, can I find it in Indian shops in Malaysia ?

Usha said...

Great collection of plants...

VG said...

Thank you Jan and Pushpa.

You are right Pushpa, I have plants all over the house except the bedrooms. And it is very calming. Like my dog, they don't give me cheek! How can you not love them???

Like you, whenever I go to Bunnings (humongeous DIY store; we don't have Ikea in Canberra, only in Sydney) I always bring back an orphan, as I call it! Everytime we move, I wow not to buy any more plants. That only lasts a few months, then I am off to find me more orphans!

Mosquitoes? Make sure you empty your container plates after watering. I had to do this all the time when I was in Malaysia. Also you can buy a powder to put in the saucers to stop mosquitoes breeding. Hope this helps.

VG said...

Hi Hong and Usha. Thank you for your comments.

Hong, not sure where you can get the pots in KL. Maybe at Indian shops selling saris and stuff.

My mum and grandma used to buy brass ware from a travelling Pakistani guy who used to set up his van at the sikh temple grounds when there were prayer seesions at the temple.

I got all of mine at flea markets, or rather trash and treasure markets as we call them here. I never paid more than $5 for them. Do you have flea markets in Malaysia? I never came across one when I lived there but then, I was too young to be interested!

Pushpa Soh said...

Thanks for your generous advice. I have the powder but I sprinkle around the plant, now I will put some on the saucer. There is a flea market at Amcorp Mall, PJ every Sunday. You can see quite a number of collectable items but you must go early cos there will be a lot of bargain hunters and regulars. Hope this helps.

VG said...

No worries Pushpa and thanks for the info.

Did you get that HK????

Anonymous said...

Sorry been away from KL last week. Yes got it. Thanks Vin and Pushpa. Amcorp mall is quite near, will check out, and Indian shops too.