Gardening Houseplants How to Care for Arrowhead Vine This houseplant thrives without much light, making it easy to grow. By Megan Hughes Megan Hughes Megan Hughes has a passion for plants that drives her to stay on top of the latest garden advancements and time-tested ways of growing great plants. She travels regularly to learn about new plants and technology and is closely connected to the innovation side of the horticulture industry. She has more than 25 years of experience in horticulture. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani is a gardening and food writer with more than two decades of hands-on gardening experience in vegetable and fruit gardening, landscaping with native plants, and garden design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on June 7, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Arrowhead Vine Care Pests and Problems Propagation Types FAQ Trending Videos Close this video player Arrowhead vine is a tropical plant that is native to Mexico and South America and commonly grows as a houseplant. It is valued for its special foliage and low maintenance. When the plant is in its juvenile stage, the leaves are heart-shaped and as it ages, the leaves become arrow-shaped. Every few weeks, the plant unfurls medium green leaves splashed with white, cream, silver, pink, or purple. Arrowhead vine can be grown vertically on a trellis, as a trailing plant from a hanging basket, or with regular pruning, as a more compact, bushy houseplant. Arrowhead vine is toxic to pets. Arrowhead Vine Overview Genus Name Syngonium podophyllum Common Name Arrowhead Vine Plant Type Houseplant Height 6 to 12 inches Width 6 to 36 inches Foliage Color Blue/Green, Purple/Burgundy Propagation Stem Cuttings Where to Plant Arrowhead Vine For a bushier plant, diffused light is best; low light will make arrowhead vine look sparse and leggy. A north- or east-facing window is ideal. Since this is a plant that likes higher humidity, consider placing your arrowhead vine in a well-lit kitchen or bathroom. Arrowhead Vine Care Tips Light Grow arrowhead vine in a spot with medium light. Rooms with east-facing windows and small windows usually provide plenty of light for this plant. A few hours of bright light are fine too. If your window faces south, set the plant back a few feet so the plant is not exposed to strong direct sunlight, which can be problematic especially during the summer. When left in direct sun too long, arrowhead vine develops sunburn, which appears as bleached areas on the leaves. Soil and Water Water arrowhead vine when the top layer of soil feels dry, then water slowly and deeply. The plant grows best in moist soil but languishes in soggy soil. In the winter, when the plant goes dormant and growth slows down, it will need less water. Temperature and Humidity This houseplant does best in temperatures between 60 and 85 F year-round with no extreme temperature fluctuations. It also likes high humidity so if the air in your home is very dry, there are several ways to raise the humidity around your plants. Fertilizer The plant generally does not need fertilizer but if growth slows down significantly, apply a slow-release houseplant fertilizer in the spring and once more in midsummer. For the amount to use, follow product label directions. Pruning Young arrowhead plants grow upright for several months before developing vining stems. If you would like the plant to maintain a full, bushy habit, cut back the vining stems to a length of 6 to 8 inches. This pruning as well as the removal of old, unsightly stems can be done at any time. If you let the stems grow, they will become a climbing vine for which you may want to add a trellis. Potting and Repotting Arrowhead Vine Plant arrowhead vine in a pot with large drainage holes and well-draining potting mix. If you are training the plant on a trellis, make sure that the pot can accommodate the base of the trellis. Arrowhead vine needs repotting when the root system fills the pot, about every two years. The best time for repotting is usually in the spring. Choose a new vessel one size larger than the current pot and fill it with fresh potting soil before transplanting the arrowhead vine to its new home. Pests and Problems Arrowhead vine is relatively unbothered by serious pests and diseases but indoors, it can get mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scale. If you see signs of these houseplant pests, isolate the plant promptly and treat the infestation before it can spread. How to Propagate Arrowhead Vine Arrowhead vine can be propagated from cuttings. In the spring or summer, take a 4-inch cutting from a healthy stem that shows some new growth. Remove all the bottom leaves so there are only a couple of leaves at the top. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder and insert it about halfway in a pot filled with damp potting soil. Keep it in a warm location away from direct sunlight (similar to the original plant). After a few weeks, when you see new growth and the stem does not wiggle when you gently tug on it, it has rooted. 23 of the Easiest Houseplants You Can Grow Types of Arrowhead Vine 'Berry Allusion' Arrowhead Vine Marty Baldwin This variety of Syngonium podophyllum' has arrowhead-shaped bronzy leaves with a wash of pink along veins and leaf margins. 'Painted Arrow' Arrowhead Vine William N. Hopkins The cultivar 'Painted Arrow' is a compact green and white form with abundant creamy variegation. 'White Butterfly' Arrowhead Vine Marty Baldwin In bright light, this cultivar turns nearly white. At lower light levels, it shows strong green and white variegation. Frequently Asked Questions Do arrowhead plants bloom? They bloom in the summer but that usually happens only in the plant’s natural habitat in South America and Mexico. Arrowhead vine rarely blooms when grown indoors. What is the best trellis for arrowhead plants? A popular choice for arrowhead vine is a stake or moss pole. The stems grow densely around the support and it’s a solution that also works well for small spaces. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Arrowhead Vine. ASPCA.