If you would like a houseplant that is really easy to grow and that will grow fairly quickly, you should definitely find an arrowhead vine to bring home. I have always loved this particular houseplant. It is not only an easy-care plant, but the arrowhead vine is also easy to keep looking good through the winter months.
The arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophylluum) is a tropical vine that reminds many gardeners of some of the vining type of philodendrons. This plant, which was formerly included in the genus Nephthytis, starts out with smallish leaves that grow to be about 6 inches long and 4 inches wide while the plant is young. The leaves are deeply lobed, giving them the distinctive arrowhead shape. They have a leather-like texture and are a medium green with lighter green midriffs and veins. As the arrowhead vine matures, the leaves can get as large as 12 inches long and 5 inches wide.
The arrowhead vine prefers bright, indirect light; however, I have found that mine is able to tolerate less light during the winter months. The leaves are just not as deep a green color. In fact, the older, more mature leaves are a paler, almost silvery-green; although, the plant is still really pretty, full, and healthy looking.
You can grow the arrowhead vine as a hanging plant or in a large pot as a specimen. In addition, you can add a bark-covered stake on which it can climb. (Arrowhead vines develop air roots as they send out trailers.) Grow it in a good potting soil and feed about once a month using a good water-soluble fertilizer. Do not over water! You should allow the arrowhead vine to dry out between waterings.
The arrowhead vine is extremely easy to propagate. Simply take a cutting and place in water until roots develop. I have even left cuttings in vases of water for extended periods of time, and the arrowhead vine has started to grow longer.
The arrowhead vine is the ideal houseplant for those people who think they cannot grow anything. It can handle a certain amount of neglect and abuse. Actually, it probably prefers it. If you do happen to neglect it a bit too long, however, just give it a good pruning. It will perk up and soon be a nice full plant once again. If you notice that it is not performing as well as it did at first, you probably need to re-pot it. This plant can get rather large rather quickly and moving it to a larger pot will keep it happy. If that is not an option, simply divide it into smaller plants. Remove the entire plant from the pot and use a sharp knife to cut it into smaller sections. (You might consider giving one or two of these new sections as Christmas gifts.)
Arrowhead vines are usually available at most garden centers throughout the year. (They are extremely popular houseplants.) This may be the year that you give one a try.
References:
DeWolf, Jr., Gordon P., ed. Taylor’s Guide to Houseplants. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1987, p. 422.
Huxley, Anthony, ed. Success with House Plants. Pleasantville, NY: The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., 1979, p. 380.
For more information on other easy-to-grow houseplants, see:
Purple Heart and Purple Passion Spider Plant and Swedish Ivy
