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Syngonium podophyllum

Image of Syngonium podophyllum

Forest & Kim Starr

Family

Araceae

Botanical Name

Syngonium podophyllum

Plant Common Name

American Evergreen, Arrowhead Vine

General Description

Its lush evergreen foliage and tough constitution make arrowhead vine a popular choice for the house or conservatory. Native to tropical America, this cold-tender plant forms a compact shrub when young, but later develops climbing stems with aerial roots.

Young plants have medium to dark green oval leaves with heart-shaped bases. Older plants produce arrowhead-shaped or compound leaves, often with gray-green markings. Mature landscape plants may bear creamy, hood-like blooms in summer, followed by red fruits.

Grow American evergreen in partial to full shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Protect from freezing temperatures, although plants will resprout from the roots if killed back by light frost. In tropical areas grow it as a large liana on a specimen shade tree, or use as a groundcover bearing in mind it can become invasive and overbearing upon trees. Elsewhere enjoy it in a pot or hanging basket, brought under cover in cold weather.

Numerous cultivars are available with leaves variegated with cream, silver, white, light green, or pale blue.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 9

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Vine/Liana

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

  • Height

    2'-85' / 0.6m - 25.9m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer

  • Native To

    Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Very Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Vining/Climbing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Ivory

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Tan

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical, Vine

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Yes

  • Self-Sowing

    No