Syngoniums have tender stems and have a tendency to get floppy and fall over as they develop. Right here are some things I’m doing to maintain my leggy Arrowhead Plant bushy and full.
My Arrowhead Plant had rapidly become a floppy Arrowhead shrub in a matter of some months. I didn’t thoughts its freeform behavior, nevertheless it took up an excessive amount of area. I’ve 60+ different houseplants, so desk and ground area is at a premium in my residence.
And this vining plant does develop like loopy. This, mixed with the truth that they have an inclination to get leggy, made me devise a plan to maintain it extra “contained” so it might higher match within the nook it was rising in. I didn’t need to construct an addition to accommodate this wild plant!
Botanical Title: Syngonium podophyllum Frequent Title: Arrowhead Plant, Arrowhead Vine
I did two issues to assist preserve my Arrowhead Plant bushy and forestall it from getting too leggy.
Why An Arrowhead Plant Will get Leggy and Falls Over
These tropical vegetation develop up bushes and alongside the bottom through aerial roots of their pure habitat. You might need purchased yours as a small 4″ plant, and a 12 months or two later, it’s become a jungle vine. The longest I’ve seen an Arrowhead rising indoors was about 7′. If the vining behavior and look are what you need, then let yours go!
Let me make clear one thing. Mine wasn’t drooping or flopping from an excessive amount of or too little water. Arrowhead Vegetation develop quick; most have a vining nature and tender stems that fall over and flop as they develop.
They like a shiny mild state of affairs however to be stored out of direct daylight. Lack of sunshine is one other trigger for this plant (or any plant) getting leggy.
You possibly can examine into among the new styles of Syngoniums, which keep extra compact and develop slower if trailing isn’t your factor. An alternative choice: take a look at what I did with my plant within the two movies under.
Are you interested by the best way to develop this plant? This submit on Arrowhead Plant Care will enable you to out.
When & How To Prune An Arrowhead Plant
Pruning is an enormous a part of Arrowhead Plant care. It removes the spindly development and stimulates new development. For greatest outcomes, prune yours through the rising season, in spring or summer season. Early fall is okay, too, particularly should you’re in a extra temperate local weather.
I pruned the lengthy and leggy stems, taking a few of them off utterly. You will need to dive in and begin someplace when the plant is huge and floppy. This isn’t inventive pruning, and since these vegetation develop quick, it’s onerous to mess it up.
I then did tip pruning (it’s also possible to name it pinching) on the opposite stems. It is a nice solution to preserve vegetation from getting too leggy and encourage bushiness. That is the place you’re taking 2-5 leaves (plus their stems) off the ends of the principle stems.
If you happen to’ve by no means accomplished tip pruning earlier than, it’s fast and simple to do. You’ll get snug with it very quickly!
The Arrowhead Plant stem cuttings I propagated from the pruning have been 6 – 10″ lengthy. They have been prepared for planting in a bit over three weeks. Sure, their roots develop quick too.
I’ve given this plant aggressive pruning thrice now. Concerning the newest prune job, I minimize off a number of older stems. These lengthy stems that have been naked of foliage on the high actually gave the plant an ugly look.
It’s greatest to do that one factor earlier than you prune: ensure your Pruning Instruments Are Clear & Sharp.
Take away the Yellow Leaves
Earlier than placing the helps in, I cleaned out the weak, yellow decrease and internal leaves. This plant grows so densely that the highest development can smother the underside and inside development. I hadn’t seen a few of them till I put the plant on my work desk to movie the video, so I eliminated them after I did the pruning.
How To Help/Stake An Arrowhead Plant
I didn’t need mine to develop upwards on a chunk of bark, a small trellis, a moss pole, or a moss stick. As an alternative, I made a decision on one thing I’d used again within the day once I was an expert gardener.
I hoped these 15″ half-round steel backyard helps (which I used to carry up delphiniums, dahlias, and many others.) would do the trick. And thankfully, they did.
My plant grows within the tall pink ornamental container (fiberglass and really mild, thank goodness) that you just see within the lead picture. I marked a few stems that I needed to path over the entrance of the container with a pink ribbon. I then propped up the again 3/4 of the plant with the 2 half-round stakes. They match into the 8″ develop pot excellent, so I used to be happy as punch about that.
Can You Propagate Syngonium Cuttings?
Oh sure. These aerial roots make it very straightforward.
You possibly can propagate them in water or a light-weight potting combine. New roots seem off the stems very quickly.
I received’t go into additional element on this right here. If , take a look at this submit devoted to Arrowhead Plant Propagation.
How To Preserve An Arrowhead Plant Bushy
I’ll tip-prune the brand new development two to 3 occasions a 12 months, relying on how my plant grows. I’ll skinny out a few of these internal stems if it fills in too densely. It shouldn’t want an enormous pruning for 2 or three years now.
My Arrowhead Vine suits significantly better within the nook and doesn’t seem like it’s perpetually drooping. I’ve three different Syngoniums which might be totally different varieties, they usually don’t want as a lot pruning as this one.
Leggy Arrowhead Plant Video Information 2020
Leggy Arrowhead Plant Video Information 2023
The identical plant three years later.
Arrowhead Plant FAQS
There are a few causes. Younger vegetation keep good and full. As they develop, some varieties get leggier than others. One other attainable trigger isn’t sufficient mild. A plant in low mild circumstances reaches towards a light-weight supply which causes it to get spindly.
You possibly can minimize off the leggy stems and tip-prune the remaining stems. Tip pruning is the place you chop off the tip of every stem (or chosen stems) to maintain a plant bushy. It’s a good suggestion to do common pruning to maintain this plant in examine.
And, ensure it’s getting sufficient mild – they like a shiny oblique mild publicity.
Relying on if the stem grows upwards or downwards, you prune above or under a leaf node.
You certain can, and it’s straightforward and quick! You possibly can propagate the stems in water or soil combine. You don’t want something fancy; a jar or glass of water will do. If in soil, use a develop pot and lightweight combine so these new roots can simply emerge and develop.
It will depend on what you imply by drooping. It may be attributable to an excessive amount of water or not sufficient water. My plant was “drooping,” nevertheless it wanted a superb pruning and technique of assist to maintain it from flopping over.
I received’t go into particulars on that right here. I’ve accomplished a care submit and video devoted to Arrowhead Plant Care that you could take a look at.
Conclusion: Syngoniums are standard indoor vegetation. Legginess is among the frequent issues with this plant, and you’ll simply repair it with pruning. Following these steps, you may simply preserve your Arrowhead Plant, making it fuller, more healthy, and extra aesthetically pleasing.
All of us need our Arrowhead Vegetation to remain full, lush, and bushy for years to return!
Observe: This submit was revealed on 5/16/2020. It was up to date with extra data & a brand new video on 6/27/2023.
Pleased gardening,
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Nell, the founding father of Pleasure Us backyard, was born right into a gardening household and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After dwelling in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert residence. She studied horticulture & backyard design, working within the area all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & writer. She’s been gardening for a really very long time & desires to share what she’s discovered with you.
