Syngonium Erythrophyllum is also known as the red arrow plant. It is famous all over the globe because of its beautiful and uniquely shaped foliage. All the leaves have a reddish underside.
This is not a beginner’s plant means if you are new to gardening and have never cared for any plant before in your life. Then please do not go for this plant. Because its care techniques are a little bit tricky.
It is suitable for those people who have at least basic knowledge of houseplants and their care routine.
But if you have decided to start from this plant don’t worry, I am here to help you.
Below is the complete detailed guide that will help you to grow this plant even with little knowledge of plants.
Your success with this plant depends upon how deeply you pay focus on this guide. Take paper-pencil and make all important notes.
Let’s start the journey:
About the Plant
In an ideal growing environment, Syngonium Erythrophyllum grows 5 to 8 feet in height with a good spread. This much growth is only possible if you give it some kind of structural support. Moss pole is an interesting thing to support plant structures.
Or you can grow it in hanging baskets and the long vines will hang downwards.
At the initial stage, the leaves do not look like an arrow they are just like any other plant. But when the plant moves toward the mature side the underside becomes red and the leaves turn like Arrow.
I grow this plant at home like an indoor vining plant. It grows slowly and does not need frequent repotting.
Light Needs
Like other dark-leaf plants, Syngonium Erythrophyllum cannot tolerate direct sunlight. You need to protect it from harsh sun rays.
It can easily grow in low-light situations. But the sharp light can fade the dark color of leaves.
If you do not address the problem on time then the leaves turn brown and fall off. This condition is hard to cure when 65% of the plant leaves turn brown.
Do not place it on the sunny windowsill this will only result in a damaged plant. Remember that the Erythrophyllum plant can grow in low light conditions. But cannot stand in high-intensity light.
Potting Soil
The potting soil is the important part that you need to concentrate on. Because the ordinary potting mix will not work in this case. You have to amend it to make it suitable for the plant.
The soil that is well-draining and has good aeration qualities works best. It also has to be on the acidic side.
I use a soil pH meter to measure the nature of the soil. My potting soil stays between 5.5 to 6.5 pH. Peat moss, perlite, pine bark, coco coir are some best materials that you can use for the alteration.
My formula is 1part peat + 1 part perlite + 1 part potting soil.
This works like a miracle for my Syngonium Erythrophyllum plants. I have never faced an overwatering problem with this soil formula. Because it has excellent aeration qualities.
Watering
Your watering technique will decide the future of your Syngonium Erythrophyllum. Because it cannot tolerate wet soil and drought conditions.
This clears that it needs slightly moist soil all the time.
In summer this plant will need more water as compared to the winter season. The reason is summer is the active growing season of this plant variety.
When a houseplant grows, it needs more nutrients and water than on any other day of the season.
The right watering technique:
First of all, check the water level in the soil. For this purpose, I use a soil moisture meter. I turn it ON and insert the probe in the soil.
In less than 20 seconds the meter displays the moisture level in digital form. If the top 1 or 2 inches of the soil are dry then you can water your plant. Otherwise, wait for 48 hours and re-check the soil moisture.
You May Also Like: The Anthurium Magnificum care guide
Fertilizing
Light fertilization is the key to success. This plant is not a heavy feeder and it grows at a slower rate. Buy a normal houseplant fertilizer and dilute it with filtered water.
Then pour this nutrient solution into the base of the plant.
Do not forget to dilute the nutrient liquid before use. A little bit of overdosage of fertilizer can damage the plant.
If you are using a pre-fertilized potting mix with amendments. Then you do not need to fertilize it for its entire life.
Temperature & Humidity
55 to 85 degrees F is the ideal temperature range for it. Because it is a tropical plant, it cannot survive in hard cold conditions.
It also cannot tolerate high temperatures and direct sunlight.
You should protect your plant from hot winds in the summer season and cold winds in the winter season.
Also, keep the plant away from the direct flow of Air conditioners and Heating vents.
Humidity is not a problem for this plant because the general home humidity is enough for it. This means you don’t need to make any changes to it.
But if your plant is turning brown and you are sure that the low humidity is the concern. Then you can use the pebble tray method or group the plants together.
In both cases, the general home humidity increases by 15 to 20 %. Which is a good hike in air moisture of an American Home.
Toxicity
Calcium oxalate is a substance that is toxic and mainly found in the leaves of this plant. But it only gets activated when it enters our body.
Ingestion of its leaves can give toxic effects. It is equally toxic to humans and pets.
Skin irritations, vomiting, stomach pain nausea are a few of its common symptoms. Immediately contact your doctor.
Repotting
As I mentioned above this plant is a slow grower. This means you do not need to repot it often. But it will need repotting once after every 3 years until it gets fully matured.
For repotting choose one size bigger pot. I use a terracotta plant pot for this plant because I do not want to face overwatering issues.
Terracotta is a material that allows air to evaporate the excessive amount of moisture from the potting soil.
Nowadays we have so many stylish plant pots in the market.
Propagation
Stem cutting is the easy way of Syngonium Erythrophyllum propagation. All you need to do is just find a healthy stem and cut it from the plant.
Then remove the leave from the bottom and leave that on the top part.
Dip the cut edge in the rooting hormone and plant it in the potting soil. Give some water to the soil in order to keep it moist.
Within 2 to 3 weeks the stem will develop its roots and you will see new tiny leaves.
Conclusion
Soil, Watering, and Humidity are the main parts of the care guide that you need to focus on. Protect it from cold weather and expose it to low bright light.
To keep it strong little bit of fertilization is recommended.
It is easy to care for the Syngonium Erythrophyllum plant.
