African Evergreen Syngonium podophyllum

The American evergreen is a tropical perennial shrub or vine in the Araceae family climbing to 6 feet. It is desired in interior settings for its low-maintenance, green or variegated, long-petioled leaves and bush-like habit with some cascading stems.  Its blooms are rare in interiors. 

The ideal location will include a warm setting with high humidity.  Avoid locations with full sun, as direct sunlight will tend to burn or bleach the foliage. Typically a perennial, it can be grown as an annual for your containers or other bright but shady locations. Young plants will have a shrubby habit, but as the plant ages, it will take on a vine-like habit. If you wish to retain the arrowhead foliage, cut off the stems as they begin to develop. That will allow the plant to keep a more shrub-like habit. Repotting every few years and trimming the root system can keep the plant manageable.

Its flowers are green to greenish white form on a spike and are encompassed by a green-white sheathing bract called a spathe.  Groups of flowers form in the leaf axils.

As the plant matures, its leaves change shape. Its juvenile form has ovate, heart- or arrowhead-shaped leaves up to 5.5 inches long.  They may have a silvery and/or pink variegation. The adult form has longer, narrower leaves. If allowed to climb a tree as it does in nature, the leaves will eventually become pedate (having feet) and contain 5 to 11 leaflets. There are also lobed leaves representing a transition from juvenile to adult stage. 

This plant is typically sold in its juvenile form.   Its uses include use in a hanging basket, as a ground cover, climber, or as a small shrub.

Quick ID

• Juvenile leaf arrowhead-shaped, adult leaf lobed
• Leaves have long petioles, are sub peltate
• Bush-like habit with some climbing or trailing stems

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   Watch for aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.  Bacterial leaf spots and soft rot can occur.