Spearheading 2024 with Arrowhead Plants

The arrowhead symbolizes protection in Native American culture and is also associated with forward movement in advertising and more. What could be more fitting at the start of a new year than a few Arrowhead Plants with colorful foliage in light yellowish green, silvery white, or pink and cream? Syngoniums, or Arrowhead Plants, are worth seeking out during the first days of January and beyond to give us that push forward that we are going to need.

Arrowhead Plants are likely to be familiar to you. I have seen them for as long as I can remember amid houseplant displays in greenhouses and shops, their telltale leaves making it clear what they are, even at first sight. But the Syngoniums I knew in the past were typically pale green—very pretty, but quite consistent from seller to seller when I went looking for houseplants. Today’s growers focus on a much broader array of Syngoniums, far beyond the pale green. They have leaves with variegation, and leaves of solid color in darker green, green-gold, as in the ‘Gold Allusion’ variety, silvery white, and even blush tones. For example, Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’ has arrowhead-shaped leaves in colors of mainly pink and cream.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’ has enough leaf surface that the pink and creamy pink tones get noticed. But I fail to see the plant’s connection to “neon”, which strikes me as glow-in-the-dark and much bolder... robusto. I know that although this houseplant can handle dim lighting, doses of indirect light will bring out its color. Perhaps some plant tenders can achieve the perfect dose of light to get this houseplant to absolutely glow in pink, but I see the colors as much calmer and paler. And that is what I like best about Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’, its peaceful tones.

Now, speaking of tones, a new year brings with it a new Pantone color to celebrate. For 2024, the Pantone Color of the Year is “Peach Fuzz”, a subtle peach that is uplifting and natural. I will look for this color in spring plants, as I have seen it in Irises, Snapdragons, Roses…. But as if Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’ needed more connections with the New Year, I am seeing Pantone’s “Peach Fuzz” in some of this houseplant’s leaves. This connection is a bit of a stretch, but as the cream and pink tones collide, a few leaves become almost pale peach. This surely is something I would play up if I were to give this plant as a gift in the next couple of months.

Syngoniums make great gifts because they are easy to tend, especially if the recipient’s home has air that is not too dry. The Arrowhead Plants like humidity, regular watering, and good daily stretches in diffused light to keep their leaf color looking fresh. These are plants that cannot sit in spots where pets might chew at them, for they not pet-safe. But positioning is easy, considering the plants’ ability to do well in hanging baskets and other high perches where they can start vining beautifully as they mature. It is very possible to keep these plants away from pets while allowing human admirers ample opportunity to ponder the shape of their leaves, admire the foliage color of such varieties as Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’, and remark to others about their ease of care.

Young Syngoniums often show up as part of dish gardens, with florists making the most of their arrowhead-shaped leaves by contrasting them with other foliage. (Now, the color of these plants is also great contrast: Picture Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’ peeking out from a dish of green tones.) Their presence in these groupings of plants is possible because they require so little. No one would call them demanding in any way.

Now, I should note that I have allowed Syngoniums to dry out excessively, and this has turned some of their leaves crisp. I was left to pull off the affected parts of my plants, and new growth came in looking good. But now I monitor moisture level better to avoid this mistake in the future.

I know that Arrowhead Plants, and Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’ in particular, will remind me to move ahead through all that 2024 holds. I know that I will continue to find the beauty that life holds in all my plants, just as you do in yours. All that remains to say is “Happy New Year and Happy Planting” to us all.