A Complete Guide To Syngonium Varieties

Looking for a low-maintenance yet stunning plant for your home or office? Syngonium varieties are perfect for the job.

Not only are they easy to care for, but their changing colours and arrow-shaped leaves add a wonderful aesthetic accent to any room.

Syngoniums like bright, indirect sunlight and humidity, though they can tolerate low light. Water them moderately.

Some popular Syngonium varieties include the Arrowhead Vine, Pink Allusion, White Butterfly, and Five Finger!

Learn about the different types of Syngonium and then choose which one is best for your home.

 

About the Syngonium Plant

Syngonium spp. is a genus of flowering plants native to tropical rainforests in Central and South America. The leaf shape changes as the plant matures, and often features colour variegation.

Foliage shades include light green, dark green, cream, emerald green, white, and pink.

This low-maintenance plant is a climber, creeping up trees in the wild. Because of its long offshoots, it can also be grown as a trailing plant in hanging baskets or high-placed pots.

Syngoniums are toxic to both pets and humans. Contact with the mucous and tissues of the plant can cause skin inflammation, itching, and blistering.

Meanwhile, ingesting parts of Syngonium can cause gastrointestinal issues.

Some cultures consider Syngonium a ‘feng shui plant’ since its five-lobed shape represents the five elements, balancing positive energy.

 

Syngonium Plant Varieties

1. Syngonium Arrowhead Vine
2. Syngonium Pink Allusion
3. Syngonium Mini Pixie
4. Syngonium Green Gold
5. Syngonium White Butterfly
6. Syngonium Five Fingers
7. Syngonium Cream Allusion
8. Syngonium Painted Arrow
9. Syngonium Pink Splash
10. Syngonium Bold Allusion
11. Syngonium Fantasy
12. Syngonium Confetti
13. Syngonium Holly
14. Syngonium Aurea Variegata
15. Syngonium Tricolour
16. Syngonium Pink Spot
17. Syngonium Silver Pearl
18. Syngonium Christmas
19. Syngonium Strawberry Ice
20. Syngonium Gray Ghost
21. Syngonium Dwarf Variegata

 

Common Syngonium Varieties

There are plenty of Syngonium species – more than enough to make your head spin.

Here are some of the commonly-available Syngonium types for you to choose from… although there’s nothing wrong with getting more than one!

 

Arrowhead Vine

Syngonium podophyllum is one of the most commonly cultivated varieties of syngonium. Also called an arrowhead plant, it used to be confused with the African Nephthytis.

Podophyllum features arrow or heart-shaped leaves that, in the wild, are dark green with no variegation.

In cultivation, though, Syngonium podophyllum usually has light green leaves with cream, pink, or reddish markings.

This vine prefers moist air and temperatures not exceeding 38ºC. Plant a podophyllum in moist peat and regularly spray its leaves. Feed it small doses of water-soluble fertiliser.

This Syngonium variety is an excellent candidate for hydroculture.

 

Pink Allusion

You’ll know this Syngonium plant by its wide, pale pink leaves.

Some Pink Allusions have full pink leaves, while others have light green leaf veins. There are even Pink Allusion plants with pink spots!

You can grow this Syngonium indoors or outdoors, and as a potted or trailing plant.

 

Mini Pixie

This adorable, petite-sized Syngonium is known for its clumping nature and slightly rounded leaf shape. The dark green leaves often have pretty silver variegation.

Try offering someone a Mini Pixie as a housewarming gift!

 

Green Gold

The Green Gold resembles English Ivy due to its waxy leaves, but they’re very different plants.

This Syngonium has variegated, triangular leaves and can climb as it ages. You’ll recognise a Syngonium Green Gold by its yellow edges and veins.

It’s recommended to grow your Syngonium Green Gold in indirect sunlight, although it can tolerate low light settings. It is a tropical plant, so let the soil dry before watering again.

 

White Butterfly

The foliage of this syngonium plant resembles a butterfly – hence its name! White Butterfly is a popular houseplant with its light green foliage and dark green edges.

To maximise your plant’s growth, place a support stake or plant stand that it can climb up.

Water your White Butterfly Syngonium regularly and ensure it receives medium lighting. Additionally, keep it away from drafts.

 

Five Fingers

The Syngonium Angustattum is more commonly known as “Five Fingers” due to its unusual leaf shape.

A single node can produce up to 5 separate lobes, which are dark green with light green variegation.

Syngonium Five Fingers will thrive in 18º–24ºC temperatures, with 5–6 hours of indirect sun.

Fertilise your Syngonium in early spring and summer, and ensure good drainage.

 

Cream Allusion

This is a compact variety of Syngonium that has creamy green leaves with pink veins.

Since it doesn’t take up much space and can tolerate low light, it’s great for living rooms and offices.

However, if you want to maintain your Cream Allusion’s variegation, keep it under bright but not direct sunlight.

Let the soil surface dry out before watering again, although don’t let all the earth dry out!

 

Painted Arrow

The Painted Arrow variety of Syngonium has stunning variegations of cream, white, and green.

This classy and elegant plant prefers bright but dappled light, although it will grow even at a distance from a light source. (Nothing more than 2m though!)

Use a good potting mix that drains well. Repot your Painted Arrow after it doubles in size or once a year – whichever comes first.

 

Pink Splash

Just as the name says, this variety of Syngonium comes in with a splash. Its pink leaves make it stand out, especially if you let it spread and grow in all directions.

However, make sure to prune regularly to encourage new growth and keep your Pink Splash from getting too bushy.

This Syngonium can grow in low light, but it’ll maintain its vibrant colour better if you let it grow in medium indirect light.

Don’t let the soil become waterlogged, but don’t let it dry out either.

 

Bold Allusion

This ‘bold’ plant stands out with its thickly-clustered, wide leaves that are predominantly cream with pink veins.

The Bold Allusion is compact, so it makes a great table plant, but its spreading nature means it’s also good ground cover.

This Syngonium type likes slightly acidic to neutral soil, and partial or dappled shade. It can tolerate drought, which makes it a very hardy plant.

 

Rare Syngonium Types

These Syngonium plant varieties are harder to cultivate and purchase, often due to their special variegation.

If you’re a Syngonium aficionado, keep an eye out for these plants – they might cost a pretty penny, but they’re gorgeous!

 

Syngonium Fantasy

The Syngonium Fantasy has stunning green and white variegation, and can change colour throughout the seasons and over years.

It’s also called the Albo Variegata. This plant is relatively slow-growing, which makes it easy to look after.

Maintain its beautiful variegation by keeping it in indirect lighting. Keep soil slightly moist in spring and summer, and slightly dry in cooler months. If you’re potting it, make sure to use a mix with a pH of 5–7.

 

Syngonium Confetti

This is also known as Milk Confetti, and it’s gorgeous. This rare Syngonium species features leaves marbled with pink and green.

In its youth, the Syngonium Confetti has arrow-like leaves that change into lobes that resemble irregular stars and elongated beams.

Syngonium Confetti grows fast, but so long as it receives proper care, it will retain its striking features.

Keep soil moist but not wet, with the top drying out partially before watering again.

 

Holly

The Holly variety of Syngonium is an easy-to-care-for plant that’s perfect for beginner gardeners.

It has cream to white leaves with narrow green edges, which will stand out against the dark green foliage of other plants if grouped together.

Syngonium Holly can tolerate low to medium light, but will thrive best in indirect sun.

 

Aurea Variegata

If you’re looking for a rare stunner, the Aurea Variegata is it.

Unlike most Syngoniums, which feature pink or cream variegations, this variety features yellow colours which makes it highly sought-after and prized.

The Aurea Variegate isn’t difficult to care for – simply place it in medium lighting and let the soil partially dry between waterings.

You can water in small amounts, several times, instead of one big soak. If you have the space, let them vine!

 

Tricolour

Syngonium Tricolour looks like an artist’s canvas with splotches of green, white, and pink.

It definitely makes for an eye-catching plant, no matter where you place it in your home.

Support the plant while young with a climbing stick, preferably made out of Sphagnum moss.

Keep in the appropriate light and humidity levels to maintain the stunning variegation.

 

Pink Spot

The leaf plates of this Syngonium species come in a wide range of shapes, but most feature greenish-white or pink foliage with dark pink spots.

Don’t expose the Pink Spot to too-bright light or the variegation and patterns will fade.

Feed your Pink Spot in the summer. It will thrive best indoors with medium to low lighting and good air circulation. Water when the soil is partially dry.

 

Silver Pearl

This variation, also called the Goosefoot or Gooseplant, is very popular despite its rarity. It has minimal variegation, instead sporting silvery-green foliage with thickish leaves.

Unlike the eye-catching, colourful patterns of other Syngonium varieties, this one is more understated and elegant.

Plant your Silver Pearl in a humid, shady spot and in a free-draining potting mix. You can use it as underplanting in tropical gardens.

 

Syngonium Christmas

Keep your home festive year-round with the Syngonium Christmas! The dark green leaves feature reddish, corrugated variegations that give the plant its name.

The Christmas species starts out compact, although it grows fairly quickly.

Position it in medium to bright lighting, and water when the top layer of soil dries out.

 

Syngonium Strawberry Ice

Syngonium fans love the Strawberry Ice, despite its high price point.

This variety has irregularly shaped leaves with a pink colour – making you think of strawberry ice cream. It’s hard to find, so it’s a collector’s gem.

Like most Syngoniums, the Strawberry Ice is an easygoing plant, although it does grow fast and bushy.

It will thrive in bright indoor spaces, which will help preserve its variegation. It’s also drought tolerant, but don’t let them go too long without water.

 

Syngonium Gray Ghost

Don’t let the name spook you! The Gray Ghost (or Green Splash) is a beautiful plant with dark green and grey mottling.

It likes humidity (about 50%), and the leaves may crisp or turn brown due to lack of moisture in the air.

Medium to bright indirect sunlight is ideal, to encourage the variegation.

Check the soil once a week and water if the top half is dry. You may need to repot after about a year.

 

Dwarf Variegata

This is one of, if not the rarest of Syngoniums. Also called the T25, it has uniquely variegated leaves in a characteristic green and white.

On some leaves, the white is almost translucent, and they may have pink or red edges.

Dwarf Variegata can tolerate low lighting, but will grow faster in medium to bright lighting.

Let the soil dry out partially between watering. Do not let the ambient temperature drop to below 10ºC.

 

How to Care for Syngonium Plants

Most Syngonium varieties will prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering. For indoor plants, place them somewhere with bright light.

They’re also low-light tolerant, and can grow under artificial growth lights if needed.

Direct sun may scorch the leaves, especially in the afternoon.

This arrowhead plant thrives best in high humidity, in temperatures between 16º–30ºC. You can ensure appropriate humidity levels by misting the leaves regularly or installing a humidifier nearby.

For fertiliser, you can feed Syngoniums in spring and summer. Be sure to read the instructions for the correct amount and application.

Syngonium varieties are susceptible to root rot, wilting leaves, yellowed or brown leaves, and pest infestations.

You can propagate all types of arrowhead plants through cuttings in water or peat moss.

If you’d rather not cut your plant unnecessarily, you can also do air layering!

 

Maintaining Your Syngoniums

There are many Syngonium varieties (over 30!), but they tend to have similar care protocols.

Keep them out of direct light, water when the top layer of soil dries to maintain good humidity – and your Syngonium should stay happy and healthy.

For those growing Syngoniums outdoors, you may want to enlist a professional gardener to help maintain your plants.

Give your Syngoniums lots of love, and they’ll shine brightly in return – making themselves a gorgeous focal point of any space.

And if you feel one might not be enough, as the list shows, there’s plenty more for you to collect!