Description & Interesting Facts:
Syngonium podophyllum is an ornamental tropical vine native to Mexico, Central America (i.e. Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama), parts of the Caribbean (i.e. Trinidad and Tobago) and tropical South America (i.e. French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru).
Did you know that this gorgeous pot plant is now considered to be a potential invasive and “sleeper weed”’ by the World Wildlife Federation, and is listed as an invasive species in South Africa? In our warm subtropical regions it has escaped garden cultivation as is invading our natural areas. Therefore, it is categorised by NEMBA as a Category 1B in certain regions, and a Category 2 in others. Learn more about its invasive status in SA at the end of this article.
This vine is cultivated in many tropical countries and widely exported, and as with many plants in the horticultural trade, it goes by numerous common names including: Goose Foot, Arrowhead Vine, Arrowhead Philodendron, African Evergreen, and American Evergreen.
Several different cultivars of Syngonium podophyllum have been developed by the nursery industry, and may still be sold as indoor pot plants in South Africa.
‘White Butterfly’
‘White Butterfly’ has wonderful white and green leaves.
'Red Heart'
'Red Heart' showcases soft pink heart-shaped leaves.
‘Pink Allusion’
‘Pink Allusion’ is charming with bright pink leaves that are green underneath.
'Pixie'
'Pixie' is an adorable dwarf variety with small green and cream mottled foliage.
In the Home & Patio:
These vines are fast growing and incredibly easy to grow. They are perfect for hanging baskets where they can cascade down, and small pots look lovely anywhere in the home, from the kitchen and lounge to the bathroom. Their beautifully variegated leaves will also purify the air, making the goose foot an ideal choice for improving the air quality in your home or office.
Syngonium 'Pixie'How to care for the goose foot in pots
The goose foot is a tropical plant that is quite forgiving and will tolerate low temperatures and bouts of neglect and low light conditions, making it very easy to grow in pots.
It loves a warm spot where it will receive medium to bright light, but is quite adaptable to lower light conditions. If the light is too low, the variegations on the foliage will start to fade, move it into brighter light.
It isn’t too bothered by humidity levels and will live happily live in average room humidity, however, the higher the humidity the more lush your leaves will appear. Very dry air can lead to brown edges on the leaves, spoiling its appearance.
Misting the plant with tepid water regularly and placing the pot on top of a drip tray filled with pebbles and water will also help increase humidity. Ensure the pot is standing above, and not in the water.
During the summer growing season it should be watered regularly, but only moderately in winter.
Feed every two weeks in the summer with a balanced organic feed for foliage plants.
What is the invasive status of Syngonium podophyllum?
This syngonium has established invasive populations in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including the United States, South Africa, Singapore, the Caribbean, and on several Pacific islands. It may establish dense populations that displace native plants and grow over native trees.
In the United States, this vine is listed as a Category I invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. By definition, exotic plants on this list affect indigenous plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives.
Syngonium podophyllum is also regarded as an environmental weed in Queensland, and as a potential environmental weed or "sleeper weed" in other parts of northern and eastern Australia.
It is also listed as an environmental and agricultural weed in the Global Compendium of Weeds, as it is becoming highly invasive in tropical and subtropical areas where it climbs from the forest floor into the forest canopy engulfing mature trees and shading-out native vegetation in the understory.
Where in South Africa is Syngonium podophyllum a problem?
It is a problem in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
How does it spread?
This species almost exclusively reproduces vegetative in the wild, and is propagated and spread by cuttings in cultivation.
NEMBA Category 1b
In KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo it is a species which must be controlled. Property owners and organisations of state must control the listed invasive species within their properties.
If an Invasive Species Management Programme has been developed, a person must control the listed invasive species in accordance with such programme. Authorised officials must be permitted to enter properties to monitor, assist with or implement the control of listed species.
NEMBA Category 2
Any species listed under Category 2 requires a permit issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to carry out a restricted activity. Any person in control of a Category 2 listed species must take all necessary measures to ensure that specimens of the species do not spread outside of the land or area, such as an aviary, as specified in the permit.
NEMBA Category 2 for breeding in nurseries in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, but may not be transferred from within those provincial boundaries.
Conclusion:
In cold climates this vine is not terribly invasive because frost and very low temperatures will kill it off in winter, but even in cold and frosty regions it still survives in sheltered positions outdoors. Therefore, I advocate that we all make sure that if we are planting this vine it is kept confined indoors or in pots or hanging baskets on the patio.
It’s always best to be safe than sorry, and as gardeners we really must take responsibility for what we plant in our gardens, and if a plant has invasive potential we really should not be planting it outdoors at all.
Toxicity:
In terms of being poisonous, the Arrowhead (Syngonium) rates a three on the toxicity scale. This particular type of plant is toxic to both humans and animals. Therefore it is a good idea to keep children and house pets well away.