How to Grow and Care for Sygonium Albo

Syngonium podophyllum 'Albo Variegatum' is a striking cultivar in the tropical Araceae family of 30 to 40 climbing plants, commonly called arrowhead vines.

It's distinguished by and coveted for its vibrant white and green foliage and unique arrowhead shape. This variegated syngonium puts on its best performance when kept in bright, indirect light and in slightly acidic, well-draining soil with even temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F.

Make sure the plant is unreachable by small children and pets since all parts of the syngonium albo are toxic to people and animals.

Syngonium Albo Care

Syngonium albo is fairly easy to grow and care for. The biggest challenge for this plant is providing the right light to maintain its notable green and white variegation. As the plant matures, its lobes become well-defined, pointed tips, giving it a unique look. To help it achieve its optimum appearance, use a moss pole to let it climb.

• Place syngonium albo in a location that receives a full day of bright, indirect light.
• Plant in fertile, loose, and well-draining mix composed of soil, perlite, and moss.
• Develop a regular watering schedule, irrigating when soil is two-thirds dry.
• Keep the plant in a warm spot out of drafts and away from air vents.
• Fertilize monthly during the growing season with an indoor plant food diluted to half strength.

Light

Providing the right kind and amount of light is key to sustaining syngonium albo variegation. A full day of bright, indirect light is ideal. Bright direct light can burn white leaves which are weaker and more easily damaged. Not enough light will cause a loss of variegation with foliage remaining green.

Soil

Syngoniums grow best in slightly acidic, fertile, and well-draining potting mixes. Combine high-quality potting soil with bark and perlite in equal amounts. Another good combination is one-half high-quality potting soil mixed with one-quarter perlite and one-quarter coconut coir or moss.

Water

Develop a watering schedule by checking regularly to learn how quickly the soil dries out. When two-thirds of the soil mix is dry, it's time to water. Maintain irrigation throughout the growing season but water less frequently during cold weather months.

Syngonium albo is vulnerable to both stem and root rot so be careful about watering too much and too often. Look out for drooping leaves since it's a sign your plant is too wet.

Temperature and Humidity

Normal household temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F., are appropriate for this plant. Syngonium albo is sensitive to the cold so keep it out of drafty areas, and make sure to keep place them in a spot where temperatures remain even.

This tropical plant proliferates in humidity levels of 50 to 60 percent. To increase moisture in the air, place the pot on a pebble tray or mist it a couple of times a week.

Fertilizer

Feed syngonium albo once a month during the growing season with an indoor plant fertilizer reduced to half strength. Be sure to water the plant before feeding. A seaweed solution or a top dressing of compost in spring will also add nutrients to keep the plant healthy and eliminate fertilizer in the winter.

Pruning Syngonium Albo

This is a rapidly growing vine that can lengthen up to 12 inches every year and reach heights of 3 to 6 feet. To maintain a shorter, fuller shape, cut long vines back to 6 to 8 inches above the soil line. If you prefer the look of a climber, add a moss pole for support. Keep in mind that the leaf shape becomes more stylized as the foliage matures.

Propagating Syngonium Albo

Syngonium albo produces aerial roots on the stem just below each leaf node which makes it very easy to propagate with cuttings. The most reliable method is to root cuttings in water. Rooting in sphagnum moss is the second-best approach.

Propagating cuttings in the soil can work but has the highest failure rate. Follow these steps for the easiest ways to increase your collection.

Water Propagation Method

1. Use a sterile snipper or sharp scissors to cut the stem between leaves.
2. Retain the leaf along with its node and any aerial roots below it, removing extra leaves above.
3. Submerge the node and roots in water, keeping the attached leaf above water level.
4. Place the cutting in a warm, sunny location.
5. Change water weekly and watch for new roots to develop.
6. Once several roots emerge and are 1 to 2 inches long, pot the new plant in a mix appropriate for syngonium albo.

Moss Propagation Method

1. Use a sterile snipper or sharp scissors to cut the stem between leaves.
2. Retain the leaf along with its node and any aerial roots below it, removing extra leaves above.
3. Dampen a handful of sphagnum moss and gently squeeze to remove excess water.
4. Wrap the moss around the leaf node and aerial roots forming a ball around the stem.
5. Cover the moss with plastic wrap and secure it to the stem below the roots with twine or a soft tie.
6. Place the cutting in a warm, sunny location.
7. Check the cutting in two to three weeks for root growth.
8. Once several roots emerge and are 1 to 2 inches long, pot the new plant in a mix appropriate for syngonium albo.

Potting and Repotting Syngonium Albo

Syngonium albo is a houseplant that does not like to be root bound. Plan to repot every other year or every third year depending on pruning and plant size. Choose a pot one size larger or 2 inches wider in diameter. Use plastic or ceramic pots for the best water retention.

1. Remove the plant from its current pot by reaching down into the soil and grasping the root ball.
2. Gently lift the entire plant and rootball from the pot. Avoid pulling the stem which can easily break. Lightly shake the pot if necessary to loosen the soil.
3. If your plant is growing on a moss pole, remove it along with the plant.
4. Comb through the roots with your fingers to untangle and remove excess soil.
5. Fill a pot one size larger halfway with your preferred potting mix.
6. Hold the syngonium alba (and its moss pole) in place in the center of the pot and fill in around the rootball with more potting mix.
7. Water the repotted plant and place it in a location where it receives bright, indirect light.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Syngonium albo attracts common houseplant pests including scale, aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Remove insects and eggs with a damp cloth and apply horticultural or neem oil for severe infestations.

Myrothecium Leaf Spot

Sensitive to several pathogens, syngonium albo can be affected by myrothecium leaf spots. The fungus causes dark brown spots on leaf margins and should be treated with a fungicide.

Bacterial Leaf and Stem Rot

Bacterial leaf and stem rot show up as dark green spots with yellow rings. Remove affected leaves and cut the stem back to healthy tissue, then treat the entire plant with a bactericide.

Bacterial Blight

If your syngonium albo develops a foul odor, it's a sign of bacterial blight. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this pathogen and the plant should be disposed of.

Common Problems With Syngonium Albo

Drooping Leaves

The large, decorous leaves should be held upright on the stems. When they start to sag with tips noticeably pointing down, the plant may be getting too much water. Check the soil for moisture and withhold water. If the potting mix is extremely soggy, you may need to repot it with fresh soil. It's not uncommon for leaves to droop after repotting. Make sure your plant is located in plenty of bright, indirect light, and keep soil lightly moist to alleviate transplant shock.

Loss of Variegation

Bright indirect light is critical for maintaining variegation that makes syngonium albo unique. When the foliage starts to revert to mostly green, try moving your plant to a spot that receives the correct light throughout the day.

Dry, Brown Leaves and Leaf Edges

Syngonium albo needs a moist tropical environment and can develop dry, brown leaves in an arid environment. Mist your plant a couple times a week, especially during summer months. A pebble tray is another way to increase humidity,