Syngonium Neon Robusta

Overview

Finding a truly pink houseplant usually means committing to the high-maintenance, diva-like demands of a Calathea or a Stromanthe. If you want the shocking pop of neon pink without the stress, the Pink Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum 'Neon Robusta') is the ultimate solution.

This rapidly growing cultivar of the classic Arrowhead Vine features spade-shaped leaves that emerge in a brilliant, glowing, iridescent pink. The undersides of the leaves remain a contrasting dark green. It is incredibly resilient, highly forgiving of missed waterings, and completely unbothered by standard indoor humidity. The only catch? It is a voracious climber. It starts life as a cute, bushy desk plant, but within a year, it will shoot out long, trailing vines that will take over your bookshelf.

Light Requirements: Keeping the Pink

Light is the absolute most critical factor in caring for a Neon Robusta. The intense pink pigmentation is an active response to bright light. If you place the plant in a low-light corner, it will realize it is starving. To compensate, it will flood its leaves with green chlorophyll to maximize photosynthesis. Within a few months, your stunning pink plant will fade into a dull, muddy green.

To maintain the shocking pink color, place the plant directly in front of a bright, east-facing or north-facing window. However, avoid placing it in blazing, direct afternoon sun, which will scorch the delicate leaves and bleach the pink color entirely.

Watering: Erring on the Dry Side

The Pink Arrowhead is highly forgiving of drought but incredibly susceptible to root rot if overwatered. You must allow the top 2 to 3 inches of the potting soil to dry out completely before you water. If you forget to water it, the thin leaves will dramatically droop, acting as a perfect thirst indicator.

When the soil is properly dry, soak the pot thoroughly until water flows out the drainage holes, but ensure it never sits in a saucer of standing water. If the lowest leaves turn a sickly yellow and feel mushy, you are drowning the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

As a tropical plant, it requires warm indoor temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C - 29°C). Keep it far away from cold winter drafts and air conditioning vents; temperatures below 55°F (12°C) can cause permanent cellular damage. Fortunately, its slightly waxy leaves make it perfectly adaptable to the standard 40% to 50% humidity found in most centrally heated homes, meaning no humidifier is required.

Soil and Potting

Because the roots rot easily, a fast-draining aroid mix is essential. Standard indoor potting soil should be amended with 30% perlite and coarse orchid bark to ensure excess water drains away rapidly and the roots get plenty of oxygen. Because it grows so quickly, you may need to repot it every spring.

The "Leggy" Vine Problem

The most common complaint about Syngoniums is that they look "messy" as they age. They naturally want to climb trees. As the plant matures, it will shoot out long, stringy vines that fall over the edge of the pot.

You have three choices: give the plant a moss pole or trellis to climb, place it in a hanging basket and let it trail downward, or grab some scissors. If you want to keep the plant looking like a compact, bushy desk plant, you must ruthlessly prune off the trailing vines every few months. (You can root these cuttings in water to make brand new plants!)

Toxicity

Like all plants in the Araceae family, the Pink Arrowhead contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. If chewed by cats, dogs, or children, these microscopic crystals embed in the soft tissues of the mouth and throat, causing severe burning, swelling, drooling, and vomiting. Keep the trailing vines safely out of reach.