Commonly known as the “White Butterfly” or the “White Arrowhead,” the Syngonium White Butterfly is a houseplant belonging to the arrowhead vine family. This semi-tropical perennial can be found in Central and South America and is an excellent houseplant for beginners due to its low maintenance and aesthetic appeal.
Like its arrowhead cousins, the Syngonium White Butterfly is named for its leaves, which resemble butterfly wings and are light green. A full-sized White Arrowhead can grow up to 18 to 24 inches in width and height and make a beautiful addition to any interior.
General Care
The Syngonium White Butterfly is pretty easy to care for. Like all houseplants, though, there are several care tips worth noting to ensure your plant’s growth and wellbeing:
1. Lighting
The White Butterfly can handle a range of lighting conditions. However, exposure to partial shade or bright, filtered light is optimal. Always keep your plant out of direct sunlight, as this causes leaf burn and discoloration.
2. Soil
A rich, well-drained potting soil is the best choice for your White Butterfly plant. Choosing a porous soil mix will help your plant maintain good health and encourage more leaf growth during the growing season. To help stimulate the soil and provide extra nutrients for your White Butterfly, use peat or compost to increase drainage with your organic material.
3. Water
Watering your Syngonium can be a challenge, as they thrive off of moisture but can easily be overwatered. Too much water will result in yellow leaves and root rot, so it’s best to wait until the soil is dry to the touch between waterings.
Also, the hotter it is, the faster your plant will dry out, so your White Arrowhead’s water routine will largely depend on where you live. Ultimately, there is no exact amount of water you should give your plant right off the bat. To determine how much water your White Butterfly needs, water it once a week, letting the pot drain completely before putting the plant away. You can also try bottom watering this plant as well.
4. Temperature and Humidity
Syngonium enjoys temperatures ranging from 61-70 degrees Fahrenheit. You should never allow the temperature to drop below 55, as this could be detrimental to your plant.
Best location for Syngonium White Butterfly Indoors
Controlled humidity is an essential part of your Syngonium White Butterfly care plan, and this plant needs lots of it. You can best achieve high humidity by investing in a humidifier and placing it near the White Butterfly. Alternatively, you can keep your plant in the kitchen or bathroom, where humidity is naturally higher.
5. Fertilizer
Using a diluted houseplant fertilizer or all-purpose fertilizer is ideal for healthy plant growth. Fertilize your Syngonium once every two weeks during the springtime growing season. In the fall and winter, your Syngonium will be dormant, so you won’t need to fertilize.
Flowering & Fragrance
White Arrowheads are not very likely to grow flowers indoors, but the blossoms of a mature plant resemble a Peace Lily, are greenish-white in color, and have little to no fragrance. Their subtle hue makes for a beautiful home decor accent and can add a touch of elegance to any space!
EXTRA CARE
1. Pruning
Syngonium plants are climbers, meaning their stems like support from tall objects as they grow in length. If you don’t cut down excess foliage, your plant might develop creepers or leaves that climb out of the space you’ve made for it. Pruning is an effective way to prevent plant overgrowth and retain the winged shape of its leaves.
Pruning is best done at the beginning of the growing season or during the summer months when new foliage begins to grow. This will encourage healthy plant growth and a good start to the season.
2. Potting & Repotting
Given that this plant thrives in well-draining soil, choosing a pot that features a drainage hole at the bottom is crucial. In addition, be sure to use a pot made from porous materials, such as terracotta or ceramic. If your White Butterfly is on the tall side and you don’t feel like cutting it down, adding a trellis to the pot will give its vines ample space and support for climbing.
You should repot Syngonium every one to two years, replacing the soil at the beginning of each growing season. Repotting your plant at the beginning of the growing season is crucial to ensure it retains any nutrients or energy lost in the moving process. You can also divide the plant during this time if you prefer keeping your White Arrowhead in a smaller pot.
3. Propagating
Division is the easiest way to propagate Syngonium and, as mentioned previously, is best to do while repotting.
To propagate your plant, identify a new growth shoot with a few leaves and clip an inch beneath the stem nodes. You can root cuttings in either water or straight into potting compost, as both work equally as well.
Common Problems
Although a healthy White Arrowhead is resistant to pests and diseases, sick plants can experience root rot. This is generally caused by overwatering or over-fertilizing, giving your plant a dark color and mushy texture.
To combat a case of root rot, discard the infected soil and repot your Syngonium with a fresh batch of well-drained soil. Also, be sure to prune off any sick leaves and thoroughly disinfect the old pot.
Toxicity
The Syngonium White Butterfly’s high levels of calcium oxalate make the plant mildly toxic to humans and animals, causing difficulty swallowing, drooling, gastric complications, and other issues when ingested. If you have children or pets, it’s best to keep your White Arrowhead out of their reach!
Additionally, its sap can cause skin irritation, so it is advised to wear gloves when handling your plant.
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