The Syngonium White Butterfly is best known by the common name of arrowhead vine. Syngonium podophyllum is an attractive houseplant on its own. The white butterfly cultivar adds even more beauty to the Araceae family.
Syngonium hails from Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, and temperate regions in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Syngoniums have become highly popular with indoor plant enthusiasts throughout the US.
Syngonium White Butterfly and its cultivars have many common names, including:
- African evergreen
- American evergreen
- Arrowhead philodendron
- Arrowhead plant
- Arrowhead vine
- Five fingers
- Goosefoot plant
- Green-old Nephthytis
- Nephthytis
- Tri-leaf wonder
Nephthytis is the name of a similar species. There is frequent confusion between the two. This has led to the interchangeable use of its name for Syngonium plants.
The popular white butterfly Syngonium is one of several Syngonium cultivars showcasing variegated foliage. It is highly popular due to its tolerance of various environments and physical appearance.
Syngonium White Butterfly Quick Care Tips
- Botanical Name: Syngonium podophyllum ‘White Butterfly’
- Common Name(s): Syngonium White Butterfly, Arrowhead Vine, African evergreen, American evergreen, Arrowhead philodendron. Arrowhead plant, Five fingers, Goosefoot plant ,Green-old Nephthytis, Nephthytis, Tri-leaf wonder
- Synonyms: N/A
- Pronunciation: sin-GO-nee-um po-do-FIL-um
- Family & Origin: Araceae family, native to Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, Asia, Europe, and North America
- Growability: Easy to grow
- Grow Zone: USDA zones 9-10
- Size: Can grow up to 3′ to 6’ feet tall and 1′ to 2’ feet tall
- Flowering: Rarely flowers indoors
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Humidity: High humidity preferred
- Temperature: 60° and 75° degrees Fahrenheit
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix
- Water: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil is dry
- Fertilizer: Feed with 1/2-strength all-purpose fertilizer every two weeks during the spring and summer
- Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to aphids, bacterial leaf spot, mealybugs, root rot, scale, and spider mites. It can also be affected by root rot if overwatered.
- Propagation: Can be propagated through stem cuttings or division
- Plant Uses: Great for adding a tropical touch to indoor spaces, can also be used in terrariums or as a hanging plant.
Syngonium White Butterfly Care
White Butterfly Plant Size and Growth
When allowed to grow, the white butterfly Syngonium can achieve a length of 3′ to 6’ feet and a spread of 1′ to 2’ feet.
The length and direction of growth depend upon whether the plant is supported by a trellis or pole or grown as a hanging plant.
A white butterfly plant lacking support or gravity grows more compact and tangled.
As the leaves of Syngonium white butterfly reach maturity, they give the plant a varied and unique appearance.
New leaves are heart-shaped, generally silvery-white to the cream core with dark green edging.
As Syngonium leaves mature, they change into the famous butterfly arrowhead shape. This is until the leaves take on a final lobed appearance and length of 5″ to 14” inches long.
Coloration and pattern vary over time. The majority of the leaves range from greenish-white to white, creamy white, or silvery white.
White Butterfly Arrowheads Plants Flowering and Fragrance
When grown indoors, Syngonium white butterfly will rarely blossom.
When a mature white butterfly arrowhead plant blooms, they appear as small greenish-white flowers on a thick spadex. This later gives way to red or brown-black berries.
Light and Temperature
The white butterfly Syngonium plant can handle a wide range of light conditions.
In fluorescent or low light – the white leaves bring welcome color to an office or similar setting. But, its variegation might fade over time.
Medium light or bright indirect light is ideal for the plant’s leaves to remain their best.
So avoid direct sunlight, as this may cause leaf burn.
This tropical white butterfly arrowhead plant does well in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 10.
Keep the climbing plant at temperatures between 60° and 75° degrees Fahrenheit.
The butterfly Syngonium makes a far better houseplant than a garden plant.
NOTE: The Syngonium plant group is among the most heat-tolerant foliage plants.
White Butterfly Plant Watering and Feeding
While the white arrowhead prefers to stay moist, too much water can be detrimental.
Allow the surface to become dry to the touch between waterings during the growing season. Allow the soil to dry slightly deeper for autumn and winter.
The true key to a happy arrowhead plant is higher humidity. Moreover, ensure 60% humidity levels for this plant. You can employ misting, grouping plants, humidifiers, misting, and pebble trays to increase humidity.
Misting hanging plants or sitting a container plant on a bed of wet pebbles will work wonders for your plant’s health. This will help prevent leaf browning if you forget to water it.
Keeping a white butterfly plant in the kitchen or bathroom where it’s naturally more humid can also be a great solution.
Feed white butterflies with a 1/2-strength all-purpose fertilizer every two weeks during the spring and summer growing seasons. Cut back to monthly in winter.
Moreover, you can apply a slow-release fertilizer or top-dress the soil with compost or worm castings in early spring.
A half-strength indoor plant liquid fertilizer once a month will also work well.
White Butterfly Arrowhead Plant Soil and Transplanting
Any rich, well-drained potting mix will work for the Syngonium White Butterfly. Choosing a soil mix with good aeration will help ensure a healthier plant.
If you have poor soil, you can amend it with orchid bark, perlite, or peat to improve aeration and drainage.
You must repot the white butterfly arrowhead plant once every 1 to 2 years and replace the soil every spring.
Repotting is the perfect time to divide plants. The white butterfly will be happy in a small pot for several years.
Moving to the next pot size (with a drainage hole) can sometimes encourage more vigorous growth.
Ensure the plant gets enough indirect sunlight to be happy.
Grooming and Maintenance
Pinching new growth of Syngonium podophyllum ‘White Butterfly’ will help keep the white butterfly plant compact and full.
Pruning any climbing stems will help keep the juvenile leaf shape.
You may also wish to trim creepers when in a home with children or pets to help restrict access.
Moreover, keep your plants away from drafts and doorways during the winter months.
How To Propagate Syngonium ‘White Butterfly’?
The division is the easiest method of propagation, especially when repotting.
Stem cuttings may also be used when clipped an inch below stem nodes.
Root the cuttings in water, dip them into a rooting hormone, and place them directly in a potting mix.
White Butterfly Syngonium Pests or Diseases
Healthy plants are resistant to pests and diseases. A sick plant may suffer many problems, including:
- Aphids
- Bacterial leaf spot
- Mealybugs
- Root rot
- Scale
- Spider mites
These indoor vines are considered invasive in Florida.
It is also mildly toxic due to its high calcium oxalate content.
If ingested, this may cause:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Drooling
- Gastric distress
- Kidney stones
- Swelling
- Vomiting
… in cats, dogs, or humans, the effects are more intense in horses.
The sap may cause skin irritation. Gloves are generally advised when handling the plant.
Related: More on Is The Arrowhead Plant Poisonous?
Suggested Syngonium White Butterfly Uses
The White Butterfly Syngonium is suited for life in a hanging basket. Syngonium White Butterfly thrives best in a kitchen or bathroom but will brighten any part of your home.
The ability of the white butterfly plant to grow in artificial light allows its white and green leaves to bring life to an office.
