How to care for syngonium (tropical liana) at home

Among flower growers, syngonium, a liana flower with rich green leaves on long petioles, has become famous for its decorativeness and unpretentiousness. Caring for syngonium is a fascinating activity. This plant refreshes the interior in every sense: the room where the syngonium grows is always easy to breathe, and its green foliage decorates the space. How to grow a liana at home, are there any difficulties in growing? Why the plant is interesting and why you should pay attention to it - read in this publication.

Description, features

Syngonium is a herbaceous perennial plant. This is a fast-growing vine, the stem of which clings to the support with aerial roots. In the absence of support, the syngonium beautifully spreads along the ground. The average shoot height is 1.2-2 m; in the wild there are vines up to 20 m in length.

Along the entire stem, arrow-shaped leaves grow from convex nodes. Their color depends on the variety of syngonium. The plant produces 6-7 new leaves per year. At a young age, the leaf blade remains intact, but in older specimens it is divided into several parts. The surface of the leaf can be smooth or velvety, decorated with convex veins in the center and edges.

Syngonium belongs to the Araceae family. In total there are up to 33 species of syngonium.The plant's homeland is Central and South America; it grows in tropical forests, climbing towards the light along the powerful trunks of neighboring trees. Flowering of syngonium, unfortunately, is observed only in its natural habitat. When grown at home, the lack of flowering is compensated by the beauty of the leaves.

Types and varieties

Of the variety of species, only a few are suitable for home floriculture.

• Syngonium auricular, or ear-shaped (Syngonium auritum) - evergreen liana. Aerial roots form in the internodes on the adult stems of the plant. On the petioles there are large glossy leaves of rich green color. The length of the petioles is no more than 40 cm. Young leaves have an oval shape and two ears per petiole. Old leaves have three large lobes and two small ones.

• Syngonium podophyllum in room conditions it grows up to 1.5, sometimes 2 m. It has large glossy leaves of a light green hue (some varieties have yellow and pink spots and veins). With age, the leaves transform into palmate leaves, with up to 11 lobes on each blade. Some syngoniums retain an arrow-shaped leaf shape throughout their life. Interesting varieties: White Butterfly (bushy), Pixie (dwarf vine), Neon (pink leaf surface), Panda (light spots on the leaf plate).

• Syngonium wendlandii - a bushy vine of medium height. Large leaves on thick petioles look like an arrow with three tips. The surface of the leaf plate is green, velvety, the central part is painted light green.

• Syngonium Regina Red - characteristic pink color of the leaves.

• Syngonium Imperial White - a vine whose leaves grow with large white spots, sometimes completely white. The high nitrogen content in the soil helps maintain the unusual color. But beauty requires sacrifice: such leaves quickly die, and propagation of the variety is problematic.

Care

Growing syngonium at home is not at all difficult. A resident of the tropics needs minimal care. First of all, it will need diffused lighting, since in its natural environment it is shaded by tall trees. The best place would be window sills facing east or west. Syngonium varieties with dark green leaves grow comfortably in partial shade, but brightly colored species need more light, otherwise the leaves fade and become normal green. In winter, with a lack of light, the flower often fades, so provide it with long daylight hours using an artificial lamp.

The plant tolerates temperature changes well, which is unusual given its tropical origins. Although the flower will tolerate temperatures dropping to +10, it is still better to maintain optimal conditions: up to +18 in winter and up to +24 in summer. This is especially true for variegated varieties; they can die from a sudden change in temperature. What syngonium really doesn’t like is drafts: try to protect it from direct air currents.

Watering and humidity rules:

1. The plant is moisture-loving. Each subsequent watering is carried out as the top layer of soil dries. It is advisable not to allow drying deeper than 2-3 cm.
2. Complete drying of the substrate is dangerous: the plant may wither.
3. It is advisable to leave water for irrigation for 2-3 days. Water temperature is room temperature or 2-3 degrees warmer.
4. The plant needs spraying, especially in winter, when the air is dry due to the heating system. One spray per day is enough.
5. Once a month you are allowed to bathe the plant in a warm shower.
6. Periodically wipe the syngonium leaves with a damp cloth to protect them from dust.

Advice
Wiping the leaves is best done in summer, spraying in winter.

Syngonium will not refuse feeding; this is done in spring and summer. Liquid mineral fertilizers with a low calcium content are suitable for decorative foliage plants. Fertilizers are applied to the soil once every 2-3 weeks at some distance from the stems. There is no need to feed the flower in winter.

Transfer

Young plants require replanting annually. It is enough for adult vines to change their place of residence once every 2-3 years. A sign that the vine needs replanting is that the roots begin to poke out of the drainage holes. The transplantation procedure is carried out in the spring. The soil for syngonium should be:

• neutral or slightly acidic,
• loose,
• nutritious.

Ready-made soil mixtures are available for sale. To make your own substrate, take:

• leaf soil - 2 parts;
• turf soil - 2 parts;
• peat - 2 parts;
• sand - 1 part.

The pot for transplanting is taken a little larger than the previous one. The presence of drainage holes is mandatory, as is the drainage layer. Therefore, add a fresh drainage layer to the bottom of the container: expanded clay, river pebbles, crushed stone, gravel or pieces of polystyrene foam. Layer thickness - 1-3 cm.

The roots of the plant are straightened, placed in a pot and covered with substrate. The earth needs to be lightly crushed. Transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method, that is, without clearing the clod of earth from the roots. This allows you to keep the thin roots intact.

Reproduction

Reproduction at home is carried out only by vegetative means:

• apical cuttings,
• aerial cuttings,
• parts of the escape.

Shoots for transplantation are taken only if they have two or more buds, regardless of the time of year. However, spring and summer seedlings take root much better. The cutting is carefully separated from the main shoot using a sharp knife. Then you need to root it. There are two ways to do this:

1. You need to dissolve an activated carbon tablet in warm water. If desired, a growth stimulator is added. The roots of the syngonium cuttings appear quite quickly. When the cutting takes root, it is planted in a moist substrate. It is necessary to create greenhouse conditions for the young plant to take root. To do this, cover the pot with a glass or plastic bag. Do not forget to ventilate the plant from time to time.
2. The cut of the cutting is treated with a growth stimulator, then the young seedling is sent directly to the pot with the substrate. During rooting, the pot must be covered with film or a bag. This will reduce moisture evaporation. It is recommended to plant young syngoniums at a temperature of about +25. When the cutting takes root, the cover is removed and the seedling is grown as an adult plant.

Growing problems, diseases

Syngonium has good immunity, but if not properly cared for, it is often exposed to pests. What to watch out for when growing:

1. Aphids attack. Getting rid of this insect is quite simple: the plant is completely wiped with soapy water. If there are several flowers in the home collection, then the rest are also treated as a preventive measure. If necessary, the procedure is repeated after a few days.If the aphids do not leave the syngonium, then insecticides are used. Be careful when using chemicals, always follow the instructions and use protective gloves.
2. The insidious scale insect easily settles on both the outer and inner surfaces of the leaf. Therefore, you should often inspect the plant from all sides. If a parasite is found, it is destroyed with an insecticide.
3. A sign that thrips has set its sights on the plant are white dots on the leaf blade. Apply insecticide.
4. Spider mites are destroyed like aphids. Only re-treatment should be carried out after 2 days.

Improper care is highly likely to provoke the following diseases of tropical plants:

1. The leaves are turning yellow. Inspect the plant for rotting. If rot is not detected, then the reason is a lack of nutrients.
2. The tips of the leaves dry out - a clear sign of insufficient air humidity. The problem can be solved by spraying or installing a humidifier. A good move is to place a pot with a vine near the aquarium.
3. The leaves turn yellow and wither, the roots rot - you have over-moistened the substrate. The plant requires replanting, removal of dead roots and their treatment with potassium permanganate (disinfection).
4. The roots dry out and die. It is necessary to cut off the dead areas, place the roots in water for a while, then plant the syngonium in a new substrate. The drainage layer must also be fresh.
5. The leaves have lost their color saturation and shine. This occurs due to excess moisture in the air and soil.
6. Young leaves do not grow as large as old ones. Increase the amount of light, do not forget about fertilizing.
7. If variegated varieties lose color or become normal green, then you need to increase the amount of light.

Precautions and Tips

You need to know this when growing syngonium:

1. When the leaf shell is damaged, a poisonous milky sap is released, which causes irritation to the skin and mucous membranes. Always carry out work wearing protective gloves. Block access to the vine for pets and children. It is thanks to the poisonous sap that the plant is rarely attacked by pests.
2. On a bright sunny day, it is better to remove the pot 1.5-2 m from the window so that the flower does not get burned.
3. The plant's shower should not be too cold or too hot.
4. Think about supports for the vine in advance. During planting, you can install the support directly into the flowerpot: this will help avoid unnecessary difficulties when transporting the vine.
5. The magazine purity-en.htgetrid.com does not recommend placing syngonium near windows and radiators.
6. As for the formation of the bush, along with installing the support, pinching the upper shoots (above 6-7 leaves) is used. This will make the plant bushier. After pinching, young lateral shoots sometimes appear even on an old shoot. Don’t be afraid to shorten shoots that are too long; syngonium tolerates pruning well.
7. The syngonium will grow without support. Place the pots at a low height so that the vines hang freely.
8. To get more lush growth, plant 2 or 3 cuttings in one pot.

What are the benefits of a flower?

There are a lot of superstitions around the syngonium, some of which directly contradict each other. Folk signs say the following:

1. If you place the syngonium in the house where a sick person lives, the illness will recede. The plant is able to put those who suffer from pathologies that are incurable, according to official medicine, back on their feet.
2. According to the horoscope, the syngonium belongs to Virgos.Its main role in human health is its beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Syngonium is a good helper in the fight against bad habits. The plant strengthens the character of its owner.
4. Liana promotes good physical and mental development. With its help, complexes associated with education are overcome. A person begins to be interested in self-development, broadens his horizons, and is not afraid to express his own opinion.
5. The plant helps “become simpler.” People with a difficult character, skeptics and bores will benefit from caring for syngonium.
6. If you place a pot of liana in the bedroom, it will ensure a restful sleep without nightmares. Another property of the flower: it helps not to get hung up on unpleasant emotions.
7. A controversial property of syngonium: in the house where the plant lives, a woman does not get along with a man. However, according to many observations, in happy families the syngonium takes pride of place on the windowsill.
8. Growing syngonium will be useful in a house where there is a person who does not accept change and has a love for everything outdated. The plant will help people who have lost interest in progress and sigh about the wonderful past.

To believe or not to believe popular fiction is everyone’s personal choice. What syngonium is really useful for is its ability to absorb fumes of hazardous substances - formaldehyde, xylene and others. The flower saturates the room with oxygen and normalizes air humidity. A plant that has not only a decorative function, but also a healing one, will be a worthy inhabitant of your apartment.