Marble Arrowhead Plant

Marble Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum 'Marble') is a vigorous trailing syngonium, 30cm to 40cm high and about 60cm long, with large, deep green arrow shaped leaves marbled with white. No two leaves match: some come out nearly all green, some nearly all white and many split between the two. That variety is the whole point of the plant.

Why you'll love it

• Maximum variegation. Deep green leaves are splashed and marbled with white in a different pattern every time.
• Large leaves. The leaves are large for a syngonium, so the markings are easy to see from across a room.
• A vigorous trailer. It grows strongly and trails to about 60cm, so it fills a hanging basket quickly.
• Colour develops with age. Leaf colour builds as each leaf matures, which makes watching it grow part of the appeal.
• Made for shade. It wants a humid, shady spot with indirect light, indoors or in a sheltered tropical garden.

Where it works best

Hanging baskets. This is an excellent basket plant. The vigorous stems trail over the edge and the marbling shows from every angle.

Indoor displays. Set it on a high shelf or plant stand in bright, indirect light and let the stems hang.

Shaded patios and tropical gardens. In frost free gardens use it as an underplanting beneath taller plants, spaced 50cm apart, where it spreads into a mottled cover.

Growing Marble Arrowhead Plant in Australia

Position and climate. Humid shade with indirect light suits it. Bright indirect light keeps the white markings clean, while strong direct sun scorches them. It is frost tender, so grow it outdoors in tropical and subtropical gardens only, and indoors in cooler climates.

Soil. Free draining soil or a good quality potting mix. Make sure the pot has drainage holes, since wet roots cause more losses than any other mistake.

Water and feed. Water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then only when the soil seems dry. Feed with a liquid fertiliser at half rate every few weeks while it establishes, then occasionally. It likes humidity, so a spritz on the foliage helps indoors.

Pruning. Remove old leaves for a quick tidy up and cut back any stems that sprawl further than you want. Leaves that come out all green or all white are normal in a marbled plant. Syngonium is mildly toxic if chewed and the sap can irritate skin, so wash your hands after handling it and keep it away from pets and small children.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Marble as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. The leaf colour develops as the leaves mature, so a young plant looks plainer than a mature one. Pot it into a quality potting mix and keep it in bright, indirect light.

Our tubes come straight from the grower and are not always available. If there are none today, the tube shows as sold out here, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More variegated plants
• Browse all house and indoor plants
• Plants for balconies and covered patios
• How to keep your indoor plants alive

Common questions

Will every leaf be marbled the same?

No, and that is the charm. Leaves vary from nearly all green to nearly all white, with plenty of marbled and speckled ones between. The pattern develops as each leaf matures.

How big does Marble get?

About 30cm to 40cm high with stems trailing to roughly 60cm. It is vigorous, so trim long stems if it outgrows its spot.

Is it toxic?

Yes, mildly. Syngonium is mildly toxic if chewed and the sap can irritate skin, so wash your hands after handling it and keep it away from pets and small children.