Care Guide
Red Arrowhead
Syngonium Podophyllum Var White Butterfly
Care at a Glance
Lighting
Moderate
Growth Rate
Moderate
Growth Form
Rosette
Placement
N/A
True Aquatic
Terrestrial plant
Available As
Potted
About This Plant
Syngonium podophyllum var. 'White Butterfly' is a lovely terrestrial plant that works well either as a house plant or in a large terrarium. It is also a lovely, colorful accent at pond side in warm weather.
Quick-Reference Details
- Common name
- Red Arrowhead
- Scientific name
- Syngonium Podophyllum Var White Butterfly
- Family
- Aracea
- Native to
- Central and South America
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Requirements
- Undemanding
- Lighting
- Moderate
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Growth form
- Rosette
- Placement
- N/A
- True aquatic
- Terrestrial plant
- Available as
- Potted
Difficulty — Advanced
Performs best with strong lighting, CO2 supplementation, and stable water parameters. Not recommended as a first plant.
CO2 & Fertilization
CO2 is optional. Growth improves with supplementation, but the plant survives and stays presentable without it.
Tank Size & Setup
Plan for at least 20 gallons. Rosette plants spread a foot or wider once established and need vertical room.
Aquascaping & Placement
Position to suit your aquascape — most placements work as long as light reaches the leaves. Plant the root crown just at the substrate surface. Burying the crown causes the plant to push itself back up over a few days.
Tank-Mate Compatibility
Best suited to paludariums, riparium displays, and pond margins rather than fully submerged community tanks.
Common Care Issues
Decline after a few months underwater
This species is not a true aquatic and slowly declines when permanently submerged. Move it to a humid emersed setup (paludarium, terrarium, pond margin) for several months to rejuvenate.
Slow initial growth
Most aquarium plants pause for 2-4 weeks after planting while they convert from their nursery-grown emersed form to fully submerged growth. New leaves that emerge underwater will look thinner and slightly different — this is the plant adapting, not a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light does Red Arrowhead need?
Red Arrowhead (Syngonium Podophyllum Var White Butterfly) prefers moderate lighting. A standard planted-tank LED fixture run 7-9 hours a day is typical.
Does Red Arrowhead need CO2?
CO2 is optional. Growth improves with supplementation, but the plant survives and stays presentable without it.
Is Red Arrowhead good for beginners?
Red Arrowhead is rated advanced-level. Performs best with strong lighting, CO2 supplementation, and stable water parameters. Not recommended as a first plant.
How fast does Red Arrowhead grow?
Growth rate is moderate. Most aquarists trim every 3-4 weeks under standard conditions.
What fish and invertebrates are compatible with Red Arrowhead?
Best suited to paludariums, riparium displays, and pond margins rather than fully submerged community tanks.
Can Red Arrowhead live fully submerged long-term?
No. Red Arrowhead is not a true aquatic plant and slowly declines after a few months underwater. Use it as a temporary display piece in an aquarium, or grow it permanently in a paludarium, riparium, or pond margin where the leaves can reach air.