Arrowhead vine
Syngonium podophyllum (Araceae)
Also called Nephthytis, Green Gold Naphthysis, African Evergreen, Trileaf Wonder.
Cats and dogs
Toxic to cats and dogs
What makes it toxic: Insoluble calcium oxalates.
Signs to watch for: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
Source: ASPCA entry "Arrow-Head Vine", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol
- Medium light 6+ mol Copes
- Bright indirect 10+ mol Best
- Direct sun 12+ mol
Arrowhead vine grows best in bright, indirect light. Avoid full sun, which can burn or bleach the leaves.
Direct sun: best kept out of it.
On our scale it grows well from about 10 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 1.1 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Easy. Water: Keep the soil barely moist.
It is sold in its juvenile arrowhead-leaf form; cutting back climbing stems keeps it bushy.
Pet-safe plants for similar light
- African violet bright indirect light
- Boston fern bright indirect light
- Cape primrose (Streptocarpus) bright indirect light
- Christmas cactus bright indirect light
- Earth star (Cryptanthus) bright indirect light
- Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) bright indirect light
Sources
- Toxicity: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, "Arrow-Head Vine"
- Light and care: Illinois Extension, "Nephthytis | Houseplants"
- Light and care: NC State Extension, "Syngonium podophyllum (Arrowhead Vine)"
- Light and care: Illinois Extension, "Lighting | Houseplants"