Do you love pink plants? Syngonium Neon Robusta’ is an ever-green climber belonging to Africa. The plant is a popular indoor decorative vine and forms hanging baskets, terrariums, and table pots.
The leaves have an iridescent pink shade on the upper side with pure green color underneath. Arrow-head juvenile leaves grow to get a mature multi-lobed appearance. The compact plant body grows dense, branch-less stems having aerial roots or nodes for climbing. This low-maintenance and easy-to-propagate plant is suitable even for beginners.
Let us learn more about the Syngonium Neon Robusta plant along with its care and propagation.
Syngonium Neon Robusta Classification
Family: Araceae.
Subfamily: Aroid.
Genus: Syngonium.
Species: S. podophyllum.
Cultivar: Neon Robusta.
Thus, the complete botanical name of the plant is Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’.
Genus Syngonium
The word ‘Syngonium’ is derived from the Greek language, referring to the fused ovaries of the female plants. This is a genus of flowering aroids, closely related to the sister genus Philodendron. They belong to the tropical rain forests of Mexico, West Indies, and America.
These plants have unique transformational foliage. As the plant matures, the juvenile leaves grow and get more lobed. The typical arrow-like shape of the leaves gives the common name “arrow-head plants” to the Syngonium.
The genus majorly comprises houseplants and around 20-meter long woody vines. However, in the absence of growing space, the plants remain short and the leaves don’t grow out of their juvenile stage. Moreover, these plants bear ovoid, multigire, and fragrant fruit.
The informal division of the genus on the bases of leaf structures is as under:
- Cordatum
- Oblongatum.
- Pinnatilobum.
- Syngonium.
Syngonium Neon Robusta Parentage
This plant occurred naturally as a branch mutation of the plant Syngonium podophyllum cultivar Neon. It is a recent invention, in the middle of the year 2003. After the introduction, the plant was asexually propagated in Apoka to produce true-to-type offspring of the parent plant.
The leaves of the parent plant, the cultivar Neon are comparatively lighter in shade. This is the basic differentiating feature between the New Syngonium and its parent cultivar Neon.
Syngonium Neon Robusta Common Names
- Five Fingers.
- Arrowhead vine.
- American / African Evergreen plant.
Features of Syngonium Neon Robusta Plant
Structure and Size
- The plant has an upright, symmetrical, dense, and bushy growth pattern.
- The height of a mature plant is around 20 cm.
- The spread or width of the plant body is around 35 cm.
Leaves and Roots
- The length of a mature leaf ranges between 7to10 cm with a width of around 8 cm.
- The plant has adventitious roots or nodes on the stem. Moreover, it has a strong underground rooting system, just like other Syngonium plants.
Clumps
- The new Syngonium grows by clumps. These can even be separated for propagation.
Growth Rate
- They grow at an averagely vigorous growth rate.
Dormancy
Just like other Aroids, this plant gets slow growth in winter. So, don’t worry, because your Robusta is pretty fine. It is just sleeping and will start to flourish as soon as spring arrives.
Toxicity
Is my Neon Robusta plant Toxic? Yes! Crystals of calcium oxalate are present in all parts of this plant body. These are highly toxic to humans and animals. Ingestion may lead to health issues like allergy, salivation, and ulceration of the mouth, lips, and throat. Thus, we always recommend keeping your pets and kids away from Syngonium plants.
Syngonium Neon Robusta Care
Water Requirement
These plants have a medium tolerance for droughts. However, they usually love moist soil. A simple strategy for summer is to water thoroughly after the upper layer of soil gets about 70% dry. However, in winter, water right after the soil gets completely dry. Twice a week in summer and once in two weeks in winter is an estimated frequency.
Importantly, always avoid over-watering. Soggy soil is highly unsuitable for these plants and may lead to fungus and root rot.
Sunlight Requirement
Semi-shade with indirect sunlight is the ideal condition for the plant. Howbeit, the Syngoniums are usually resistant to a variety of light conditions including a well-lit shady area. The complete shade is not bearable by the plant. Possible symptoms of inadequate light include leggy stems and foliage discolouration. If you see these features in your plant, consider shifting to a well-lit area right away.
Importantly, always avoid keeping the plant in direct sunlight. As this may burn the delicate Robusta leaves.
Temperature Requirement
The optimal temperature range for the plant is 60 to 85 °F.( 15 to 29 °C). These plants are not frosted hardy. Thus, prefer keeping them in a warm area as soon as the days get cold.
Humidity Requirement
Being naïve to rainforests, these plants are humidity lovers. About 70% humidity in the air shows good results for the foliage. You can manage the dry days by mild misting. Moreover, you can place a pebble-water tray under the plot. However, avoid keeping the plants wet for long.
Soil Requirement
This plant needs a rich, well-drained, and light substrate. Potting mixes are better and light as compared to the potting soils. You can also mix a store-bought potting mix with a peat-based medium.
Fertilizer Requirement
Additional nutrients will show good effects on plant health. March to September; use a houseplant fertilizer once a month. Howbeit, fertilizer is not much required by the Neon Robusta, during the cold months(October to February).
Pot Requirements
The climber needs a supporting totem in the pot to climb on it. The climbing roots or nodes help the plant to climb over the nearby support. In absence of support, the plant may also climb and get attached to a nearby wall.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the base.
Pruning Requirements
You can remove a few branches from the lower area in order to maintain the appearance. Spring and summer are suitable for pruning. We don’t recommend pruning in winter when the plant is in a dormant state.
Growth Zone
The ideal growth zone for the plant is USDA 10a- 11.
Syngonium Neon Robusta Propagation
Arrow-head vines are easy to propagate even for beginners. The easiest way to propagate the Neon Robusta Syngonium is by stem-tip(Shoot) cutting.
Propagation by shoot-Cuttings
Just take a 5 to 7 inches stem-tip cutting. Remove a few leaves from the lower side. Plant the cutting in a moist prepared substrate. Make sure there are at least three nodes under the soil to allow root development.
Water Propagation
You can also propagate the plant in water. Just dip the shoot-cuttings in a container with water. Make sure 2-3 nodes are present under the water.
Roots development will start in about 3 to 4 weeks. After the root development, you can even transfer the water dweller to the soil.
Syngonium Neon Robusta for Sale
Do you want a pink plant for yourself? You can also surprise your girlfriend/ wife or any loved one by gifting this plant. Surprisingly, pink beauty is available on Amazon. Just get it on your doorstep! Or, make Amazon deliver it to anyone you like by following the link below.
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Summary
Neon Robusta Syngonium is a cultivar of the Syngonium Neon plant. This plant is popularly grown indoors for its beautiful foliage. The green arrow-shaped leaves with prominent pink shade on the upper surface grow on branch-less stems. The lowers sides of the leaves are green.
The Syngonium Neon Robusta Care includes semi-shade and thorough watering after the soil gets dry. This is a moderately vigorous grower, low-maintenance, and easy to propagate. Importantly, keep your kids and pets away from the toxic Syngonium Neon Robusta plant.
