Arrowhead Plant Plant Care
Tristicha trifaria Spreng.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tristicha trifaria is known for its arrow-shaped leaves that have a striking green and white variegation. This plant is native to tropical rainforests, making it thrive in high humidity environments. Plant enthusiasts love Tristicha trifaria for its unique foliage pattern and easy-care nature.
Every 7–10 days
Bright, indirect light underwater
65–85°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Arrowhead Plant?
Water Arrowhead Plant every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright, indirect light underwater. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Arrowhead Plant Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Australia
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Arrowhead Plant?
Arrowhead Plant (Tristicha trifaria) belongs to the Podostemaceae family within the Tristicha genus. Arrowhead Plant is native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, Africa, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and northwestern Australia. Arrowhead Plant is also known as Syngonium podophyllum.
Arrowhead Plant displays a mat-forming aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Arrowhead Plant produces tiny inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Arrowhead Plant?
Tristicha trifaria requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Arrowhead Plant Need?
Arrowhead Plant thrives in bright, indirect light underwater. Avoid placing Arrowhead Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright, indirect light underwater
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Arrowhead Plant Prefer?
Tristicha trifaria grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Arrowhead Plant prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arrowhead Plant?
Aquatic substrate rich in nutrients with good water retention. Good drainage is essential for Arrowhead Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Arrowhead Plant?
Feed Arrowhead Plant every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Arrowhead Plant?
Not applicable, grows submerged in water. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Arrowhead Plant?
Arrowhead Plant can be propagated through division, spores.
Is the Arrowhead Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Arrowhead Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Arrowhead Plant?
Arrowhead Plant is susceptible to algae, aquatic pests. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Arrowhead Plant Need?
Arrowhead Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Arrowhead Plant is native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, Africa, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and northwestern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Arrowhead Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Arrowhead Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Tristicha genus — compare its care with other Tristicha species on PlantoScan.
Tristicha is part of the Podostemaceae plant family — browse all Podostemaceae genera and species.
Arrowhead Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tristicha trifaria Spreng., family Podostemaceae (first published in Syst. Veg. 1: 22 (1824)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Arrowhead Plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
