There seems to be an almost endless variety of houseplants you can choose from for your home. With all these beautiful choices before you, it can be hard to differentiate between them. It can also make it challenging to decide which houseplant is right for you.
The Syngonium Neon Robusta, also known as the arrowhead plant, is a beautiful houseplant that maybe you have never heard of. If you are a lover of pink plants, this is the plant for you as it has gorgeous dusty pink leaves that change shape as the leaves grow and mature.
In this article, we will go over how to identify and care for the Syngonium Neon Robusta. We will also be comparing the Syngonium Neon Robusta to two other members of the Syngonium family, so you choose the Synongium that is right for you!
Contents
Identifying the Syngonium Neon Robusta
As mentioned in the introduction, the Syngonium Neon Robusta has beautiful dusty pink leaves, making them easy to identify. So what we are identifying in this section is the age of this plant when you purchase it.
We know that our looks will change over time as we get older. It is the same for this plant! When the leaves of this plant are young, they have a distinctive arrowhead shape. But as this plant matures, the leaves start to separate and become multi-lobed, meaning they divide into several fingerlike shapes. As this plant grows, you can have leaves that are arrowhead shape and multi-lobed shape, giving this plant a unique look you will not find on most other plants.
So when deciding on whether you want a young or older Syngonium Neon Robusta, look at the leaves to know which you are getting. Or, if you prefer, choose something with new and old growth for a unique look and plenty of future propagation prospects.
Caring for Your Syngonium Neon Robusta
The Syngonium Neon Robusta is an easy to care for and hard to kill houseplant. So if you are new to owning houseplants or trying to prove you can keep a houseplant alive, this is the plant for you!
So let us dive into the care instructions for The Syngonium Neon Robusta.
Light
For The Syngonium Neon Robusta, medium, indirect sunlight is what this plant needs to thrive. However, it does tolerate low light decently. Avoid direct sunlight exposure as it can burn the plants’ gorgeous leaves.
Brighter light can help the plant become a more vibrant pink, but only to a point. Giving the Syngonium Neon Robusta too much bright light can cause the leaves to fade to green or make them a dark green. So if you want to put your Syngonium Neon Robusta in bright sunlight, do so with a close and watchful eye.
Humidity
As a tropical plant, the Syngonium Neon Robusta has a high tolerance for humidity. Their preferred humidity level ranges from 60 to 70 percent. Higher humidity allows for them to grow better.
The best way to keep your Syngonium Neon Robusta happy is to mist it daily. Daily mistings of this plant will help its leaves look and feel fresh. Also, by misting the plant, you can prevent overwatering it when the time comes to water it because it will not be as thirsty.
Water
The Syngonium Neon Robusta enjoys a regular watering schedule. However, you can let it get a bit dry in-between waterings. But if you notice your plant beginning to look droopy and sad, give that plant baby some water pronto!
The best way to determine if your Syngonium Neon Robusta needs watering is by feeling the top two inches of soil. If it is dry, give your plant a nice drink of water. If it is still wet, then no water is needed that day.
The worst thing you can do is overwater this plant and cause it to develop root rot. Root rot is an unfixable issue that will kill your plant over time, and we do not want that to happen! So when choosing a pot for this plant, select one with a good drainage hole so excess water can drain out and root rot can be prevented.
Temperature
The Syngonium Neon Robusta is a tropical and subtropical plant with temperature sensitivity. Keeping the room it is residing in above 50 degrees will help keep this plant happy and thriving. So if you live in a warmer state, you should have no issues keeping this plant living its best life!
However, since this plant has a low tolerance to the cold, you will want to keep it away from any air conditioners, fans, or drafty rooms. If you live in a state where it does get colder, keep the Syngonium Neon Robusta in the warmest room of your home and away from drafty areas.
Soil Matters
The Syngonium is related to the Philodendron, so their soil preferences are similar to that of the Philodendron. Because they hate being waterlogged, the Syngonium Neon Robusta prefers a rich, loose soil full of nutrients and offers good water drainage.
A store-bought potting mix with a peat-based medium is an excellent option for your Syngonium Neon Robusta. You can also make a custom blend for your Syngonium as long as it meets your Syngonium’s requirements to grow healthy and tall.
Fertilizer
The Syngonium Neon Robusta is a fast-growing plant even without fertilizer. So Syngonium enthusiasts and experts recommend ‘weekly weakly fertilizing’ for this plant. This method means that you lightly fertilize the plant every time you water it. Though Syngoniums are not known for needing constant fertilization, they should not go without it, especially if they live in soil like Leca, which does not provide any nutrients.
The prime times to fertilize the Syngonium Neon Robusta are March to September. Depending on your Syngoniums needs and your desired outcome for the plant, you can fertilize every month or on a ‘weekly weakly’ basis.
During the colder months, October through February, you can skip the fertilizer. However, if you would still like to give your plant baby some added nutrition, you can fertilize it monthly or bi-monthly.
How to Propagate the Syngonium Neon Robusta
The recommended way to propagate the Syngonium Neon Robusta is through stem cuttings. Reproducing this plant might sound complicated as the dense foliage can make it difficult to reach the desired cutting points. But this method is so easy that even a beginner can do it!
To propagate your Syngonium Neon Robusta:
- Start by taking a 5 to 7-inch stem-tip cutting.
- Remove the leaves from the lower side before planting the cutting in an already moist prepared substrate.
- Check that at least three nodes are under the soil to allow for optimal root development.
You can also propagate your Syngonium Neon Robusta in water. For this method, dip the shoot-cuttings in a glass jar or other container filled with water. Check that at least two to three nodes are under the water. You should see root development start in three to four weeks. Once the roots have developed, you can transfer the new plant over into the soil.
Maximize the humidity, moisture, and warmth around the plant for the best results when propagating your Syngonium Neon Robusta. It will be easy to achieve if you are growing this plant in a terrarium (as some Syngonium Neon Robusta enthusiasts like to do).
Syngonium Neon Robusta Vs. Red Heart
People online have debated whether these two members of the Syngonium family are the same plant or not. After some in-depth research and cross-examination of the two plants, we conclude that the Syngonium Neon Robusta and the Red Heart Syngonium are the same plant. If you come across one that is a darker pink, close to red, there are many factors as to why that could be.
As we mentioned above, lighting plays a factor in the color of your plant. Certain fertilizers can even play a role in the coloration of your plants, as different nutrients can have other effects on the plant. Age is another factor to consider as this plant’s appearance is known to change over time.
But whether it is a dusky pink or reddish-pink, there is no denying the beauty of the Syngonium Neon Robusta.
Syngonium Neon Robusta Vs. Strawberry Cream
The Syngonium Neon Robusta and The Strawberry Cream Syngonium are also often mistaken for one another, and at first glance, it is easy to see why that is.
The Strawberry Cream Syngonium looks like a cross between the Regina Red Syngonium and The Syngonium Neon Robusta. However, The Strawberry Cream Syngonium will not have the same color variation or leaf shape as their ‘parents.’
The Strawberry Cream Syngonium colors will not be as intense as the colors of the Regina Red Syngonium. The colors of its leaves will be more white or cream, but not red. Sometimes it will have reddish-pink-colored patches on its leaves, but it will never be entirely red like the Regina Red.
There is also a Syngonium called The Strawberry Ice Syngonium, which is considered the Rolls Royce of Syngoniums. It is very rare and unique within the Syngonium family. So if you ever come across one, it is definitely worth giving multiple glances at.
Conclusion
The Syngonium Neon Robusta is a gorgeous and easy to care for plant that brightens up any plant lover’s home. We have learned how to identify it, care for it, and different plants within this species. We hope you finish this article feeling better educated and prepared to care for this magnificent plant.
Where to Buy the Syngonium Neon Robusta
If you are interested in purchasing a Syngonium Neon Robusta, they are for sale on Amazon or Etsy. Click on the links below to check the prices from different sellers.
