Arrowheads are one of the few houseplants that can be grown in water, but they generally grow better in soil. With proper care, these plants can live for 10 or more years, and they should produce lots of offshoots that you can propagate and share with friends. However, if you want arrowheads to look their best, it’s important to provide your plants with the right care!
Light
One of the best things about arrowhead plants is that they can grow in relatively low light. That said, bright, indirect light is best for these plants, while direct sun can scorch their leaves. Variegated arrowheads usually prefer a little more light, while solid green varieties are more tolerant of shade.
Water
Like most other tropical houseplants, arrowheads should be watered about once a week in summer and a little less in winter. You’ll know it’s time to water your plants when the top few inches of their soil feel dry. And remember, arrowheads are prone to root rot, so be sure that you don’t overwater them!
Fertilizer
For optimal growth and lots of lush leaves, fertilize arrowhead plants about once a month from spring through early fall with an organic liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Once their growth slows in autumn, withhold all fertilizer until your plants produce new growth in spring.
Humidity
Arrowheads are tropical plants that love extra humidity. However, these plants aren’t as picky about humidity as many other houseplants, and they’ll grow just fine at standard indoor humidity levels. If desired, you can keep arrowhead plants in a well-lit, steamy bathroom or place them on top of a pebble tray for a humidity boost!
Seasonal Care
During winter, arrowhead plants should be watered a little less and don’t need fertilizer. Beyond that, arrowhead plant care doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the year, although these plants will need to be pruned from time to time if you don’t want them to get too large.
To prune arrowhead vines, simply trim long stems and vines back to a leaf node using sharp, sterilized scissors or shears. Don’t throw out those prunings, though. Arrowhead plants are some of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings!
Propagation
Arrowhead plants can be propagated in soil or water at any time of the year. However, cuttings usually root best when propagating in spring or summer using the water propagation method!
- Using sterilized scissors or pruners, take 4 to 6-inch long cuttings from healthy arrowhead stems at a leaf node. If the cuttings have a few aerial roots, they’ll root even faster!
- Place the cuttings in a clear glass jar and add enough water to submerge the base of the cuttings. If any leaves are touching the water line, cut them away with scissors.
- Move the cuttings into bright, indirect light and replace the water daily to keep everything fresh.
- In a few weeks, you should start to see small roots forming at the base of the arrowhead cuttings. Once the roots are 1 to 2 inches long, repot the cuttings into individual pots filled with a rich potting mix, and care for your new arrowheads just like the parent plant!
