How To Save A Dying Arrowhead Plant? (Possible Problem+Fix)

Arrowhead plant, also known as Syngonium, is a beautiful tropical plant that has gained popularity due to its low maintenance requirements. If you have an arrowhead, but it seems to be dying, you should know something is wrong with it.

If your arrowhead faces such a situation, you must find ways to get your plant out of the problem and save it from dying.

To save a dying arrowhead plant, you must follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Move the plant to a spot with moderate to bright indirect light.
2. Inspect the plant thoroughly to find out what problem it is facing.
3. Take the arrowhead out of its pot and check the roots.
4. Repot the arrowhead in a new pot with a fresh potting mix if you notice root rot.
5. If you find pests, spray a neem oil solution all over the plant.
6. Halt fertilizing till your arrowhead becomes healthy again.
7. Maintain ideal temperatures, humidity levels, and water when the soil dries.

If you don’t neglect the signs your arrowhead gives and figure out the problem on time, you can save the plant with the right actions.

This article will explain the reasons behind your dying arrowhead plant and how you can treat it to help it recover.

Why is my arrowhead plant dying?

Some common reasons behind your arrowhead plant dying might be:

• Overwatering
• Underwatering
• Direct sunlight
• Low light
• Temperature stress
• Pest infestations
• Fungal diseases

Let’s discuss these in detail.

Overwatering

Overwatering can cause more than one problem for your arrowhead plant.

Arrowhead plants require water only when 50-75% of the soil is dry.

But if you don’t check the soil and follow a watering routine blindly, it will not be shocking to find your arrowhead overwatered.

Overwatering makes the soil soggy, which damages the roots.

Due to the excess water retention in the soil, the roots don’t get sufficient oxygen and start decaying.

This condition is called root rot, and it can kill your Syngonium if you can’t detect it on time and do something about it.

If your arrowhead has root rot or is overwatered, you will notice the following signs:

• Yellow leaves
• Spotted leaves
• Brown leaves
• Wilting leaves
• Musty soil
• Brown and soft roots
• Weak plant

How to save an overwatered arrowhead plant?

Treating it will be easier if your arrowhead is overwatered but hasn’t reached the stage of root rot.

• If you notice water on the soil, tilt the pot and get rid of it.
• Place your arrowhead under bright indirect light and allow the soil to dry.
• Take the plant out of its pot, spread the roots and soil on paper, and leave it under indirect bright light.
• Once the soil and roots are dry, you can put the plant back to its pot.
• Water only if the soil is 50-75% dry.

But if your arrowhead plant has root rot and you get a foul smell from the soil:

• Take the plant out of the pot.
• Prune the brown and soft roots with sharp, disinfected pruners.
• Prune the discolored foliage or damaged stems.
• Spray fungicide on the healthy roots.
• Repot the arrowhead in a new pot with fresh potting mix.
• Keep the plant under indirect bright sunlight.
• Avoid fertilizing till the arrowhead recovers.

Also read: How To Water Arrowhead Plant? (How Often+Summer & Winter)

Underwatering

While some people end up overwatering their houseplants, some forget to water them.

Arrowhead plants can tolerate staying without water for a while, but if you keep it thirsty for too long, it will get underwatered, and you will start seeing the effects on their health.

When you forget to check on your plant and don’t give it water for a prolonged period, it experiences underwatering.

Some signs of underwatering are:

• Dry and compact soil
• Dry and crisp leaves
• Curling leaves
• Brown spots on leaves
• Brown tips and edges on leaves
• Dehydrated plant

How to save an underwatered arrowhead plant?

If you think you have underwatered your arrowhead plant, you must give it a good soak.

Follow these steps to ensure your plant gets the water you provide.

• Take a stick or chopstick and poke some holes into the soil. Since the soil gets compact, this will aerate the soil and absorb the water.
• Now provide some water to your arrowhead plant and let the soil soak it.
• Once the water gets soaked, you can water the plant thoroughly till it starts coming out of the drainage holes.
• Give the arrowhead time to recover, and it will bounce back to health.

To avoid underwatering your Syngonium:

• Maintain a calendar to remind you to check the plant and see if it needs water.
• If the soil is 50-75% dry, you can water your arrowhead.

Also read: What Do I Do If My Arrowhead Has Root Rot? (Signs, Causes & Fix)

Direct sunlight

Arrowhead plants grow under the shade of tall trees in their natural habitat.

So, they are used to dappled sunlight.

Even as a houseplant, the arrowhead plant will need indirect sunlight, and direct sunlight will not be beneficial for these plants.

Direct sunlight will stress your arrowhead and scorch its leaves.

Leaving the plant under direct sunlight for too long can even kill the plant.

Some signs of a Syngonium affected by direct sunlight are:

• Brown spots on leaves
• Dry and crisp leaves
• Compact soil
• Dehydrated plant
• Dull plant

How to save a sunburned arrowhead plant?

If you notice signs of sunburn on your arrowhead, take the steps as soon as possible to save the plant.

• Shift the plant to a location with indirect sunlight.
• Take sharp and sterilized pruners and prune all the dry and affected leaves. Since these leaves will not become healthy again, it would be best to remove them.
• After that, water the plant like you would water an underwatered plant.
• You can even take your Syngonium out of its pot and soak it in a container filled with water.
• Don’t fertilize the plant as it can worsen the condition. Fertilize the arrowhead only after the plant recovers.
• Allow your arrowhead to recover, and don’t put it in a location with direct sunlight.

Also read: Arrowhead Plant Sunburn: Signs, Causes & Fix

Low light

Plants need light to function, and although many plants can adjust to low light conditions, not all species of arrowhead can.

If you have a variegated arrowhead plant and place it in a low light area, the plant will lose its variegation and face other problems.

Even non-variegated arrowhead plants can tolerate low light for a while but not for too long.

If your arrowhead is living in a dark spot with low light conditions, you might notice problems such as:

• Stunted growth
• Leggy growth
• Leaning

How to save an arrowhead plant affected due to low light?

• If your arrowhead is not receiving enough light, you must look for a brighter spot and shift the plant there.
• Prune the leggy parts.
• If your house doesn’t get sufficient natural light, you can get artificial light from the market and put your arrowhead under it.

Also read: Arrowhead Plant Light Needs: What Type, How Much & More

Temperature stress

Arrowhead plants prefer warm temperatures between 60-85°F and will neither enjoy lower temperatures nor react well to fluctuations.

If your arrowhead is exposed to low temperatures or fluctuations, the plant will get stressed and show the effects on its foliage.

Some signs of temperature stress on your arrowhead plant are:

• Wilting leaves
• Discolored foliage
• Stunted growth

How to save an arrowhead plant from temperature stress?

• Keep these points in mind to avoid exposing your Syngonium to unsuitable temperatures.
• Place the arrowhead plant in a spot with warm temperatures.
• Don’t keep the arrowhead near doors or windows that are closed and opened too frequently.
• Keep the plant away from frosty windows.
• Don’t keep your arrowhead near any heating sources.
• Keep it away from both hot and cold drafts.
• Avoid placing the arrowhead in front of the direct air of the AC.

Also read: Arrowhead Plant Temperature Tolerance: Hot, Cold & Ideal Temperature

Pest infestations

An arrowhead will attract pests if you keep it in unfavorable conditions or provide the wrong care.

Pests are often hard to detect as they are tiny and hide on the undersides of leaves.

But if you can’t detect the pests on time, the plant can even die.

Pests suck the nutrients out of your arrowhead and make the plant weak.

Pests like mealybugs, spider mites, scales, and aphids can attack the arrowhead plant.

Both overwatering and underwatering conditions lead to pest infestations. 

Low light can also encourage pests.

Signs of pest infestation on your Syngonium are:

• Brown spots on leaves
• White spots on leaves
• Holes in leaves
• Yellow leaves
• Distorted foliage
• Web-like structures
• Stunted growth

How to save an arrowhead plant from pest infestations?

If you suspect pest infestation on your arrowhead, you must thoroughly check the plant.

If you notice the pests, follow these steps.

• Isolate the arrowhead plant from other houseplants so the pests can’t spread.
• Wear gloves and handpick the visible pests.
• Prune the heavily infested parts.
• For tiny pests, spray the arrowhead with a strong stream of water to remove as many pests as possible.
• You can use a cotton ball, dip it in rubbing alcohol, and wipe the affected parts of the plant.
• After that, spray a neem oil solution all over the plant to kill the remaining pests. Do this for at least 2 weeks.
• If all these cannot remove the pests, go for pesticides available in the market.
• Once the arrowhead is pest-free, provide enough light, correct watering, and suitable conditions, so it stays healthy and doesn’t attract pests.

Also read: Bugs On Arrowhead Plant: Common Pests+How To Get Rid Of Them

Fungal diseases

One of the most severe reasons behind your arrowhead plant dying might be fungal diseases.

Fungal diseases can kill your Syngonium if you don’t notice them on time.

Some fungal diseases that you might notice on your arrowhead are root rot, leaf blight, fusarium wilt, etc.

Root rot occurs due to overwatering or a poor drainage system and affects the roots, which decay due to lack of oxygen.

Fusarium wilt occurs on the roots and eventually spreads over the plant, whereas leaf blight ultimately kills the arrowhead.

Some common signs of fungal diseases are:

• Discolored leaves
• Spots on leaves
• Distorted leaves
• Wilting leaves
• Falling leaves
• Brown and mushy roots

How to save your arrowhead plant from fungal diseases?

Treating fungal diseases is not easy. Therefore, the best you can do is prevent it.

But if your arrowhead is affected by fungal diseases, you can take the arrowhead out of the pot and repot it in a fresh potting mix after getting rid of the affected parts.

Spraying a neem oil solution and taking the right care of the plant can prevent these fungal diseases.

How to save a dying arrowhead plant?

Different issues require different treatments, but you can save it from dying by following standard care tips.

Factor	Care requirement
Light	Provide bright indirect light to your arrowhead plant. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight. If the plant doesn’t get enough natural light, use artificial lights. Rotate the plant at regular intervals to ensure that all sides get light.
Water	Water your Syngonium when the soil feels 50-75% dry. You can purchase a moisture meter to check the soil moisture before watering. Don’t follow any watering schedule blindly, and avoid keeping the plant thirsty for too long. Reduce watering in winter.
Soil	Use fertile and well-drained soil for the plant. A mixture of regular potting soil, coco coir, and perlite will be ideal for your arrowhead.
Fertilizer	Fertilize the arrowhead with a well-balanced 10:10:10 or 20:20:20 NPK fertilizer during the growing season. Dilute the dose and stop fertilizing in winter to avoid overfertilization.
Pot	Use a pot that is one size larger than the plant and its roots. Ensure it has drainage holes to drain the excess water.
Temperature	Provide warm conditions to the plant by maintaining temperatures between 60-85°F. You can keep the plant in a well-insulated room but don’t keep it too close to any heating sources. Don’t expose it to frost or low temperatures in winter.
Humidity	Install a humidifier or keep the arrowhead near one to provide enough humidity if you already have it. You can group your arrowhead with humidity-loving plants or relocate it to the kitchen or bathroom to maintain the humidity levels. Don’t let it drop below 40-50%.
Pests	Spray a neem oil solution on your arrowhead plant to prevent pests.
Foliage	You can mist the arrowhead occasionally and clean the leaves.
Repotting	Repot the arrowhead once in 2-5 years and avoid repotting it too often.
Pruning	Prune your arrowhead at least 2-3 times a year to keep it in shape and ensure that the plant doesn’t have any dead or damaged leaves.

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Reference: CABI, Britannica, United States Department of Agriculture, Wikipedia, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Missouri Botanical Garden.

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