Also known as Syngonium Chiapense Matuda, Syngonium llamasii Matuda,
First described in 1950 by Japanese born, Mexican botanist Eizi Matuda. He originally published details of this plant in the publication, Revista Soc. Mex. Hist. Nat. 11: 94 1950.
Syngonium Chiapense is an easy growing, low maintenance plant that is fast growing and a joy to grow. Personally, it is one of my favourites at any stage of growth.
I have found this to be one of the easiest and toughest plants in my Aroid collection. It grows with neglect and thrives all year round.
At times thought to be a Philodendron by the size and shape of the leaves, yet produces the whilte milky sap, known to Syngonium, when cut.
Juvenile plants display rubbery green foliage with stunning blue veining. ovate-cordate shaped leaves grow between 9 and 30 cm long, with a width between 5 and 17 cm wide. This is the most commonly found form grown in private collections.
Mature plants develop matte leaves that grow to 70cm long and 35cm wide. The leaves lobes are far more defined and the leaves corougate from the centre vein. Petioles grow up to 60cm long from the grey-green internodes.
Origin: Found mostly in Southern Mexico, in the Oaxaca and Southern Veracruz areas. A sterile collection has now been confirmed in the central Guatemalan area of Baja Verapaz.
Syngonium Chiapense grows mostly along coastal areas of Eastern Mexico’s Atlantic coast. While growing in areas from sea level through to 1200m above sea level, it is more commonly found at 350m above sea level. Its natural habitat is tropical wet forest and tropical moist forest.
Terrestrial or Epiphytic: Syngonium Chiaense is an Epiphytic plant that will grow up forest plants to reach brighter light.
In the greenhouse or house environment, this plant benefits from having something to climb. A moss or core pole, a trellis or a tree will allow the plant to grow happily.
Light: Grows in Medium to low light and does well in bright indirect light. One of the factors of it being a fantastic indoor plant is its ability to grow in medium to low light. In the wild the plant starts at the darker base of the forest and will climb its way to the brighter light of the forest canopy. My own plant sits in a spot that only receives bright indirect light in the late afternoon. The rest of the day it sits in medium to low light and still pushes out new growth.
Watering: A hardy plant that can handle infrequent watering and small periods of dry soil. Over watering will lead to yellowing leaves and root rot, so it is best to allow the top inch of soil to dry between watering. Water less in the cooler months to avoid over watering
Temperature: Ideally grown in temperatures between 15 – 29ºC. (59 – 84 F) However, it can handle temperatures as low as 1C (33F) and much higher, providing humidity levels remain acceptable.
Humidity: Moderate / High. 50 – 60%+. Prefers slightly higher humidity levels, yet will tolerate as low as 50%. This makes it a fantastic general indoor plant and harder than most aroids.
Soil: Grows well in a lighter, airy soil. An Aroid Mix is best, with at least half chunky bark or stone, to soil medium or potting mix. Heavier soils will hold water and make the plant prone to root rot.
Soil PH of Slightly acidic (6.1 – 6.5) to Neutral (6.5 – 7.3) is ideal.
Fertiliser: Weakly, Weekly! Small amounts on a weekly basis. I use a combo of slow release fertiliser and a plant food/seaweed liquid feed at quarter strength on a weekly basis. Back off in colder months when the plant is not growing.
Propagation: An easy plant to grow from propagation. Take cuttings just below the node and place a node in either water, moss or a loose substrate and roots will soon grow. Best to propagate in spring or summer unless you can replicate the season through warmth and light.
I propagate my Chiapense cuttings in water or a mix of Coconut coir and perlite. Which ever is easiest at the time.
If you are new to propagation, this article, How to: Cut Aroids for Propagation will give you a quick guide on how to cut and propagate your aroids.
Flowers: Fruit is produced in the wild from Late summer through to early Autumn (fall) or July to September in its natural habitat. Inflorescences are mostly yellow/white with some pink blushing colour around the base of the spadix.
Pests: While hardier than most aroids, this plant is still suseptible to most pests and diseases. Meally Bugs, Thrips, Root rot etc.
Thanks for reading and happy growing. Xx
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