How It Started
Nearly five years ago, I posted on Instagram that I hate Syngonium houseplants and swore not to buy one again. Well, you know what the old folk used to say about never saying never, right? In this article, I discuss why I love the Syngonium Llano-Carti Road.
The Trailing Was Crazy
I was in a big-box store and couldn’t help but notice a row of full Syngonium White butterfly plants that were trailing so much that the ones on top started rooting in the soil of the houseplants hanging directly below them. I bought one, but that Syngonium White Butterfly caused me to swear off the Syngonium genus. And I thought it would be forever.
Too Water-Sensitive For Me
As pretty as the Syngonium White Butterfly was, I did not like its thin leaves. Then, I killed it with my habit of overwatering houseplants, and, of course, I blamed the plant genus, not “user error”-
The Syngonium White Butterfly caused me to swear off the Syngonium genus. And I thought it would be forever.
Dark-Leaf Plants
Although I like the look of the Syngonium White Butterfly, my preference is for dark-leaf plants. And maybe the universe heard my cry. Last year, scrolling on YouTube, I saw a thumbnail photo of Summer Raynes Oakes featuring the Syngonium Llano-Carti Road.
Thick, Dark, Shiny Leaves
I was shocked to learn that the plant was in the Syngonium family when Summer explained that it had thick, dark, and shiny leaves.
Until recently, I had not seen one at any of the many garden centers and nurseries in my area. But I immediately fell in love with the Syngonium Llano-Carti Road, and to top things off, the undersides of the leaves are a beautiful red color!
I like the look of the Syngoniums, but my preference is for dark-leaf plants. So, the universe favored me when I discovered the Syngonium Llano-Carti Road.
Water Requirements
As with all indoor plants, remember not to overwater. Adding pumice, orchard bark, or perlite to your soil helps to prevent overwatering.
Keep It Evenly Moist
Although it is in the same plant genus as the Syngonium White Butterfly, the Llano-Carti Road prefers moist soil. So, even during the winter months, water them twice a week. That said, I have mine growing in a chunky mixture that includes lots of large perlite particles and Pumice. I would rather water it often than risk root rot.
It is much easier to help a houseplant recover from underwatering than from overwatering.
Leaf size
Most research indicates that the leaves of the Llano Carti-Road can grow up to 4 inches long. However, the leaves on each of my Llano Carti-Road plants range from 2 to 4 inches long. But this growing season, I will start using foliar spray on them to encourage the leaves to grow as large as possible.
I Bought a Foliar Spray
I purchased the Foliar Spray to help my growing Hoya collection, but the instructions say it can be used on “most houseplants.” And although at least one YouTuber swears by the Urban Gardener foliar spray, I haven’t used it long enough to know if it will help my plants grow faster and larger.
It’s Quite Costly
The only thing I can say about the spray so far is that it smells wonderful. My one complaint is that the spray is hella expensive. However, one can make their own foliar spray if inclined to do so, although your DIY spray may not smell as good as the one I purchased.
Annoying Pests
I panicked one day when I spotted mealybugs on my Llano-Carti Road. (It is also called a Red Arrow plant.) One bad habit I own up to is constantly moving my plants. Last summer, unknowingly, I put my Carti Roads very close to another plant that had mealybugs, and well…that was a situation.
My Home Is a No-Bug Zone
I immediately rubbed the leaves with Isopropyl Alcohol, which kills the mealies on initial contact. Then I soaked the entire plant with a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide, Water, and Insecticidal Soap. Because the Llano-Carti Road is not readily available, I wanted to be aggressive in treating the mealybugs. If not treated early, the plant becomes infested. Now, I keep both of my Carti-Roads away from other houseplants.
I immediately rubbed the leaves with Isopropyl Alcohol, which kills the mealies on initial contact
Light Requirements
There’s no need to put our Syngonium Llano-Carti Road plants too close to a south-facing window. In my experience, I find that they grow well about 3-5 feet from a south-facing or east-facing window. If you only have space near a north-facing window, it will do well closer to that light source.
Highly Recommended
If, like me, you appreciate vining plants with large, dark leaves, the Syngonium Llano-Carti Road is a great choice. It is an easy-care plant if you don’t want to think too much about it.
Much of my stress in growing houseplants is self-inflicted due to my overthinking plant care. I know that to be true because the few plants over the years that I cared less about were the ones that thrived! How crazy is that?
If you appreciate vining plants with large, dark leaves, the Syngonium Llano-Carti Road is a great choice.
Start With One Cutting
If you don’t have a friend willing to share a cutting or two, you can purchase one online. Otherwise, you can start with a small plant. They grow fast. Try not to be impatient like me. When I first discovered the Llano-Carti Road, I immediately ordered a 6-inch established plant. But I am impatient like that.
