Learn how to care for your Kokedama on our care page.
Light
The Strawberry Cream Arrowhead thrives in bright indirect light. The pink variegation is light-dependent — give it less and the leaves green up.
Best Placement: A spot near a window with filtered daylight, or a few feet back from a bright window. An east- or north-facing window with good ambient light works well. Avoid harsh direct sun, which scorches the leaves.
Why Light Matters for Color: The strawberry pink in the leaves is a direct response to light intensity. More light means stronger variegation. Less light means the plant gradually produces greener, less colorful growth.
Insufficient Light: Leaves turning solid green, or new growth coming in without pink, are the clearest signs. Move it closer to a bright window.
Watering
The Strawberry Cream Arrowhead prefers evenly moist soil — not wet, not bone dry.
How to Water: Once a week, set the moss ball into a bowl of water, submerged halfway, for 12 to 15 minutes. Lift it out, squeeze the excess water from the ball, and return it to the tray.
What to Watch For: Yellowing leaves mean the ball stayed too wet. Crispy tips or dramatic drooping mean it went too dry. Adjust frequency based on what you see.
Seasonal Adjustment: In winter or in lower light conditions, the plant uses less water. Let the ball get closer to dry before the next soak rather than watering on a strict schedule.
Avoid Standing Water: Never let the moss ball sit in pooled water in the tray. Constant moisture at the base leads to root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
The Strawberry Cream Arrowhead is a tropical plant that wants warmth and moderate humidity.
Temperature: Keep it above 60°F at all times. It is happiest in a warm indoor environment and will not tolerate cold drafts or temperatures near a window in winter.
Humidity: As a rainforest plant, it appreciates humidity. In very dry indoor environments, occasional misting or a pebble tray with water nearby will help. Brown leaf edges in dry winters are a sign it wants more moisture in the air.
Frost Warning: This plant has no cold tolerance. Keep it away from drafty windows and bring it in immediately if it spends any time outdoors.
Growth and Training
The Strawberry Cream Arrowhead starts compact and bushy, then sends out climbing vines as it matures.
Natural Habit: Young plants stay low and full. As the plant matures, it produces longer stems that want to climb or trail. This is normal and healthy.
Training: Give it a moss pole or small trellis, and it will climb upward, producing larger, more mature leaf forms as it goes. Without support, it will trail outward or over the edge of a shelf.
Pruning: Trim any stems that grow too long or in an unwanted direction. Cut just above a leaf node. The plant responds well to light pruning and will branch out from the cut point.
Troubleshooting
Leaves Turning Solid Green: Too little light. Move it to a brighter spot with more ambient daylight.
Yellowing Leaves: Overwatering. Let the ball dry out more between soaks and check that the tray is not holding standing water.
Crispy Leaf Tips: Underwatering or very dry air. Soak the ball thoroughly and consider misting or adding humidity nearby.
Leggy Growth with Wide Spacing Between Leaves: Not enough light. The plant is stretching toward a light source. Move it closer to a window.
Brown or Mushy Stems at the Base: Root rot from overwatering or standing water. Remove it from pooled water, let the ball dry fully, and trim any affected roots if you repot.
Leaf Drop: Some leaf loss is normal when the plant adjusts to a new environment. Ongoing drop usually points to low light, cold drafts, or a watering problem.
General Care Notes
The Strawberry Cream Arrowhead is a fast-growing tropical that rewards consistent light and a regular watering routine. The pink variegation is the reason most people buy it, and keeping it strong is straightforward — give it a bright spot and water it on schedule. Most problems trace back to too little light or inconsistent watering. Get those two things right, and the plant will grow quickly and stay colorful.
