The Silver Sword Philodendron (Philodendron Hastatum) is a gorgeous and well-liked indoor plant, known for its big leaves that feel as soft as velvet. Even though silver sword philodendrons are pretty simple to look after and do well in most homes, they might need a bit more TLC if you want them to look their best. In this blog post, we’ll dig into everything you need to know for silver sword philodendron care – from picking the right spot and soil mix to how to grow new plants. If you’re keen to give these stunning green beauties a go, let’s jump right in!
What is Silver Sword Philodendron?
The Silver Sword Philodendron (Philodendron Hastatum) is like a precious, shiny jewel in the world of gardening that gives off a fancy look and feel because of its shiny leaves with a silver shine and thick stems. Coming from Brazil’s Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro regions, the kind of places it likes makes it a bit tricky for many homes to keep up. But don’t worry, its thick stems naturally like to climb and are usually kept in check with a trellis or moss pole – letting the beauty of the Silver Sword Philodendron really stand out!
Silver Sword Philodendron care overview
| Botanical Name | Philodendron hastatum |
| Common Name | Silver Sword Philodendron, Hastatum Plant |
| Family | Araceae |
| Genus | Philodendron |
| Mature Size | Can grow over 10 feet tall |
| Soil Type | Rich, quick-draining, high in OM |
| Soil pH | 5.5 to 6.5 (acidic) |
| Native Area | Brazil |
| Temperature | 65 to 75°F |
| Light | Bright, indirect light |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Humidity | 60-80% |
| Fertilizer | Fertilize 1 times per month |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans and toxic to pets when ingested |
How to care for Philodendron Hastatum (Silver Sword Philodendron)?
Philodendron Hastatum, often called the Silver Sword Philodendron, grows quickly and is pretty easy to care for as a houseplant. Loved for its amazing leaves with silver lines, it’s a beautiful extra touch for any home.
To keep your Silver Sword Philo happy and healthy, check out these care tips:
Light Requirements
Silver Sword Philodendrons need lots of but indirect light to do well, so putting them next to a south or west-facing window is a great move. If the direct sun is too harsh, use thin curtains to soften the sun and provide filtered light. Also, try not to put your Philodendron in a drafty area or near heating/cooling units, as quick changes in temperature can hurt the plant.
To keep it as healthy as possible, remember to rotate your Philodendron every few weeks so that all parts of the plant get enough light. You might also need to add artificial lights during times when there’s not enough natural sunlight. If you do decide to use artificial lights, make sure you choose bulbs that are meant for indoor plants and put them close enough that the light reaches all parts of your Silver Sword Philodendron.
Also, keep an eye on the leaves of your Philodendron to make sure they’re not getting too much light, as this can make the leaves wilt or change color.
Soil
Your Silver Sword Philodendron will love soil that drains well and isn’t too tightly packed or sopping wet. It likes to stay a bit damp. If you toss some compost or other organic stuff into the mix, it’s like giving it a vitamin boost. A potting mix with peat moss, perlite, and compost is pretty good for this vine.
Make sure to check the soil’s pH level every now and then to make sure it’s between 5.5 and 6.5. This way, your plant gets all the goodies it needs from the soil. A bit of balanced liquid fertilizer once in a while can be a nice extra. Take care of your Silver Sword’s soil and it’ll stay happy and looking sharp!
Watering
To keep your plant growing strong, gater your Silver Sword Philodendron once a week. Make sure it’s getting enough water without becoming soggy by testing the soil moisture level before watering. To do this, poke your finger into the top bit of soil, about 5 cm down, and feel if it’s wet. If it’s damp, hold off watering. Too much water can cause fungus or root rot, so just water enough until you start seeing some drainage. In the winter, when the plant is chilling out, cut back on the watering.
Temperature
Your Silver Sword likes to stay between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to grow best, and it can’t handle the cold or frost. Cold spells can make it suffer, even die. So, keep your Silver Sword’s temp in check to keep it feeling good.
Check the temperature around your plant with a thermometer. If it gets colder than 65 degrees, think about moving your plant inside or heating up the room. If it gets hotter than 80 degrees, use a fan or air conditioning to cool things down.
Humidity
Try to keep humidity at or above 50% if you can. You can boost humidity by giving your plant a quick mist and using a pebble tray with water to get more humidity around your plant’s leaves. A humidifier in the same room can help too.
Humidity is super important for your Philodendron, so you want to create a mini rainforest for it. Regular misting, pebble trays, and a humidifier will make sure your Silver Sword is happy, healthy, and sticks around for a long time.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is like a magic potion for your Silver Sword and you should use it regularly to keep your plant growing strong. Fertilizers with a 10-10-10 or 5-5-5 NPK ratio are a good pick since they have what your plant needs. Give it some fertilizer once a month when it’s growing and once every 6-8 weeks in fall and winter. Spread the fertilizer around the base of the plant, not too close to the stem. Be careful not to overdo it because that might cause root burn and other headaches.
Repotting
When you’re repotting your Silver Sword Philodendron, grab a pot that’s 1-2” (2.5-5cm) bigger than the old one. This gives the roots some wiggle room so they’re not squished. You’ll need good quality, quick-draining potting soil for this job. The soil needs to be light and airy so it can keep some moisture but doesn’t get all soggy or water-logged.
When you’re ready to repot, be gentle with the roots. You gotta loosen them up from the old, compacted soil before you move them over to the new pot. You can use your hands or even a chopstick for this. After you’ve repotted, give your Silver Sword a good watering and pop it in a place with lots of indirect light. Your Philodendron Hastatum should start to feel right at home!
Pruning
Pruning helps you control the shape and size of your plant, and it’s also good for getting rid of sick or brown leaves that are hogging all the nutrients. Best time to prune is spring or early summer. Just cut back the old stems and avoid the new ones. Don’t go overboard with pruning though, it can stress out the plant and invite disease.
Use clean pruning shears or scissors to do this job, so you don’t accidentally spread any nasty germs from one part of the plant to another. You can chuck the pruned leaves in your compost bin or take them to a compost place.
Philodendron Hastatum Propagation
The easiest way to make more silver sword philodendron is by stem cuttings. To start, get a healthy stem from an adult plant, about 6 inches long and with several leaves. Take off the lower leaves, leaving two to three up top.
Put your cutting in a glass of water in a spot with indirect sunlight. Leave it for a few weeks, or until the roots are long enough to plant in potting soil. Don’t drown it, keep the soil damp but not soaking. When the roots have settled in, you can give it some fertilizer once or twice a month to help it grow faster.
Related: Philodendron melanochrysum Care And Grow: The Ultimate Guide
Silver Sword Philodendron Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny, six-legged critters that suck the sap out of Silver Sword plants and mess up their leaves. They look like small white, yellow, or brown spots on the leaves and stems. The bite marks they leave can turn red or bronze and cause the leaves to change color and turn yellow. Spider mites can also stunt growth in Silver Sword plants because they interfere with nutrient uptake.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are little white bugs that suck plant sap and poop out a sticky honeydew substance. This sticky stuff can bring other insects and cause fungal diseases. You’ll find mealybugs on the undersides of leaves, and they usually leave white, cotton-like spots or webs on the leaves. They can cause the leaves to turn yellow and slow down the growth of Silver Sword plants.
Plant Diseases
Silver Sword can get different plant diseases like root rot, botrytis blight, and Fusarium wilt. Root rot is caused by over-watering the plant and can turn leaves yellow, brown, or black. Botrytis blight looks like greyish-brown spots on the leaves that are usually surrounded by a yellow ring. It can also make the plant’s leaves limp and stunt its growth. Fusarium wilt is a fungus in the soil that can turn leaves yellow and make the stems wilt. If your Silver Sword gets any of these, you gotta treat it with the right fungicides.
Keep a close eye on your Silver Sword for pests and diseases to keep it healthy. If something does show up, treat it fast with the right pesticides or fungicides so it doesn’t get worse. Regular care also includes giving it the right amount of water and light and not over-watering. This will help keep your Silver Sword plants fit and strong.
Silver Sword Philodendron Care Common Problems
Silver sword philodendron plants are a fab pick for both indoor and outdoor planting. Even though they’re pretty chill to care for, they do need a bit of specific attention to stay at their best. You might run into a few issues if you don’t look after them right. Here are some common hassles you might run into with your silver sword philodendron:
- Overwatering: Philodendrons can get root rot if they’re overwatered. To avoid this, let the top inch of soil dry out before you water your plant again.
- Underwatering: If they go too long without a drink, a silver sword philodendron can go all droopy and yellow. Make sure you’re watering your plants as needed.
- Temperature Fluctuations: Silver sword philodendrons like temps between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your plants away from drafts or air conditioning vents, as these can stress them out.
- Pests: These plants can get hit with pests like spider mites, scale, and mealybugs. If you see any signs of bugs, hit them with some insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Nutrient Problems: Silver sword philodendrons need a balanced fertilizer to stay healthy. Make sure to feed your plant every month during the growing season and every other month in the winter.
FAQ about Silver Sword Philodendron care
Is Philodendron Silver sword hard to care for?
No, the Philodendron Silver Sword is pretty easy to care for. It likes bright, indirect light, but it doesn’t need to be in the sun to do well. Water this guy when the top inch of soil is dry, and make sure it’s in potting soil that drains well. Keep its fronds clean, and feed it every few months. Finally, make sure it’s in a place with a bit of humidity: mist it a few times a week or put a small humidifier nearby to keep its leaves looking good.
Do Philodendron silver swords climb?
Yes, the Philodendron Silver Sword is a viney kind of plant, and it has tendrils that help it climb up trellises or other supports. It’s important to give the plant something to climb on so it can reach its full potential. If you don’t give it a trellis or something to climb on, its tendrils will start to hang down and the plant may get leggy.
We hope you liked this guide and feel ready to take care of your own Silver Sword Philodendron. If you have any questions that we didn’t answer here, or if you just want to learn more about taking care of philodendrons, check out the Famiplants website.
