The Philodendron Silver Sword is a low-key philodendron type that is second to none in elegance. The leaves of this species of Philodendron, which gets its name from their resemblance to a sword, are long, narrow, and silver in color. The Philodendron Silver Sword is the go-to plant if you value subtle elegance.
Silver Sword Philodendron Care Guide
Table of Contents
The “silver sword” moniker for this philodendron originates from the plant’s shiny, pointed leaves.
With its metallic sheen leaves, this plant will make a beautiful addition to any house. The strong stem of this philodendron allows it to grow up a simple post or over a trellis as it matures into a climbing vine.
The silver sword philodendron requires little attention and thrives in a wide range of indoor environments. Like most houseplants, it prefers bright, indirect sunlight, grows well when watered according to standard guidelines, and rarely experiences pest problems.
Silver Sword Philodendrum Lighting Requirements
The Silver Sword philodendron does best in bright light but can survive in dim conditions.
The bluish-gray leaves wither when subjected to strong sunlight. If you want to ensure this plant gets enough light without being burnt, keep it in indirect sunlight or a few feet away from a place where it can get direct sunlight.
One of the most noticeable effects of too much exposure to direct sunlight is the drying out and dulling of the leaves. If that happens, move the plant.
Once the leaves are injured, they will never return to their original color; therefore, you should remove them even if there’s still plenty of healthy foliage on the plant.
Silver Sword Philodendron Water Requirements
Water it around once a week during the summer and spring. Before watering the Silver Sword again, check to see if the top inch or two of the soil is dry.
You may not need to water as often in the autumn and winter because development slows down then.
How often you water a plant depends on a number of factors, including the ambient temperature, the type of soil it’s in, the relative humidity, and the amount of light it receives.
Silver Sword Philodendron Soil Drainage
The Silver Sword Philodendron, a member of the aroid plants family, requires soil with good drainage. The best plant soil for a Silver Sword includes perlite, coco coir, and organic materials. Make sure to use containers with drainage holes to escape any extra water.
Hang Silver Sword Philodendron plants in hanging baskets to get the most out of them. This tropical plant will have a beautiful cascading appearance that will make any green thumb swoon.
Silver Sword Philodendron Temperature Requirements
The best growing conditions for Silver Sword Philodedrons are between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Philodendron hastatum silver sword prefers cool evenings when it blooms. As the plant lacks effective low-temperature resistance, you can also bring it indoors for the winter.
Silver Sword Philodendron Humidity Requirements
Philodendron hastatum silver sword needs a lot of moisture in the air to thrive. This is not surprising given that this rare plant is native to the damp Brazilian jungles.
When cultivating the plant indoors, it is important to keep the humidity between 50 and 75%. If you find that the air in your home is on the dry side, you can use a misting machine or set up a pebble tray.
Silver sword philodendron hastatum thrives best in conditions where humidity is kept at about 65%. The risk of pests and diseases increases as temperatures rise above the optimal level, so it’s also best to prevent that. The following are some tips on how to improve the conditions for your Silver Sword Philodendron:
Misting
Sagging leaves indicate that the humidity levels around your plant are too low. Your plant will benefit from a gentle misting during dry spells.
Pebble Tray
Put some pebbles and water in a dish and get yourself a pebble tray. Make sure it’s level so the plant in its container won’t topple over. Your Philodendron Silver Sword will quickly regain its former vigor after being placed in a pebble tray.
Group
Plants are more powerful when they band together. The Philodendrons should be gathered and placed in a single location during dry weather.
As a result, the humidity created by the plants’ foliage is maximized, and the environment resembles a rainforest.
Your Philodendrons might have a richer, more luscious appearance if you put them in groups.
Placement
The high humidity in a bathroom is ideal for the Philodendron Silver Sword. It’s a bonus that the stunning Silver Sword can make any bathroom look better instantly.
Silver Sword Philodendron Fertilizer Requirements
When the Silver Sword Philodendron is actively growing, feed it once a month with a balanced fertilizer like NPK 10-10-10 or 5-5-5. Always use organic matter.
Once you regularly fertilize your houseplant, you’ll notice rapid growth and larger, healthier leaves.
Fertilizing once every 6-8 weeks in the fall and winter will promote healthy development, but it should be done monthly during the spring and summer.
Remember the following while fertilizing your plant:
Expensive fertilizers might kill a plant by adding too much salt to the soil.
Be cautious when applying fertilizer.
Over-fertilizing can kill your resilient plant, but under-fertilizing won’t hurt it too much.
Prefer organic matter over regular matter.
Silver Sword Philodendron Pruning
While philodendrons are low-maintenance and quickly spread, they may outgrow their space if not periodically pruned. Apart from that, philodendrons look more tropical after being pruned and avoid becoming too large for their space.
These plants do not need trimming to thrive, but their taller counterparts may become unsightly if left unpruned.
Avoid cutting back your philodendron unless absolutely necessary.
Before you cut into your philodendron plants, make sure to disinfect your pruning shears.
Before wiping the pruning tools with rubbing alcohol, ensure they are free of dirt or debris.
Pruning tools should be disinfected after each use to eliminate pathogens that could harm your philodendron.
Propagation of Silver Sword Philodendrons
Create your own silvery forest by following these simple instructions for cultivating this beautiful plant at home:
Select a strong silver sword philodendron hastatanum.
Select a strong mother plant for your Philodendron Hastatum. Philodendrons that are well cared for and free of disease will have stronger cuttings. As a result, your new plant’s roots and leaves will flourish as a result.
Avoid purchasing Philodendrons from nurseries that show any signs of stem or leaf disease. These plants are more susceptible to pest infestation.
Find the locations of the nodes.
Once the nodes have been located, you must connect them. The brown knobs on a Philodendron’s stem are called nodes, and they can develop into roots if the plant is healthy enough.
The success of your cutting propagation depends on the stem you choose. therefore, you must select one with several nodes towards the end where you will make your cut.
Make a horizontal incision below the node. The cut should be made quickly and cleanly below the node using sharp, clean scissors.
Submerge your stem cutting in water.
Once you have your cuttings, put them in a jar of fresh water. Maintaining a steady water change schedule will keep bacteria development to a minimum. Let a few weeks pass to give the roots a chance to spread out.
Place the cutting in its final planting location. If you take cuttings and wait until the roots are a few centimeters long, you can plant them directly in the ground.
Growth
In its natural habitat, this plant’s silvery leaves and orchid bark can reach a height of 10 feet and a width of 5 feet. It can produce new leaves every month. Their growth rate is medium to large and rather fast.
Repotting
After the roots of your Silver Sword philodendron have filled the pot, it is time to repot it into a pot that is 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter.
Choose a container with drainage holes to avoid rotting your plant from over-watering.
Common Problems with Silver Sword Philodendron
A couple of the most typical issues with Silver Sword Philodendrons are yellowing leaves, foliage discoloration, and waterlogging.
Overwatering and failing to maintain the ideal temperature and humidity are common cultural management errors that lead to these outcomes.
Pests
Pests are common when growing a Silver Sword Philodendron outdoors. Spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and scale bugs are the frequent pests that could attack your Philodendron hastatum.
If you don’t keep them in check, they’ll eat up your plant’s vital nutrients, preventing them from being used for growth.
Take a moist cloth and neem oil to spray the plant. You can also use rubbing alcohol to eliminate residues on a regular basis.
Diseases
Overwatering can cause waterlogging. It is a surefire way to damage plants of any kind. This leads to root rot, which in turn might invite bacterial or fungal illness.
if you notice leaf wilting, stem decay, yellow leaves, brown leaves, and a foul stench, your plant is asking for help.
A diseased Philodendron hastatum should have any infected parts promptly lopped off. it is essential for a healthy root system. This will stop the fungus from spreading and give your plant a fighting chance
The Potential Dangers of Silver Sword Philodendron
The unfortunate Philodendron hastatum inherits the same potentially harmful traits from its genus as other members of the species.
In almost every section, the plant has calcium oxalate crystals, creating needle-like formations that can be hazardous to humans and animals.
This amount of toxicity means the plant needs to be kept in a secure location, away from curious hands and paws.
Calcium oxalate crystals can release toxic substances, which could be transmitted through simple plant contact.
Humans may have vomiting, diarrhea, trouble swallowing, and difficulty breathing if excessive doses are eaten.
Unfortunately, pets should not be exposed to Silver Sword Philodendron hastatum while it is being grown in the home. These crystals are poisonous to pets for the same reasons they are to humans.
Look out for skin and mouth blisters, diarrhea, blood in the urine and feces, restlessness, and pawning off the face if you suspect your cats have consumed a component of the plant. To be safe, you must have your pets checked out by a vet as soon as you see any of these signs.
Silver Sword Philodendron Care – Conclusion
Silver sword philodendron is hard to find, making them an endangered species. Unique and beautiful, the leaf color of the Silver Sword Philodendron is a common point of praise. It has metallic-looking leaves that are sometimes blue and sometimes grey.
Thanks to its climbing tendencies, aerial roots, and trailing vines, the Hastatum can easily integrate into your architectural plans. Provide it with well-drained soil, and let its healthy foliage bloom!’
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