Philodendron Silver Sword
A climbing philodendron with long, arrow-shaped leaves in a metallic blue-silver that no other houseplant quite matches. Give it a pole and bright filtered light and the leaves grow past a foot long. Easy, fast and pet-unfriendly.
Silver Sword is the philodendron people stop in front of. Young leaves are narrow and silver-grey; as the plant climbs they widen into long arrowheads with a blue-green metallic sheen, like something cast rather than grown. In good conditions it puts out a new leaf every few weeks.
It is a true climber. On a moss pole or a slab of bark the leaves get bigger with every node; left to trail from a pot they stay small and the plant looks unfinished. Care is ordinary philodendron care, which is to say easy.
Light
Bright, indirect light. It takes more light than the heartleaf types and rewards it with larger, more silver leaves. An east window or a couple of feet back from a south or west one. Hard direct sun through glass will scorch the newest leaves.
Water
Water when the top two inches dry out, about weekly in summer and every twelve days in winter. The stems are thick and store water, so a missed week does no harm. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer.
Soil and potting
A chunky, bark-heavy aroid mix that drains fast. Repot every eighteen months or when roots circle the pot, one size up, and add a taller pole at the same time. Aerial roots will grip a damp moss pole and speed up the leaf size.
Feeding
Half-strength balanced feed every four weeks from spring to early autumn. It is a fast grower and uses it.
Propagation
Stem cuttings with a node and an aerial root, in water or damp sphagnum. Roots in two to four weeks. Top cuttings from a climbing plant carry the largest leaves.
In a hot, dry home
A strong choice for a hot, dry home. Forty percent humidity is fine, the leaves are thick and waxy, and it likes warmth. It does want more water in high summer, roughly every five days, and a damp moss pole helps the aerial roots in dry air. Keep the AC from blowing straight on it.
Problems and fixes
Small leaves that stay narrow
Likely cause: Trailing instead of climbing, or too little light
Fix: Add a moss pole and move to a brighter spot; leaves widen as it climbs.
Yellow lower leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Let the top two inches dry between waterings.
Brown crispy tips
Likely cause: Very dry air or fertiliser build-up
Fix: Flush the soil, feed at half strength, mist the pole not the leaves.
Scorched pale patches
Likely cause: Direct sun
Fix: Move it back from the window.
Philodendron Silver Sword questions
Does Silver Sword need a moss pole?
Not to survive, but to look like the photos, yes. The leaves only reach full size when the plant is climbing.
Why are my leaves green, not silver?
Young plants and low light both give greener leaves. The silver develops on mature leaves in bright, filtered light.
Is Philodendron hastatum pet safe?
No. Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Philodendron Micans
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Toxic
Philodendron Melanochrysum
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Toxic
