In this blog post, you’re going to learn how to easily propagate and care for Silver Sword Philodendron.
This is a comprehensive guide covering reliable information about different aspects of this cultivated variety.
In this post, I’ll cover:
- Interesting Facts
- Propagation
- Repotting
- Care
And
- Solutions to Common Problems
So, if you are looking to propagate and care for Silver Sword Philodendron, this guide is for you.
Fun Facts
Silver Sword is a climbing species of Philodendron with large, arrow-shaped, silvery green leaves. Its natural habitat is the rainforests of South America, so it requires high humidity and moisture for its optimum growth.
Its leaves are silvery at the start and turn metallic silvery when it gets mature. Moreover, due to its unique arrow shape, it is called a Silver Sword Philodendron.
As it is a climbing plant, it can climb over neighboring trees and vines.
| Common Name | Silver Sword Philodendron |
| Botanical Name | Philodendron hastatum |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 156 inches tall2 inches wide |
| Sun Exposure | Indirect sunlight |
| Soil Type | Aerated, moist soil |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Native Area | South America |
| Toxic | Toxic to pets and humans |
| Growth | Slow |
Benefits
This fantastic plant comes with several benefits, such as the following:
- It is a decorative plant.
- It purifies air from toxins.
- It is beneficial for clean breathing.
Propagation
The best way to propagate this Philodendron is through its stem cuttings. It is quite easy if you will follow the below-given steps:
- First of all, make small cuttings of about 4 to 5 inches. The stem cutting must be a healthy branch. It should have three to four leaves.
- Now remove the leaves from the stem cutting to avoid rotting in the water.
- Take a water jar and dip the stem cutting in the water. Ensure that no leave is in the water. Only nodes should be in the water. You have to wait for the roots to appear on the nodes. It can take a few weeks.
- When you observe roots of about two inches, you have to transfer the stm cutting to a pot. For this, make a potting soil mixture in the pot. Pour some water into the soil to make it soft.
- Make a small hole in the soil with a pen. Now, put the cutting in that soil.
Make sure you use sterilized tools to cut the stem cutting and remove the leaves from the cutting. Moreover, you have to provide a warm environment and a moist soil mixture to this stem cutting until it grows into a mature plant.
Repotting
Generally, repotting is required after every one or two years. However, you should repot when you observe the following signs:
- Roots are sprouting from the drainage holes.
- The plant is wilting.
- Growth has stopped.
It is necessary to repot after you observe these signs. Follow the below-given steps to repot your Silver Sword Philodendron:
- Pour some water into the pot to soften the soil.
- Now, tilt the pot to remove the extra soil from the pot.
- Try to get the plant out of its pot without damaging its roots.
- Trim the damaged or dead roots without disturbing the main root.
- Now, take a new pot of larger size and fill its lower part with soil mixture.
- Then, hold the plant in the center and fill the pot slowly with the soil.
Ensure that the soil is loose and airy. Moreover, keep the soil moist for some days. It is recommended that your philodendron be repotted in the spring, as growth is at the maximum rate this season.
Care
Pruning
Pruning involves the removal of dead, damaged, and diseased leaves and branches. Therefore, if you want to remove these parts from your Philodendron, you should follow the below-given steps:
- Collect sharp, disinfectant pruners like a pair of scissors or a knife, as well as gloves.
- Now, observe your Silver Sword Philodendron for removable parts.
- Use these tools to cut these parts a little above their nodes. New leaves will grow from these nodes.
- Cut all these parts with minimum loss of the plant. Never cut more than 25% of the total plant mass.
In this way, you can prune your Philodendron. But make sure you are pruning in their growth phase.
Soil
Silver Sword Philodendron is an aroid plant. Therefore, you will need well-aerated and moist soil for its proper growth. You can either buy from the market or make it yourself. To make such well-aerated and moisture-retaining soil, mix the following constituents.
- Potting soil
- Perlite
- Orchid bark
Pot
There are several materials, such as terracotta(clay), ceramic, plastic, etc., used to make pots. You have to choose the one with proper drainage holes. Additionally, the pot’s diameter must be between 12 and 30 inches.
Water
This plant needs more water in spring and summer due to its fast growth. You may need to water once in a week. However, this will require less water in autumn and winter, so water after two weeks. It is recommended to check the soil before watering to see whether its surface is dry or not.
Light
Silver Sword Philodendron requires bright but indirect sunlight. Their leaves will scorch in direct sunlight. At the same time, leaves will droop when there is not enough light. Moreover, sudden changes in light can affect the leaves. They can even lose their yellow, golden color velvety luster due to a lower amount of light. Therefore, you should maintain eight to ten hours of bright, indirect sunlight.
Fertilizer
All plants need an adequate amount of nutrients for proper growth. Fertilizers are there to provide your plants with the required amount of nutrients. However, you should use a diluted solution of fertilizer. In this way, you can prevent the logging of chemicals in the roots and leaves.
During the growth phase, you should fertilize once a month. However, you can stop fertilization in the dormant phase during autumn and winter.
Placement
The placement of the pot depends upon the amount of light and humidity needed by the plant. As Silver Sword Philodendron needs bright and indirect sunlight, you have to place them in the shade or behind the curtains of the windows that are continuously receiving sunlight.
However, if your kitchens and washrooms are appropriately equipped, you can place your Philodendron there.
Common Problems
Silver Sword Philodendron is exposed to a number of pests and diseases. So, you should keep an eye on any kind of changes on its leaves. Here are some of the most common problems of this Philodendron:
Pests
Several pests can affect the leaves of this Philodendron. Some of them are the following:
- Fungus gnats
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Scales
- Whiteflies
These pests can cause root rot, leaf spots, and blights. Moreover, there are a number of other effects, such as brown leaves, yellowing, and wilting of leaves.
Their treatment is simple. You can spray any kind of soft pesticide or neem oil. Moreover, it is recommended that these infected leaves and roots be removed immediately, as they can affect healthy plants and leaves.
Fungal Diseases
When you observe the discoloration of leaves, black or brown spots, rotten smell, or stunted growth, it will be the fungus. These are produced due to the damp conditions of the soil, poor drainage, and the contaminated soil or plant.
The best way to treat such diseases is by repotting, providing proper aeration, and using a fungicide in a mild quantity.
Brown Tips
Leaves can develop brown tips for different reasons. Some of the most common causes of browning of leaves are sunburn or lack of water. However, it can be caused by fungus infections.
To treat brown tips, you should provide indirect sunlight, a medium quantity of water, and protect the plant from the fungus.
Curling Leaves
There are two types of leaf curling. When leaves curl upward, it is due to underwatering. However, when they curl downward, it is due to overwatering. So, you can easily treat them by regulating the water conditions of the plant.
Yellow Leaves
Leaves turn yellow due to several causes. Some of them are given below:
- Leaves are too old.
- Due to low moisture.
- The humidity level is too low.
- Improper light can also cause yellowing.
So, you can avoid the yellowing of the leaves by maintaining proper conditions.
Ready to Grab a Silver Sword Philodendron to add beauty to your home garden?
All the above information is reliable, and you’ll see outstanding results if you want to grow or care for this plant.