Silver Sword Philodendron

Silver Sword Philodendron (Philodendron hastatum 'Silver Sword') is grown for a colour few indoor plants can match: arrow shaped leaves in a matte pewter blue that hold their metallic sheen year round. Given a moss pole it climbs to around 2.5m indoors while staying only about 80cm wide, so it adds height in a narrow spot. It is fast, forgiving and, importantly, toxic to cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Silver blue foliage, not variegation. The colour comes from the leaf surface itself, so it never reverts to green the way a variegated plant can.
• Height without bulk. Climbing to 2.5m in an 80cm footprint, it fills vertical space in a hallway where a bushy plant will not fit.
• Fast enough to reward you. In warm months it can push a new leaf every two to three weeks, each one larger than the last.
• Straightforward to keep alive. It tolerates ordinary indoor humidity and the occasional missed watering better than most collector aroids.

Where it works best

Indoors on a moss pole. Bright indirect light, two to three metres from a window, is ideal. The pole unlocks the larger mature leaves, since the plant reads the support as a tree trunk.

Pots and containers. Use a tall, stable pot with drainage. Aroid mixes with bark and perlite outperform standard potting mix, because the roots want air as much as moisture.

Sheltered balconies and courtyards. In tropical and subtropical gardens it grows outdoors in bright shade, climbing a post or a shaded wall, provided it is out of drying wind.

Growing Silver Sword Philodendron in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors anywhere in the country. Outdoors it is limited to tropical and subtropical zones, always in shade. It is frost tender and sulks below about 12 degrees, so in temperate and cool gardens keep it inside all year, away from cold draughts.

Soil. A chunky, free draining mix: quality indoor potting mix cut with orchid bark and perlite. Repot in spring every couple of years, or once roots fill the pot and water runs straight through.

Water and feed. Water when the top third of the mix is dry, then drain fully. Wet, airless mix is the main killer. Feed monthly with a diluted liquid fertiliser from spring to late summer, then stop.

Pruning. Cut back to just above a node to control length or encourage branching, and wear gloves because the sap irritates skin. Trimmings root easily in water or damp sphagnum, so a leggy plant becomes two.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied as tube stock: a young rooted plant with a few juvenile leaves, noticeably smaller and narrower than the mature foliage this plant is known for. That is the trade off for the price. Pot it up on arrival, give it a pole to climb, and the leaves enlarge steadily as it gains height.

Plants are packed upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect a settling fortnight, then a new leaf within four to six weeks in warm conditions. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Our full philodendron care guide
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• Exotic and rare plants worth collecting
• Indoor plant basics for beginners

Common questions

Is it safe around pets?

No. Like all philodendrons it contains calcium oxalate and is toxic to cats and dogs, causing mouth irritation and vomiting if chewed. Keep it out of reach, or choose a pet safe plant.

Why are the new leaves small?

Young plants produce juvenile foliage, and unsupported stems keep making it. Attach the plant to a moss pole and each successive leaf comes through larger.

Why are the leaves losing their silver sheen?

Usually low light or dust. Move it closer to a bright window out of direct sun, and wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks.