{"product_id":"red-sword-apoballis-acuminatissima","title":"Red Sword - Apoballis acuminatissima","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Sword (\u003cem\u003eApoballis acuminatissima\u003c\/em\u003e), long sold as \u003cem\u003eSchismatoglottis acuminatissima\u003c\/em\u003e, is a broad leaved indoor plant with deep green leaves spotted in silver grey on red stems. It grows to about 60cm high and 50cm wide, and its red new growth unfurls into variegated leaves. It comes from the forests of Borneo, Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSilver spotted leaves on red stems.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep green leaves splashed with silver grey sit on red stems, and the underside of each leaf has a faint metallic purple sheen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed new growth.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh red shoots unfurl into variegated leaves, so the plant keeps changing as it grows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn uncommon aroid.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a rare and handsome relative of alocasia, caladium and dieffenbachia, and not a plant every neighbour will have.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It thrives in humid, shaded spots where many other plants sulk, indoors or on a frost free patio.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSimple routine.\u003c\/strong\u003e Regular water, a little feed and a damp mist keep it happy, with a tidy up of old leaves now and then.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors and interior schemes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright indirect light and a humid room suit it. Use it on a console, in a corner or in a bathroom with a window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShaded, frost free patios.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a pot under cover it brings dark, spotted foliage to a tropical style patio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderplanting in tropical gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 45cm apart beneath trees and large leaved plants in a shaded, frost free garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Red Sword in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in a humid, shady spot with bright indirect sunlight, and keep it out of direct sun. It needs a frost free home, so it grows outdoors in tropical and subtropical gardens and indoors anywhere in the country. It likes high humidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil or a good quality potting mix suits it. The plant prefers to be moist but not wet around the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly during the first 12 weeks, then only when the soil seems dry. Feed with a liquid fertiliser at half strength every few weeks while it establishes, then every second month. Indoors, a regular spritz on the leaves keeps it happy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove dead leaves for a quick tidy up. There is no other pruning to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Red Sword as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back. A tube is a small plant, and its leaves take time to reach the full spotted pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants travel upright and settle fast. Pot up soon after delivery in a good potting mix and keep it in bright, indirect light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/elephant-ears\"\u003eElephant ears and alocasias\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/house-indoor-plants\"\u003eBrowse house and indoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eMore tropical plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/indoor-exotic-plants-guide\"\u003eGrowing tropical foliage at home\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Red Sword safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Like other aroids, including dieffenbachia and alocasia, it is toxic if chewed. Keep it where pets and young children cannot reach it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is it called Apoballis now?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant was long sold as Schismatoglottis acuminatissima, and has since been reclassified as Apoballis acuminatissima. It is the same plant under a newer name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need humidity?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It comes from humid rainforest, so high humidity suits it. Indoors, regular water and a spritz on the leaves keep it happy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790878998847,"sku":"APO-ACU-tube","price":28.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/red-sword-apoballis-acuminatissima.jpg?v=1792211003","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/red-sword-apoballis-acuminatissima","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}