How often should I water it?

Water when the top 2 to 3 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Does it need direct sun?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its silver color.

Plant guide

Silver Sword Philodendron.

Philodendron hastatum

Pronounced fill-oh-DEN-dron has-TAY-tum

Philodendron hastatum — Photo by Emily Abrego (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The Silver Sword is a stunning climber known for its metallic, silvery blue foliage. It is a fantastic choice for adding a modern, architectural look to your indoor space. You will love how its leaf shape evolves as the plant matures.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical vine
Light: Bright indirect light is best for maintaining that beautiful silvery sheen.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet indoors
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors

Care

Provide a moss pole to encourage climbing and larger leaf development. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, which often indicate overwatering. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust free and healthy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to maintain a bushier shape.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once roots fill the current container.
Soil: Well draining aroid mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 28°C
Humidity: 60 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years indoors.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active growing season.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause irritation to the mouth, throat, and stomach if chewed or swallowed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the leaves are toxic if ingested and can cause painful swelling.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Arrow shaped metallic silver leaves
Leaves transition to deep green
Vining growth habit
Glossy leaf texture

Height: 0.6 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: silver, blue-green, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 5 to 10cm

Problems to watch for

Spider mites · Tiny pests that cause fine webbing and stippling on the leaves.
Root rot · Caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents. Reduce watering slightly during the winter months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a stem section with at least one node.
2. Place the cutting in water or moist sphagnum moss.
3. Wait for roots to grow to 5 centimeters before potting.

Group plants with similar water needs together to maintain a consistent microclimate.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar humidity and light requirements.
Pothos · Both plants thrive in similar indoor conditions.

Similar species

Heartleaf Philodendron · It is a common relative with similar care needs but different leaf shapes.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Brazil
Conservation: It is considered rare in its native habitat and is protected in certain regions.

It grows as a climber in tropical rainforests, using its aerial roots to anchor itself to host trees.

Uses: ornamental houseplant, indoor air purification

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water when the top 2 to 3 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Does it need direct sun?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its silver color.

Where the name comes from

The name Philodendron comes from the Greek words philo meaning love and dendron meaning tree, referring to its climbing nature.

Good to know

The leaves change shape significantly as the plant matures.
It is a hemiepiphyte, meaning it starts life on the ground or in trees.
The metallic sheen on the leaves is a natural adaptation to low light levels.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your silver sword philodendron growing

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This guide was generated with AI on November 7, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.