Philodendron Hastatum: The Beginners Care Guide -

Have you been wanting to get a Philodendron Hastatum but want to know how to care for it before you buy one?

More and more people are discovering the joys of gardening and embarking on plant ownership. It can be a very rewarding experience and is linked to improved well-being and stress relief.

This ultimate care guide was developed to help you take the best care of your Philodendron Hastatum and help it thrive in your home.

Here are the topics that will be covered in this care guide:

About Philodendron Hastatum
How to Care for Your Philodendron Hastatum
- Soil
- Water
- Light
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Fertilizer
Propagating Philodendron Hastatum
Is Philodendron Hastatum Toxic?
Is Philodendron Silver Sword Rare?
5 Common Problems with Philodendron Hastatum and How to Solve Them
Tips for Keeping Your Philodendron Hastatum Happy
If You Like Philodendron Hastatum, You May Like These Plants

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About Philodendron Hastatum

Philodendron Hastatum is a lovely plant from the Araceae family and the Philodendron genus. There are close to 500 plants in the philodendron genus and the Philo Hastatum is a very unique species and worth adding to your collection.

It has become a very popular houseplant because of the unique look that it has and how easy it is to grow and take care of. Philodendron Hastatum is an excellent plant for beginning and expert home gardeners alike.

The Philodendron Hastatum has many nicknames due to its unusual leaf shape and colour. It is quite common to hear it referred to as the Hastatum Silver Sword or the Silver Sword Philodendron plant or even the Philodendron Silver Sword.

All these nicknames are a result of the plant having sword or arrow-shaped glossy leaves in a blue-green or blue-grey colour that looks silver in certain lighting. There is an almost metallic or mirror-like appearance to the leaves, especially younger leaves.

As the leaves mature, they will become more arrow-shaped and the colour of the leaves tends to get darker. You will be able to see the difference between juvenile and more mature leaves and the contrast between the two adds to the impressive effect of the overall plant.

Philodendron Hastatum is a climbing plant.

As the plant grows and matures, it will want to spread out and you can best support the plant by providing structures for it to climb on such as a trellis, post, or even some twine that is strung up for it.

How to Care for Your Philodendron Hastatum

Philodendron Silver Sword care is not challenging and it does not take much to help your Hastatum Philodendron thrive.

The plant is very forgiving and continues to grow well even if you accidentally neglect it for short periods.

Here are six areas to consider when providing Philodendron Hastatum care:

Soil

Soil with good drainage is necessary for the Hastatum as plants from the Aroid family grow best with this kind of soil.

Philodendron Hastatum grows well in soil that is airy such as retail potting mix that is mixed with orchid bark or charcoal and contains organic matter such as sphagnum peat.

You can also explore soilless options for your plant as it can also grow in perlite and vermiculite.

Water

While the Philodendron Hastatum Silver can tolerate some overwatering better than other plants in the same family, they can still be susceptible to root rot and it would be best to try to avoid overwatering as much as possible.

Before you water the plant, test the dryness of the soil by using your finger to check how wet the soil is about an inch below the surface.

If the soil is still damp, wait a day or two for the soil to dry up before watering the plant. Doing this can ensure that you do not overwater the plant and provide the right amount of water that it actually needs.

Light

Philodendron Hastatum grows in tropical rainforests and is normally not exposed to direct sunlight. It would be helpful to provide indirect or filtered sunlight for the plant to try to replicate its natural environment and will contribute greatly towards your Silver Sword Philodendron care.

Areas that tend to provide this type of lighting are east-facing windows or some distance from north or west-facing windows.

You will need to explore different options to find a location that provides enough light while not providing too much light. If the leaves are less dense or small, likely, your plant is not receiving enough light while yellow leaves indicate that there is too much light.

Temperature

The Philodendron Silver Sword is not too temperature sensitive but it does best in temperatures between 65℉ (18℃) and 80℉ (27℃) during the day and as low as 60℉ (16℃) at night.

Due to how well it adapts to its environment, Philodendron Hastatum can be grown both indoors and outdoors quite well. If you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures, it is advisable to keep your plant indoors.

Humidity

Unlike temperature, the Silver Sword Hastatum is not too sensitive towards humidity and generally grows well in average room conditions.

If your plant is otherwise healthy, drooping yellow leaves could be a sign that the area is too dry for your Philodendron Hastatum and you can increase moisture in the air by misting your plants or using a room humidifier.

Fertilizer

The Philo Hastatum Silver will benefit from some mild fertilizer every month during the growing seasons in spring and summer and every 2-3 months in fall and winter.

You can use whatever fertilizer you normally use for your house plants but dilute it to half-strength to avoid overfertilizing the plant. If you think you might have overfertilized the plant, you can always flush the soil to remove any buildup.

Propagating Philodendron Hastatum

The Hastatum Silver can be propagated easily through stem cuttings. Here are the steps that you can take to ensure that your propagation is successful:

Choose a stem that has a few leaves and at least 1-2 nodes
Make a clean cut below the nodes
Place the cutting in a container with clean water and wait for roots to form (this can take a few weeks and up to a month)
Change the water every few days to ensure that it is clean
Once roots have formed, you can plant the cutting in a new pot
Enjoy your new plant!

Is The Philodendron Hastatum Toxic?

Like other plants in the Araceae family, the Philo Hastatum silver sword contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals which can be toxic to humans and pets.

Try to keep the plant away from your children and pets as exposure to the sap through touch and consumption can cause skin and/or gastrointestinal tract irritations.

Always seek immediate medical assistance if this happens. Get into the habit of using gardening gloves when you are handling your Philodendron Silver Sword to limit exposure to the sap.

Is Philodendron Silver Sword Rare?

The Philodendron Silver Sword is quite an uncommon and rare plant due to its unusual silver-green leaves.

When you see a Silver Sword Philodendron for sale, take precautions and check that you are not intentionally or unintentionally being given another plant that looks similar such as the Pothos Cebu Blue (Epipremnum pinnatum).

While they might look alike, the Philodendron Silver Sword is not the same as the Pothos Cebu Blue. Although the colour of their leaves is similar, the shape of the leaves is different. The Philodendron Silver Sword has sharper leaves while the Pothos Cebu Blue has rounder leaves.

5 Common Problems with Philodendron Hastatum and How to Solve Them

Dull leaves

If your Silver Sword Hastatum has dull leaves, the most likely explanation is that it is not receiving enough light. Try providing more light and watch as the leaves brighten up again.

Be careful to not overdo it and stick with providing indirect or filtered sunlight.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on your Philodendron Hastatum are a sign that your plant is receiving too much or too little water. Check the soil to determine if it is too dry or too wet.

If the soil is too dry, give your plant a good watering but if the soil is too wet, refrain from watering your plant for a few days until the soil dries out again.

Drooping plant

If you find that the whole plant is drooping, likely, you have not provided enough support for the plant to trail along. Philodendron Silver Sword is a trailing plant and likes to climb in its environment.

Add a post, trellis, or some other kind of structure to provide space for the plant to climb.

Leaves only growing on one side

The Philodendron Hastatum tends to follow the sun and the leaves tend to grow in the direction of the sun.

If the leaves on your plant appear to be growing on only one side of the plant, chances are that they are growing in the direction that is facing the light. To remedy this, rotate your plant occasionally so that all sides of the plant are getting equal exposure to the light.

Aphids & Mealybugs

Not many pests usually attack the Philodendron Hastatum but you might sometimes find that it is being attacked by aphids or mealybugs. Unless it is a severe infestation, this can usually be resolved quite easily and your plant will recover well.

Aphids can be identified by stunted or yellow leaves and sticky substances on the stems. Aphids tend to hide under the leaves so you can check there to see if you can spot these small insects.

You can get rid of aphids by spraying the plants with mild soapy water.

Mealybugs can usually be identified by the white fuzzy substances that show up on the leaves and stems of the plant. Mealybugs can be mistaken for fungus or mildew so take a close look at the plant to identify the problem.

Use a mixture of rubbing alcohol, mild dish soap, and water to spray the entire plant.

3 Tips for Keeping Your Philodendron Hastatum Happy

Philodendron Hastatum is quite an easy plant to keep happy as it adapts well to the environment and is not very needy.

Here are 3 quick tips to keep your plant happy.

Trim the Philodendron Silver Sword regularly to encourage growth and thicker foliage
Provide support options like a trellis or post for your plant to grow
Keep an eye on the leaf color as this can be a useful guide to evaluate the health of the plant.

If You Like Philodendron Hastatum, You May Like These Plants

Philodendron Birkin

Philodendron Birkin is one of the first Philodendrons that started getting people interested in this family of plants.

It has an attractive leaf pattern with multiple greens and a radial pattern. It is a fairly low-maintenance plant and is quite affordable given its popularity.

Philodendron Micans

Philodendron Micans is a lovely hanging plant with heart-shaped leaves and would look lovely in your windows. Its vines can trail as long as six feet and it is quite easy to care as long as you ensure that the soil is well-draining and the light is suitable for it.

Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron Brasil gets its name from its heart-shaped leaves that are green and yellow like the flag of Brazil. This fun little plant will add a pop of colour to your home and is quite low maintenance like other Philodendrons.

Philodendron Cordatum

Philodendron Cordatum is a delightful trailing houseplant that thrives as a houseplant. The leaves are similar to the Philodendron Brasil with differences in coloring. It is fairly easy to care for and it will add some brightness to your home.

Conclusion

The Silver Sword Philodendron price will depend on your location. Reach out to local and online plant nurseries to see how you can get your hands on this amazing plant.

The next time you see a Philodendron Hastatum for sale, say hello to this unique plant and welcome it to your home. You will enjoy having this plant around and it will be the envy of your family and friends that visit.

Philodendron Hastatum: The Beginners Care Guide

About Philodendron Hastatum

How to Care for Your Philodendron Hastatum