Description
Silver Sword Philodendron – Philodendron hastatum
Silver Sword Philodendron (Philodendron hastatum) is a beautiful tropical climbing aroid prized for its distinctive metallic silver-blue foliage and elegant growth habit.
Young plants produce attractive elongated leaves which become increasingly pronounced as the plant matures, developing the characteristic sword-shaped foliage responsible for the common name Silver Sword.
Its combination of striking colour, climbing growth and tolerance of warm, humid conditions makes it particularly useful as a feature plant in tropical bioactive vivariums and terrariums.
Why We Like Silver Sword for Bioactive Vivariums
- Striking foliage – metallic silver-blue leaves provide excellent contrast against green planting.
- Natural climbing habit – ideal for growing against cork bark, branches and textured vivarium backgrounds.
- Excellent vertical planting – useful for filling the middle and upper areas of taller enclosures.
- Warm and humid conditions – well suited to the environment found in many tropical bioactive setups.
- Easy to manage – regular pruning allows the plant to be maintained at an appropriate size.
Where Should I Plant It?
Silver Sword is best positioned towards the middle or rear of the vivarium, where it has something to climb.
Providing cork bark, branches or a suitable background allows the plant to establish its natural climbing growth habit. As it matures and gains support, it can produce progressively larger and more impressive foliage.
Lighting
Philodendron hastatum prefers bright, indirect light. Good-quality tropical vivarium LED lighting is generally suitable, although the plant should not be positioned extremely close to an intense light source where the leaves could become damaged.
Water & Humidity
Silver Sword appreciates the warm, humid environment found in a tropical vivarium but should still be planted into a free-draining substrate.
Keep the root zone reasonably moist while allowing excess water to drain away. Avoid permanently saturated or waterlogged conditions around the roots.
Growth & Maintenance
This is naturally a climbing species and, given sufficient time and support, can develop into a substantial plant.
In a vivarium it can easily be kept under control through regular pruning. Healthy cuttings can also be propagated, making Silver Sword a useful plant for anyone maintaining multiple tropical enclosures.
Is Silver Sword Right for My Vivarium?
Silver Sword is particularly well suited to medium and larger tropical vivariums where there is sufficient vertical space for climbing growth.
For smaller enclosures, more regular pruning will be required to prevent the plant from dominating the available planting space.
Plant Details
- Common name: Silver Sword Philodendron
- Botanical name: Philodendron hastatum
- Plant type: Tropical climbing aroid
- Growth habit: Climbing
- Foliage: Metallic silver-blue
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Humidity: Moderate to high
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Suitable for: Bioactive vivariums, tropical terrariums and houseplant collections
Please Note
Plants are living products and will naturally vary in size, shape and colour. The plant supplied may therefore differ slightly from the example photographed.
Supplied as an established rooted plant.
