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It boggle the head how readily the world will take a single misunderstanding and turn it into a monumental dirt .
The best instance of this in the industrial plant world is the Philodendron hastatum ( fil - Buckeye State - DEN - dron hass - TAH - tum ) .
In the mid-2000s , George S. Bunting note a plant being sold as Philodendron hastatum . However , this flora had a different leaf soma and other pronounced features .
He noted that since the name was already associated with another plant , this new plant need its own name . He paint a picture Philodendron domesticum .
Unfortunately , internet reader jumped to last based on the title of respect of an clause : “ Philodendron domesticum , A New Name for Philodendron hastatum Hort . [ Araceae ] ”
Thus , they laud that the actual Philodendron hastatum had been rename . But the renaming of this horticultural identity stealer had only been a hypnotism .
It is now accepted as its own metal money and bears the nickname “ spade folio philodendron . ”
In realism , this aboriginal of Southeastern Brazil always bore the proper name of Philodendron hastatum .
It was first described by K. Koch & Sellow in a paper circa 1854 - 1855 .
Neither the USDA nor GRIN have accepted this false rename myth .
deplorably , this is n’t the only metre the plant has suffered faulty assignment .
Sometimes it ’s sold as :
Also , while sometimes labeled as Philodendron hastatum ‘ Silver Sword , ’ the plant is an actual species , not a cultivar . Also , it is aptly nicknamed the silver sword philodendron .
Let ’s look beyond this plant ’s misfortunes to what makes this particular member of the Araceae household stand as a worthy , easily - grown houseplant .
Silver Sword Philodendron Care
Size And Growth
How you care for this plant directly affects its final size .
A well - sustain plant in loose soil will grow to 10′ metrical unit tall ( nearly half of its superlative in the wild ) and 5′ foot wide .
They ’re fairly fast growers able of acquire a new leafage every calendar month .
As with a large percent of Philos , this plant life is an avid climber . Therefore , it will appreciate respectable support , such as a bamboo magnetic pole or treillage .
The stem itself is thick and has short nodes , while the unbendable yet flexile leafstalk have a distinctive viosterol - conformation when cut in a crossbreed - division .
Yet the leaves are what draws most people to Philodendron hastatum .
Once matured , they ’re a mixture of gray - green and aristocratic - gray .
The leaves form an elongated heart that constringe along its duration instead of the wide shape of the Philodendron domesticum . It resembles an elephant ’s head .
As with most philodendrons , this plant ’s farewell undergo a metamorphosis as they mature .
New leave emerge from a cataphyll ( a alter , protective leaf cocktail dress ) and are oval - forge in visual aspect once they unfurl .
Flowering And Fragrance
As with most Philos , the florescence of this plant wo n’t deliver the goods any laurels .
If you want it to blossom for seeds , keep in judgment that it look at over a decennary for the plant to reach sexual maturity , even in utter growing conditions .
Thus , it ’s unlikely you ’ll ever see it come to blossom in a domestic setting .
Light And Temperature
Keep this industrial plant away from verbatim sunlight to nullify scorching .
Its leathered , shiny foliage will countenance it to develop in partial shadiness . But too much low light will make it leggy .
Instead , find a position with bright , indirect sunlight , filtered or dappled luminance . Or set it in a patch with full morning exposure and light afternoon ghost .
While the silver brand philodendron can grow well in average house humidness , it prefers a level of at least 50 % percentage .
habituate a pebble tray or humidifier to augment its local humidity degree . Grouping plants may only have limited success due to their height .
Although the leaf are short - live , it ’s good to mist this plant as the foliage are glossy and leathery .
Average household temperature are perfect for this plant life , which prefers a orbit of 65 ° – 80 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
Nighttime temperatures should stay about 5 ° degrees Fahrenheit cooler .
Keep it aside from drafts or sudden temperature break .
Outdoors , the plant can be mature in USDA hardiness zone 9 to 11 .
In accession , a potted specimen can live outside during affectionate weather in more northerly zona .
Watering And Fertilizing
As with most plants , use the soakage - and - ironical method acting on your silver medal sword .
Remember , it ’s always better to give too minuscule than too much . More onPhilodendron Fertilizer here .
Soil And Transplanting
As with most plants , you ’ll require informal , well - drain soil . This particular flora prefer sandy soil with plenty of constitutional fabric .
you could pot it in pure sphagnum moss or a mixing of peat and perlite or vermiculite .
Quality actus or African violet commixture with a routine of extra perlite can also be large choices .
Container specimens will need repotting , but there is no fit timeframe .
Plan to repot once the plant becomes rootbound ( you ’ll see root horn in out of the drainage holes ) .
Graduate to one container size of it gravid , usually 1″ to 2″ inches wider in diameter .
Grooming And Maintenance
Wipe the leaves monthly to remove any detritus and as an alibi to check for pestilence .
Pinch off any leggy stem and take away damage or pathologic leaf as necessary .
How To Propagate Silver-Sword?
Stem carving are the easiest and most popular means to disperse silver - sword . Or use seeds if you handle to get hold of some .
Silver Sword Philodendron Pests Or Diseases
As with most philodendrons , the facile sword is tender to cold and can decease in frost .
It ’s generally pest and disease - free but may put up the followers :
Higher humidity makes it more prone to fungal infections , and root word rot is the most prominent disease risk .
This industrial plant take high-pitched levels of atomic number 20 oxalate and is not safe for use by humans or pets .
It can make mild symptoms in adults but prove fateful or severe to smaller family members such as toddlers , cats , or dogs .
Philodendron Hastatum Uses
These plants make for a beautiful crampon in corners or beside magniloquent furniture .
They can also be grown in attend baskets for an attractive cascade of silvery foliage .
