Care of the indoor plant Philodendron hastatum or Silver Sword Philodendron |
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The genus Philodendron, family of the Araceae, includes 120 species native to Brazil, Guyana and Colombia. Some species are: Philodendron hastatum, Philodendron selloum, Philodendron scandens, Philodendron speciosum, Philodendron Birkin, Philodendron giganteum, Philodendron verrucosum, Philodendron andreanum, Philodendron sanguineum, Philodendron giganteum, Philodendron imbe. Common name: Silver Sword Philodendron. This species is native to Colombia. They are tropical climbing plants with stems wrapped in a stipule and adventitious roots. They have large glossy dark green leaves that are lance-shaped with an arrow-shaped base. They do not usually bloom. They are used as indoor or greenhouse plants due to their tropical origin. Help them climb with a moss-covered stake. The Philodendron hastatum needs a very bright exposure but without receiving direct sunlight. They do not resist temperatures below 16 ºC (60.8 ºF) or drafts. The soil can be a mixture of heather soil and peat. Water frequently in summer and more sparingly in winter. It's important to water with lime-free water. They do not need pruning but to get the plant to produce new stems it's convenient to remove the upper buds. Fertilize monthly in summer with mineral fertilizer; the rest of the year do it quarterly. They are propagated from cuttings; root in a substrate with peat and sand. |
Images of the indoor plant Philodendron hastatum or Silver Sword Philodendron |
 Philodendron hastatum  Philodendron hastatum  Philodendron hastatum |