A gorgeous tropical plant worth keeping in your home or office, the silver sword is hardy and super low maintenance. Still, you might have noticed some signs that your silver sword plant has taken a turn for the worse.
If you’re thinking that your Philodendron hastatum plant is dying, there are steps you can take to breathe life back into it.
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A Silver Sword Plant Is a Great Choice for Your Home or Office
With silvery green leaves shaped like large, wide arrows, the silver sword plant is a lovely addition to any home or office. It will clean the air of toxins, and it even brings excellent feng shui energy into your home as a fire element.
Place it in an eastern-facing corner to bring wealth and financial prosperity. You can keep it all by itself in a large pot or surround it with other plants to provide plenty of humidity, so the silver sword feels right at home.
As a plant native to the tropical forests of South America, this plant wants humidity and bright, indirect natural light. Thus, it is ideal to keep this foliage near a bright, sunny window. Consider placing it in a vividly colored pot to offset the silver and green leaves.
Signs of a Dying Silver Sword Plant
Common signs you may have noticed in a dying silver sword plant include:
- Crispy leaves
- Yellow leaves
- Brown spots on leaves
- Mushy stems and leaves
- Soggy soils
- Visible pests
- Lackluster color
Common Causes of a Dying Silver Sword Plant
The most common causes of a dying silver sword plant are:
- Too much sun
- Not enough water
- Too much water
- Not enough humidity
Watering Needs of a Silver Sword Plant
The silver sword plant needs regular watering. It is a thirsty plant, so get used to checking the soil for moisture. To learn more about watering, take a look at this article on watering mistakes that might be killing your plant.
With a philodendron plant, you should learn to notice signs of it needing water. Stick your finger in the soil, and if you notice the top 1 inch of the soil is dry, go ahead and water it. If the topsoil is still moist, you can leave it for now.
Am I Underwatering My Silver Sword Plant?
If you notice the leaves of your plant are starting to wilt, it may be asking for water.
Restoring Water to Your Underwatered Silver Sword Plant
If the silver soil has been underwatered, simply take it outside and thoroughly water it until the water runs through the bottom of the pot. Then, be sure to stay on a regular watering schedule.
Am I Overwatering My Silver Sword Plant?
Signs you have been overwatering your silver sword plant include soggy soil and mushy stems.
Restoring Balance to Your Overwatered Silver Sword Plant
If you have overwatered your silver sword plant, you can first try simply moving it into a brighter, drier space in your home or office.
If the soil is soggy and the stems are mushy, you should probably repot it. To do this, remove the root ball from the pot and clean the pot out entirely. Lay the root ball on a screen in the sun until it dries out. Then replant the root ball in fresh, arid soil and get on a regular watering schedule.
Soil Needs of a Silver Sword Plant
The silver soil plant is a philodendron, which is known as an aroid plant, so it requires light, airy soil. You can find soil specifically designed for aroids, or you can make your own. Simply mix indoor potting soil with perlite then add a bit of orchid bark, and you’re set!
Soil Drainage Needs for a Silver Sword Plant
The silver sword calls for regular watering, so you’ll need a well-draining soil in a pot that drains through. That way, the soil will not sit in water.
Resolving Soil Drainage Issues for a Silver Sword Plant
If you do notice your soil is not draining, you can place pebbles in the bottom of the pot, or you can place the pot on a tray of pebbles. Just be sure the water always runs through the bottom, and the plant sits near a bright window.
Lighting Needs of a Silver Sword Plant
While the philodendron needs plenty of light, you want to make sure it is indirect light. Place it near a bright window or in a bright, sunny corner.
Watch to make sure the leaves and stems don’t burn in harsh, direct sun.
Resolving Lighting Issues for a Red Sister Plant
If you notice the leaves of the plant are burning and crisping or turning yellow, then move the plant away from direct light. If you notice the color of the plant is lackluster, you can move the plant closer to the window.
Pests or Diseases that Can Cause Issues with a Silver Sword Plant
The silver sword plant is subject to common indoor plant pests like mealybugs, thrips, fungus gnats, and scale. If you see pests on your plant, spray the leaves and the soil liberally with neem oil and wipe off any remaining pests or eggs.
If necessary, you can take the plant outside and spray it down with water to remove all excess bugs.
Fake Silver Sword Plants May Be an Additional Consideration
If, in the end, you notice the silver sword is just too hard to take care of, you can always invest in an artificial version. A high-quality fake philodendron can look just as real as the real thing.
If you’re worried about fake plants being off trend, check out my article on whether artificial plants and flowers are tacky here.
What do you think? Do you have any tips or tricks for keeping a silver sword plant alive or for nursing it back to health? Let me know in the comments. I love to hear from my readers!
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