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Silver Sword philodendron is Philodendron hastatum, a climbing philodendron, not a pothos. NC State Extension describes silvery leaves that start out arrow-shaped and, with maturity, "tend to elongate and become tri-lobed," and says the plant needs a moss pole or trellis. NC State names calcium oxalate crystals as its toxic principle and tags it a problem for cats and dogs.
What Silver Sword philodendron is
Kew's Plants of the World Online accepts the name Philodendron hastatum K.Koch & Sello, in the arum family, Araceae. It gives the native range as "SE. Brazil" and describes the species as a climber of the wet tropical biome. NC State Extension calls it "a tropical, climbing herbaceous perennial" of the shaded understory of tropical rain forests, and gives Silver Sword Philodendron as its common name. NC State also lists 'Silver Sword' under cultivars and varieties, described as having "metallic silver leaves that resemble a sword's blade."
Older names. NC State lists two names the species was previously known by, Philodendron elongatum and Philodendron hastifolium. POWO lists both as synonyms of P. hastatum: "Philodendron elongatum Engl." (1878) and "Philodendron hastifolium Regel" (1856). POWO lists two more synonyms, Philodendron disparile Schott and Philodendron simsii K.Koch, the second marked as an illegitimate name (POWO, NC State).
NC State notes that the specific epithet, hastatum, "is Latin and means 'armed with a spear'" (NC State).
Silver Sword is a philodendron, not a pothos
Searches for "silver sword pothos" mix up two genera. POWO accepts this plant in the genus Philodendron, and NC State's page for it uses only the name Silver Sword Philodendron; the word "pothos" does not appear on it (POWO, NC State). Pothos are Epipremnum: Clemson HGIC's pothos factsheet covers Epipremnum species (Clemson).
The closest pothos look-alike is Cebu Blue pothos, Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'. Both are climbing aroids with silvery-blue leaves, but the sources describe them differently:
| Silver Sword philodendron | Cebu Blue pothos | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Philodendron hastatum (POWO) | Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' (NC State) |
| Leaves | "metallic silver, silvery-blue, or silvery-green," copper-colored undersides (NC State) | "small, narrow, lance-shaped blue-green leaves" (NC State); "silvery-blue foliage" (Clemson) |
| Mature leaves | Elongate and "become tri-lobed" (NC State) | "Mature and become fenestrated" on a stake or moss pole (NC State) |
| NC State poison severity | Low (NC State) | Medium (NC State) |
For the broader differences between the two genera as houseplants, see pothos vs. philodendron.
How to identify Silver Sword philodendron
NC State's description gives these features (NC State):
- Color: "The foliage is metallic silver, silvery-blue, or silvery-green." New leaves "emerge in a reddish-orange color," and the leaves then "become blue-green with silver highlights."
- Shape: The leaves "grow upright" and are "long and sword-shaped or lanceolate."
- Undersides: "The undersides of the leaves are copper colored."
- Habit: A climber; NC State lists its climbing method as clinging.
- Flowers: "The flowers are a spadix surrounded by a spathe, but indoor plants rarely flower."
NC State's page does not mention variegation, and it describes no variegated form of the plant.
Juvenile vs. mature leaves
NC State: "Initially the leaves are arrow-shaped, but with maturity they tend to elongate and become tri-lobed" (NC State). Its leaf notes add that new leaves emerge reddish-orange and become blue-green with silver highlights. NC State does not give a leaf length or an age at which the shape changes, and, unlike its page for Cebu Blue pothos, it does not tie the mature leaf form to a support.
How big does Silver Sword philodendron get?
"In the home, it can reach up to 10 to 15 feet tall and 2 feet wide," according to NC State, which also says that "when grown outdoors, it can grow up to 20 to 30 feet tall." NC State's attribute table lists a height of 10 to 15 feet, a width of 1 to 2 feet and a rapid growth rate. Clemson HGIC's general philodendron factsheet adds that vining types "can be limited in height by the height of their support and by training and pruning" (Clemson).
Silver Sword philodendron care
These recommendations come from NC State's Philodendron hastatum page (NC State).
Light. "This plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight." NC State warns, "Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch the leaves," and rates the plant for partial shade, defined as direct sun for 2 to 6 hours a day (NC State).
Water and soil. NC State calls for "moist, well-drained, rich soil," lists soil high in organic matter with good drainage and an acidic pH (below 6.0), and warns that "overwatering can cause root rot" (NC State). See root rot for symptoms and fixes.
Temperature. "The room temperature should average between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit." NC State adds, "Avoid cold drafts or sudden drops in the temperature" (NC State).
Humidity. NC State says the plant prefers high humidity and suggests, "In dry climates, consider using a humidifier or place the plant on a tray of pebbles with water" (NC State). See how to increase humidity for plants.
Pests and leaf spots. NC State says to monitor for spider mites, mealybugs, aphids and scale insects, and to "provide good air circulation and do not let the leaves get wet while watering to prevent leaf spots" (NC State).
For care that applies across the genus, see the philodendron care guide.
Climbing support
NC State is direct: "A moss pole or trellis is needed to support this climbing philodendron." It lists the climbing method as clinging and describes the plant as a climber of tropical rain forest understories (NC State). POWO also classifies the species as a climber (POWO). For setting one up, see how to use a moss pole or build a DIY moss pole.
Propagation
NC State's recommended propagation method for P. hastatum is stem cuttings (NC State). Clemson HGIC's general philodendron factsheet says the plants "may be propagated at any season from stem cuttings, or by air layering" (Clemson). The steps in how to propagate philodendron apply.
Is Silver Sword philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?
NC State's Philodendron hastatum page tags the plant as a problem for cats, a problem for dogs and poisonous if ingested. It rates the poison severity as low, names calcium oxalate crystals as the toxic principle, and lists the flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap, seeds and stems as poisonous parts. Its symptom notes say, "If ingested, it can cause mouth and stomach irritation. The sap causes skin irritation," and it marks the plant as causing contact dermatitis (NC State).
The ASPCA's plant list has no Silver Sword entry, and no ASPCA entry located for this guide is listed under Philodendron hastatum or its former names. The ASPCA does have a genus-level record: its Philodendron Pertusum entry gives the scientific name as "Philodendron spp," lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and names insoluble calcium oxalates as the toxic principle. That record is for the genus, not for this species by name. For more on the genus, see are philodendrons toxic to cats?
If a pet chewed or swallowed part of the plant, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Frequently asked
Sources: NC State Extension: Philodendron hastatum, Kew POWO: Philodendron hastatum, NC State Extension: Epipremnum pinnatum, Clemson HGIC: How to Grow Pothos Indoors, Clemson HGIC: Philodendron, ASPCA: Philodendron Pertusum, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center