Full Specimen Plate
Philodendron hastatum
Silver Sword Philodendron
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Pricing Data Key
Community price estimate based on limited sales history
Market Analysis
Philodendron hastatum Price Guide & Auction Value
Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.
No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.
Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- Check that roots are firm and white to tan — avoid plants with black, slimy, or absent roots
- Inspect leaf undersides for thrips (tiny dark specks or silvery streaking) and mealybugs (white cottony deposits at leaf axils)
- Verify the plant has at least 2–3 healthy leaves and shows signs of active growth
- For listings showing only one photo, request images of the roots, underside of leaves, and any new growth before purchasing
Philodendron hastatum Morphology
About Philodendron hastatum
Philodendron hastatum is a climbing Brazilian aroid from the humid Atlantic forest environments of southeastern Brazil, growing on tree trunks in shaded understory with constant moisture, high humidity, and filtered light. It is distinguished by the metallic silver-green to blue-silver sheen of its leaf surface, pronounced enough that the plant is known in the hobby as the 'Silver Sword' Philodendron. The distinctly hastate leaves have elongated anterior lobes and comparatively short basal lobes, carried on long petioles that arise from sheathing nodes on slender aerial-rooted stems. Hastatum suits collectors who prefer subtle, cool-toned foliage over the dark velvet leaves of costlier species, and it grows vigorously once settled.
Native Range
Brazil
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Philodendron hastatum
Single-node cuttings root readily in moist sphagnum or water. Maintain 70%+ humidity and bottom warmth for best results.
Care Guide
Philodendron hastatum Care Guide & Growing Conditions
High-porosity mix: 50% perlite, 30% orchid bark, 20% coco coir. Good aeration is essential — philodendrons are prone to root rot in dense substrates.
Water thoroughly when the top 3–4 cm of substrate is dry. Ensure free drainage and never allow to sit in water. Reduce frequency in winter.
60–80% preferred. UK tap water can cause brown tips — use rainwater or filtered water where possible.
Balanced liquid fertiliser (e.g. 20-20-20) at quarter strength every two weeks in spring and summer. Monthly at most in winter.
Every 12–18 months or when roots circle the base of the pot. Move up one pot size only — oversized pots increase rot risk.
Common Problems
Brown leaf tips
Low humidity or fluoride/chlorine in tap water
Increase ambient humidity and switch to rainwater or filtered water
Yellow leaves
Overwatering or compacted substrate
Allow substrate to dry further between waterings; check root health and repot if necessary
Leggy growth with small leaves
Insufficient light
Move to a brighter position with more indirect light
Silver Sword, Accessible
Philodendron hastatum from southeastern Brazil's Atlantic Forest — the 'Silver Sword' philodendron, named for the silvery-blue juvenile leaf colouration that fades as the plant matures into less chromatic but broader adult leaves. Uncommon but accessible. At single-tier pricing that reflects its increasing availability through tissue culture. The juvenile silvery phase is the collector's preferred stage; the adult form is respectable but less distinctive. Grows well on a moss pole and is significantly more forgiving than the rare velvet Philodendron that share shelf space with it in specialist nurseries.
