Growing guide · Houseplant

Apoballis acuminatissima

How to grow Red Sword Plant 'Opulence'.

Silver on top, burgundy underneath.

Light
Medium
Water
High
Zones
Indoors, any
Size
12–24 in. tall
Pot
4.5 or 6.5 in. pot; size up one inch at a time.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $25
Plant with sword-shaped silver-patterned leaves and burgundy stems

Light

Medium, indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the silver.

Water

Keep the soil lightly moist, never soggy. Water again as soon as the surface starts to dry.

Pot and soil

A moisture-holding but airy mix of potting soil, peat or coir and perlite. It likes humidity.

Pot it inRosy Aroid Soil · 4 qtChunky and airy, the way climbing aroids like it. 4 qt repots 2–3 plants. Peat-free, by Rosy Soil

Feeding

Half-strength liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer.

Grooming

Cut old or damaged leaves at the base.

Through the year

Spring and summer: feed lightly and keep the soil evenly moist. Fall and winter: heated air is the enemy, so add humidity, stop feeding and keep it away from vents.

If something's off

Brown tips mean dry air or a dried-out pot. Yellow lower leaves usually mean too much water. Keep it away from pets that nibble.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Drop Tongue Plant 'Rivera'
SchismatoglottisDrop Tongue Plant 'Rivera' from $35
Alocasia 'Quicksilver'Sold out · notify me
Alocasia bismaAlocasia 'Quicksilver' from $25 Notify me when it's back

Why we stock it: It's an uncommon aroid that behaves better than most common ones.

That's the whole guide. Thanks for reading.

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