Silver stripe vs. Brazil are attractive climbing plants from the Araceae Aroid family. Gardeners are quickly drawn to them thanks to their easy maintenance, beautiful pattern of leaf variegation, and numerous benefits.
While these plants have many similarities, they also have distinctive features to tell them apart. Read on to know which of them would suit you best.
| Features | Silver Stripe | Brazil |
| Leaf shape | Heart-shaped | Resemble the Brazilian flag |
| Leaf variegation | Cream, silver, and dark green stripes run from the center to the edge of the leaf | Yellow, light-green, or dark green stripe running from the center to the edge of the leaf. |
| Leaf color | Dark green | Deep, dark green |
| Plant size | 19 inches | six to 36 inches |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets and people | Toxic to pets and people |
Contents
What Are the Significant Differences Between Silver Stripe and Brazil?
The significant difference between silver stripe and Brazil is the pattern of their variegation. The silver stripe has a beautiful silvery white variegation originating from the leaf’s center to the edge, hence its name. Whereas, Brazil’s leaf has a lime-green stripe running from the center to the edge.
Besides the conspicuous silver stripe on philodendron silver, the leaf shape of these two plants differ. Silver stripe plant’s leaves have a heart shape, while those of the Brazil plant resemble the Brazilian flag.
If you still can’t differentiate between philodendron silver and philodendron brasil, compare their sizes. Silver streak pothos grows to a length and width of 19 inches, while the Brazil ones are large plants that grow to 36 inches tall and wide, which is how you would easily tell them from their size.
What Are the Specifications of Philodendron Silver Stripe?
The philodendron silver strive specification is that it is a climbing epiphyte with heart-shaped foliage with dark colors, and it has the ability to grow up to 19 inches big and has creme-colored stripes on the green foliage, which is what makes it unique.
Silver stripe’s most attractive feature is the silver variegation, as the rest of the leaf has a beautiful dark-green color. However, the silver stripe ones have different variations; some have silvery green, cream-yellow, and white striations.
Silver-striped is the plant that is easily confused with a cream splash because the variegation are almost similar. However, the difference between the two is still visible because the philodendron cream splash has a lime-green and yellow variegation instead of the standard silver variegation.
The plant that looks more like the silver stripe is the philodendron Rio. However, you can still spot the difference. The Rio has a silver, creamier yellow, dark green variegation, with silver at the center.
– Light Requirements
Silver stripes thrive best when exposed to bright indirect light. Therefore, letting this plant soak in the direct morning sun is best because it is less strong. The plant doesn’t appreciate too much light, and you will notice the dislike with changes in the leaves, and you wouldn’t want to make it grow under stress.
As a result of the latter, when hit directly by sunlight, the leaves become smaller and grow farther apart.
Besides helping with plant food manufacturing, exposing hederaceums to the right amounts of light encourages variegation. Avoid leaving the beautiful leaves in the scorching sun because they will burn. If you prefer growing your philodendron plants outdoors, keep them under a shade or indirect light.
– Temperature And Humidity
The last place to grow a silver stripe is in cold zones with freezing temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It will struggle to grow an inch, and too much cold could cause the plant’s death. Silver-striped is one that thrives best when exposed to a temperature that is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why you must maintain the lower degrees of the 90s.
Humidity is essential for all plants, and the silver stripe is not exceptional. Unlike other plants, this variety of plants can thrive in normal household humidity levels. However, it grows better in areas with higher humidity levels. If your house has low humidity levels, a humidifier can help you achieve the correct moisture levels for your beautiful plant.
– Watering Requirements
Water is essential for the plant’s growth; too much or lack of it can cause stunted growth or plant death. While some plants feel better when sitting in a pool of water, philodendrons require little water to grow. This makes them the best plants for busy bees.
Only water these varieties when the soil is dry to avoid overwatering. Some signs of too much water or lack of moisture are sagging leaves. However, these could also be a sign of attack by diseases. If the leaves lag due to moisture insufficiency, they will return to shape if you water the plant correctly.
– Growth Rate and When to Repot
While the silver stripe is a fast grower, it has a slower growth rate than all-green philodendron hederaceum. One sign it is time for repotting this plant is if the roots start growing outside the pot’s drainage holes.
However, you must also get the repotting timing correctly, but for this, the best time to transfer the plant to a bigger pot is during summer or spring because the climate during these seasons encourages growth.
Plants are dormant during winter due to freezing temperatures, making winter the most unsuitable time for repotting because in this season, they do not undergo extensive development. Also, when transplanting, choose the right size of the container. You can go a size higher, but avoid transplanting the plant into an extra big pot.
– Benefits
Gardeners grow silver stripe plants for their ornamental value, as the plant’s green leaves with a silver or white stunning stripe bring a big difference to homes or office corners. Besides, these plants do not demand the grower’s attention and can thrive within tropical climates. These are also the best for brightening your rooms, including the bedroom.
Another benefit of growing silver-striped one is air purification, so when it is placed indoor, it will clear the air. The plants absorb carbon dioxide and toxins like ammonia in the air and release oxygen. Besides leaving your house smelling fresh, the plant improves the room’s humidity when you mist it, reducing skin dryness and other respiratory conditions.
Although most people would now raise the question, is there a difference between a philodendron cream splash and silver stripe, you must know how the silver stripe has darker leaves than its counterpart. The variegation of the cream splash is also light green, while that of the silver stripe is silver.
What Are The Specifications of Brazil Philodendrons?
The specifications of Brazil philodendrons are that they can grow up to 36 inches big, and the primary characteristic of this plant is the yellow, light green, or dark green variegation that starts from the leaf center to the edge.
Scientifically known as the philodendron hederaceum Brasil, the brasil plant is a native of South America. Apart from the stunning yellow and light green variegation, the rest of the leaves are dark green. Most gardeners prefer this plant because of its easy maintenance, few growth requirements, and benefits.
– Light Requirements
The Brazil plant grows best in bright indirect light conditions. Place the pot near the window for indirect sunlight if you grow it indoors. Always avoid direct scorching sunlight because it burns the leaves and can kill them.
Brasils do not also do well in low light conditions. If grown in a dark room, the plant’s variegation starts reverting. Low light also causes leggy growth in the plant, disrupting its already slow growth rate, and this is because they are ones that will be growing to search for proper lighting to develop at its best ability.
– Watering Requirements
These are the types of plants that are easier to grow because of their low water requirements. Too much or little water can disrupt the plant’s growth and even kill it. Overwatering makes the soil soggy and can cause root rot; on the other hand, you must abstain from underwatering them as well, as this can cause drying of the plant, leading to its death.
Before pouring any water, always dry the top two to three inches of the soil to avoid overwatering. If you are unsure about watering the Brazil plant, mist it for some humidity to be surrounding it as well. Some signs of overwatering and under-watering the Brazil plant are sagging leaves, which return to shape after pouring the right amounts of water.
– Temperature
Since this plant is one that is native to the tropics of South America, meaning they require a warm, humid environment to thrive. These plants do well indoors, but you should maintain the temperatures at 72 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since the plant’s primary origin is in tropical forests, they do not do well in cold areas. You can heat your house to the required temperatures during winter to keep the plant alive. Always ensure the temperatures don’t drop 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit below.
– Humidity
Brazil plants require high humidity levels to grow, so you must consider that before buying them as indoor plants. The higher the humidity, the more vigorously the plant will grow. Since humidity levels drop during winter, you can use a humidifier to keep your Brazil plant happy.
Alternatively, you can move the plant to rooms with more water vapor in the air. For example, if the other rooms are too dry, place your Brazil pot in the kitchen or bathroom, and transfer it to the sitting room or bedroom when humidity levels are normal. But most bathrooms are dark, so ensure you bring the plant out to get some indirect sunlight.
– Propagation
Brasil plants are rare, but you can multiply yours by propagating. The plant’s propagation is easy because you can do it using stem or leaf cuttings. Once you get the cuttings, plant them in suitable pots and pour the right amount of water, and make sure that they are receiving the right amount of sunlight as well.
– Soil Type
Soil type can affect your plant’s growth, on the other hand, water logging soil causes root suffocation, which leads to root rot. Besides, these soil types attract many insects and pests that destroy plants. Brazil plants thrive in light and airy soil because it allows excess water to drain after watering.
– Benefits And Uses
Brazil’s plant cleans the air by removing carbon dioxide. Its large leaves with microscopic pores also aid in the absorption of toxins in the air and expel oxygen in exchange. This plant benefits homeowners with respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies.
Conclusion
Although silver stripe and Brazil plants are the ones that this review shows their differences. The major one is in their variegations. Silver stripe has a silver variegation from the leaf’s center to the edge, while the Brazil plant’s variegation is a yellow, light, or dark green stripe.
Besides the different stripes, the plants’ leaves also have different shapes. However, the care guide for both are similar because their temperature, light, water, and humidity demands are almost similar. These tropical plants are also famous for their health benefits, like air purification.
- 25 Kalanchoe Types and Colorful Varieties for Your Garden - October 3, 2023
- 17 Hawaiian Flowers That Grow and Thrive in the Hot Summer - October 2, 2023
- Watering a Poinsettia and How is it Done Correctly? - September 30, 2023
