Kai Silversword Plant Care
Argyroxiphium ×kai (C.N.Forbes) D.D.Keck
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Argyroxiphium × kai, commonly known as the Kai silversword, is a hybrid species of silversword plant in the family Asteraceae, and is a part of the silversword alliance. The name derived from the Hawaiian word "kai", which translates to "sea".
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Kai Silversword?
Water Kai Silversword every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Kai Silversword Native To?
What Is the Kai Silversword?
Kai Silversword (Argyroxiphium ×kai) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Argyroxiphium genus. Kai Silversword is native to Maui, Hawaii.
Kai Silversword displays a rosette-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Kai Silversword produces bright yellow composite flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Kai Silversword?
Argyroxiphium ×kai requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Kai Silversword Need?
Kai Silversword thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Kai Silversword Prefer?
Argyroxiphium ×kai grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Kai Silversword prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Kai Silversword?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Kai Silversword to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Kai Silversword?
Feed Kai Silversword every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Kai Silversword?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Kai Silversword?
Kai Silversword can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to occasional papers of bernice pauahi bishop museum of polynesian ethnology and natural history plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Kai Silversword Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Kai Silversword, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Kai Silversword?
Kai Silversword is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Kai Silversword Need?
Kai Silversword grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Kai Silversword is native to Maui, Hawaii. In cooler regions, grow Kai Silversword as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Kai Silversword is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Argyroxiphium genus — compare its care with other Argyroxiphium species on PlantoScan.
Argyroxiphium is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Kai Silversword thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Argyroxiphium Species
Other Argyroxiphium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Argyroxiphium ×kai (C.N.Forbes) D.D.Keck, family Asteraceae (first published in Occas. Pap. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Mus. xi. n.° 19, p. 21 (1936)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Kai Silversword, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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