The Philodendron Pink Princess is a popular and loved Philodendrons because of its bright pink and green foliage. If you want an indoor plant that is easy to care for, go for this one and fill some color in your home garden.
Our care guide with complete plant care will help you know all there is to know about this pretty plant.
Contents
- What Is the Pink Princess Philodendron?
- Pink Princess Philodendron Care
- Propagating
- Problems
- Frequently Asked Questions
- – Is the Pink Princess Toxic?
- – What Is the Difference Between the Pink Princess and Philodendron Pink Congo?
- – Is Buying a Philodendron Pink Princess Worth It?
- – What Is So Special About the Philodendron Pink Princess?
- – How Big Do Philodendron Pink Princess Grow?
- – Can I Have All the Leaves Turn Pink on My Philodendron?
- Conclusion
What Is the Pink Princess Philodendron?
The Pink Princess Philodendron or Philodendron Erubescens ‘Pink Princess’ is a perennial, tropical aroid Philodendron variety native to Central and South America. The plant belonging to the Araceae family is also known as the Blushing Philodendron.
Pink Princess Philodendron Care
Taking care of the Pink Princess is quite easy, similar to most other Philodendrons. Learn all about the complete care tips for the gorgeous plant to keep the variegation.
– Water Requirements
Water your Philodendron each time when one-third of the soil dries out. Do not let the soil completely dry out in between the watering sessions since the tropical plant does not enjoy bone dry-soil.
You must allow the top few inches of the soil mix to dry out a bit in between waterings. It prevents problems related to overwatering as soggy and waterlogged soil makes the plant susceptible to root rot.
Follow the finger-knuckle test each time before watering to determine whether the plant needs to be watered or not. Insert a finger to the second knuckle and see if the soil sticks to your finger. If it feels dry, water the plant thoroughly such that it comes out of the bottom drainage holes.
– Light Requirements
Bright but indirect light is the way to keeping this plant happy and healthy. If you are growing your plant indoors, keep the plant in a bright window or balcony where it can receive a great load of bright light.
The brighter the light, the more variegation the leaves would have. If your home does not get adequate light, grow the plant under artificial lights or grow lights. Lack of light makes the plant lose its pink variegation and also makes it leggy and stretched out.
The plant needs bright light but avoid placing it in direct sunlight as it can cause burns. Exposure to morning and evening sunlight is fine but make sure your plant is away from afternoon sun. The leaves will turn green and the variegation will turn white if the light is too intense.
– Soil Requirements
The Pink Princess Philodendron prefers loamy soil that remains moist at most times but not soggy. It must be rich in organic matter and well-draining with high moisture retention.
To prepare your soil mix, mix one-part standard soil with one-part perlite and one part orchid bark chips to make it chunky and airy.
Grow your plant in a terracotta or clay pot so that it can absorb the excess moisture from the soil and prevent overwatering-related problems.
– Temperature Requirements
Temperatures between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit work well for the growth of this Philodendron. Warm and tropical weather conditions are essential to keep the plant happy.
Avoid exposing your Philodendron to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit as it is not cold and frost-hardy and goes dormant in the winter months. If you are growing the Philodendron outdoors, remember to bring it indoors in winters and keep it in a warm, bright spot where it can receive abundant indirect light.
Avoid exposing the plant to extreme temperatures on either end. Remember that Hot temperatures with low humidity are as bad as cold temperatures, that is why you should keep the plant in a comfortable temperature range.
– Humidity Requirements
The Pink Princess needs high humidity conditions similar to its natural tropical environment where it grows under large trees in high humidity. Average household humidity works well but increased humidity can improve your plant’s overall growth.
Try and keep the humidity levels above 50 percent for best growth results. Place a humidifier or a humidity tray to improve the humidity. Prepare the tray by filling it with pebbles and water. As the water will evaporate, the plant will absorb the moisture from the air.
Make sure that you keep the air moving around the plant when there is high humidity. High humidity without air circulation leads to fungus growth and rot. Avoid keeping the plant near air conditioners and drafty windows but keep it in a spot where there is sufficient air movement.
– Fertilizer Requirements
Feed your Philodendron with a well-balanced, liquid fertilizer in the spring and summer months. This is the time when it shows active growth and grows many new leaves.
Make sure that the fertilizer that you use is urea-free and contains the necessary micro and macro-nutrients required by the plant. A good-quality fertilizer can make a huge difference in the overall growth of your plant.
As winter approaches, stop fertilizing the plant as it goes dormant and does not show much new growth. Fertilizing in winters can burn the plant roots. Do not over-fertilize the plant as it causes salt build-up which further leads to root burn.
– Pruning
Pruning the Pink Princesses helps in keeping them bushier by encouraging new growth from the place of cut. The ideal time for pruning and repotting is early spring when the plant comes out of dormancy. You can use the pruned cuttings for propagation.
When the plant is small, it needs repotting every one to two years and as it matures, repotting time reduces to every three to four years. A smaller plant comes in as small as a four to five-inch pot which is why it needs relatively more frequent repotting.
While shifting the plant, make sure you go one size up in pots. For example, if your plant was earlier in a six inches diameter pot, use eight inches one now. Using too big pots increases the risk of root rot as the water accumulates at the bottom of the soil and does not drain easily.
Propagating
Let us see some methods you can undertake for the Pink Princess propagation. Philodendron Pink Princess seeds are hard to source and it is difficult to grow the plant from seeds. Hence, we would not recommend the seed propagation method.
– Stem Cutting Propagation
It is quite easy to propagate the Pink Princess from stem cuttings. First, choose a cutting that is at least four to six inches long and has two to three nodes. Nodes are the points from where roots will grow. The cutting should have at least two to three leaves.
Using sharp and clean scissors, cut the stem and remove the bottom leaves leaving only the top two or three leaves on. Afterwards, put the cutting aside for one to two days and allow the cut to heal.
Once it has healed, you can place the cutting in a jar of water making sure that the nodes are dipped in water. Keep a routine of changing the water every two to three days to avoid rot. Within two to three weeks, new roots will sprout from the cutting.
Lastly, once the roots are about an inch long, plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix of perlite, bark chips and potting soil.
Problems
Let us take a look at some of the common problems faced by the Pink Princess plants.
– Browning of Variegation
If your variegated Philodendron leaves are turning brown and there are random brown spots on the foliage, it could be because of prolonged exposure to harsh light. The plant prefers bright light but direct or harsh light with high temperatures can cause these burns that lead to browning of leaves and their edges.
The delicate pink splotches are prone to burns due to harsh light and lack of high humidity conditions. Make sure you provide your plant with appropriate growing conditions and do not expose it to extreme temperatures and light.
– Plant Getting Leggy
If the stems of your plant are getting leggy and stretched out, it might be because it is not receiving enough bright light. Lack of light is the reason behind the Pink Princess Philodendron plants getting leggy.
Shift your plant to a bright location where it can get lots of bright, filtered light. Keep it near a window or balcony that receives curtain-filtered light during the day.
– Root Rot and Rust Spot
Root rot is a pretty common problem faced by most gardeners. Overwatering combined with low-light conditions is the main cause behind root rot. Overwatering also causes rust spot which is a fungal infection.
Control your watering frequency by following a regular schedule and checking the soil each time before watering the plant. Keep the humidity around the plant high along with good air circulation to avoid fungus growth.
– Spider Mites
If you notice cobweb-like structures around the stems and leaves of your plant, it is likely that the plant is infected by spider mites. They look like tiny, reddish-white or black dust-like particles.
First step is isolation. Isolate your plant from other plants to control the spread of mites. Knock the mites off by spraying water. After washing them off, treat the plant with an insecticidal soap solution.
– Aphids
Aphids are sap-sucking insects that mainly target the new, soft and green stems. They grow and develop quite fast which can make it difficult to control their spread if ignored in the initial stages. They cause wrinkles in the leaves, stunted growth in the plant and also encourage the growth of sooty mold and fungus.
Wash the aphids away with a steady stream of water if their population is not much. Use neem oil and insecticidal solutions to spray on the affected regions to control their spread. Mix one teaspoon of soap solution in a gallon of water to prepare the soap solution.
– Scale
Scale insects are tiny and hard to spot with the naked eye but they appear in clusters. If you notice small shell-like structures on the foliage and stems of the plant, your plant is probably infected by scale. Another indication of their presence is black sooty mold.
To deal with them, introduce beneficial and predatory insects in your gardens such as ladybugs, wasps and lacewings. Prune the affected stems and leaves to deal with light infestations.
Treat the rest of the parts with rubbing alcohol every few days. Spraying the plant with horticultural oil just before the leaves unfurl also helps in controlling scale.
– Mealybugs
Mealybugs are related to scale and damage the plant by sucking the juices from the stems by targeting new growth. They cause yellowing and dropping of the foliage. In cases of a severe attack, they secrete waxy secretions called honeydew that lead to the growth of sooty mold fungus.
One quick way to get rid of these pests is by simply washing them off with a strong stream of water. wipe the leaves with a cotton ball dipped in an isopropyl alcohol solution. If nothing works out, spray your plant with an insecticidal soap solution.
– Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are tiny flying insects that are attracted to damp soil conditions. Gnats are small flies with narrow legs and gray wings. If you notice the plants wilting out of nowhere, it could be due to root damage caused by the larvae of gnats.
The easiest way to prevent these unwanted insects is by letting the soil dry out significantly before watering. Remove the standing water to control its spread. Use pieces of raw potato to trap the gnat larvae. Gnats are attracted to yellow color. So, use yellow sticky traps to control the spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Is the Pink Princess Toxic?
The Pink Princess is toxic to both humans and animals. We would recommend you keep the plant away from the reach of kids and pets.
– What Is the Difference Between the Pink Princess and Philodendron Pink Congo?
Both plants look quite similar due to the pink-colored variegation but the variegation in the Pink Princess is stable as it takes place due to the natural processes while variegation in the Pink Congo happens due to chemicals injected in the leaves. The variegation in Pink Congo Philodendron reverts to green after a few months of purchase.
– Is Buying a Philodendron Pink Princess Worth It?
If you are wondering “Why are Pink Princess Philodendron so expensive?”, it is because of their stunning variegated leaves. Philodendron Pink Princess price is generally quite high because of its high demand.
Pink Leaf Philodendron is a rare plant when compared to other common species such as Philodendron Micans. Another very rare variety is the Half Moon Philodendron Pink Princess.
– What Is So Special About the Philodendron Pink Princess?
The aspect that is special about the Philodendron Pink Princess is the color of its leaves. The Pink Princess Philodendron has dark green, heart-shaped leaves with pink variegation. The beautiful splashing pink leaves give the plant a different yet stunning look. The newer leaves unfurl in burgundy color and the variegation increases as the plant matures.
The leaf variegation happens because certain sections of the foliage lack chlorophyll needed to photosynthesize and make plant food. It is due to this lack of chlorophyll that such plants are slow-growing compared to other plants.
If you notice that your philodendron’s newer leaves are smaller than usual and are crinkled at different spots, it is likely that your plant is not growing under optimal humidity. Increase the humidity levels around your plant to tackle the issue. The higher the humidity levels, the larger your Philodendron’s leaves will be.
– How Big Do Philodendron Pink Princess Grow?
A mature Pink Princess plant can reach a height of two to four feet and width of two to four feet. When the plant is potted, it usually stays within two feet in height and width.
This plant is a climbing vine plant but is generally slow-growing and takes time to grow like a vine. Use moss poles and trellis to provide support to the stems so that they can grow upwards with the help of it. As the plant vines, tie the vines to the moss poles for a nice support.
If you do not want the plant to grow as a vine and wish to keep it compact, prune it every spring to control the vining growth and make it bushier. Since the plant is slow-growing, make sure you provide it with adequate light to enhance overall growth and variegation.
– Can I Have All the Leaves Turn Pink on My Philodendron?
No, you must always maintain a balance between the variegated and non-variegated leaves in your plant. If there are a lot of green leaves in your plant, it will slowly turn into Green Princess and you will lose the variegated leaves.
If more than half the leaves have turned pink, your plant’s health will slowly decline as entirely pink or variegated leaves do not contain chlorophyll due to which they are unable to produce enough food.
Presence of chlorophyll is essential to photosynthesize and produce food and variegated leaves lack in chlorophyll. Too much variegation indicates that the plant is unable to produce sufficient food and it cannot sustain itself for long.
Conclusion
Let us summarize the most important care hacks you must remember before growing this beauty.
- The Pink Princess is an evergreen Philodendron known for its pinkish-green variegated leaves. It is due to the pink leaves that the plant is also called the Blushing Philodendron.
- It thrives in warm and humid weather conditions with high humidity and water needs.
- Feed your Philodendron in spring and summers when it grows actively.
- Prune the plant every spring to encourage new and healthy growth and repot it every few years in a bigger pot to provide space to the roots.
- It can face some problems such as pests and root rot. Treat them early on as soon as you spot the presence of pests to save your plant.
We hope our care guidelines on the Philodendron Pink Princess care have helped you know all about it. If you are a true plant lover, you will get one of these for yourself soon!
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