Pink Princess Philodendron

 Pink Princess Philodendron:

The gorgeous and highly sought after pink princess philodendron (Philodendron erubescent ‘pink princess’) is at the top of many plant collector’s wish lists, and for good reason. Characterized by deep green, heart-shaped leaves with bubble-gum pink variegation, the pink princess is truly unique in the plant world. While it can be easily confused with the Philodendron pink congo, the variegation of the pink princess is stable as it occurs due to natural processes, whereas the pink congo variegation is a result of chemicals that are injected into the leaves, usually reverting to green a couple months after being purchased. 

Learning how to properly care for your pink princess philodendron is the key to ensuring it maintains its brilliant pink variegation. Luckily, as with many plants in the philodendron genus, its care is straightforward.

Pink Princess Philodendron Care

Native to Columbia, the pink princess philodendron is a tropical aroid in the Araceae family. Despite its high price tag, this colorful plant is easy to care for. There are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure that you are maximizing the variegation on the leaves. While the pink princess produces flowers, the spathes are insignificant compared to the foliage of the plant and it is rare for them to flower indoors. 

Light

Providing your pink princess philodendron with enough light is the most important factor influencing the amount of variegation it will have. Choose a location that receives several hours of bright, indirect light. When grown indoors, the pink princess philodendron can also tolerate a couple hours of direct light, which may help to increase its variegation. If you do not have a location in your home that receives enough light, buying a grow light for this plant is recommended. Without enough light the pink princesses’ leaves will quickly begin reverting to green and it will lose its stunning variegation. 

Soil

As an aroid, the pink princess philodendron enjoys airy, well-draining soil that is high in organic matter. A mixture of one part standard potting soil, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark is ideal for the pink princess.

Water

Allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings and then water well. Ensure that your pink princess is never sitting in waterlogged soil as they are susceptible to root rot. It is far easier to overwater your pink princess philodendron than to under water it, so if you are unsure about whether it needs water, air on the side of caution and wait another day.

Temperature and Humidity

The pink princess philodendron does best in warm, humid conditions - although typical household temperature and humidity levels are fine for these hardy plants. Ideally, keep your plant in temperatures between 65- and 79-degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 26 degrees Celsius) and avoid exposing it to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

Fertilizer

During its growing season (spring and summer) the pink princess philodendron benefits from regular monthly feedings with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Stop fertilizing your plant in the early fall as it enters its dormant period.

Propagating Pink Princess Philodendron

As with most philodendrons, the pink princess can be easily propagated by stem cuttings. Not only will this help you create a new plant to share with a friend, but propagation also leads to a bushier plant and can help to encourage variegation (especially if the leaves on your plant have started to revert). Here’s how you can propagate your pink princess philodendron by stem cuttings in just a few easy steps:

1. First, choose where you will cut the stem of your plant. You will want your cutting to have 2 to 3 leaves and 2 to 3 expose nodes at the bottom of the cutting. 
2. Using a pair of sharp, sterilized pruning shears or scissors cut the stem and separate your cutting.
3. Remove the bottom leaves from your cutting, leaving just 2 to 3 leaves at the top.
4. Set the cutting aside for 12 to 24 hours to allow the cut edge to callous over.
5. Once the edge has calloused, place the cutting in water and put it in a location that receives bright, indirect light. Ensure that the exposed nodes of the cutting are always submerged in the water. 
6. Within 2-3 weeks you should notice new roots sprouting from the cutting.
7. Once the roots have grown to at least 1 inch in length the cutting can be transferred back to soil. Use a well-draining potting mix and water thoroughly.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

The pink princess philodendron is susceptible to several common houseplant pests and diseases. Common pests include mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scale, and fungus gnats. Common diseases include root rot, which is a result of overwatering, and rust spot, which is a result of a fungal infection.

Common Problems with Pink Princess Philodendron

With the proper care, pink princess philodendrons are relatively problem-free. Common issues with these tropical plants usually arise from improper watering, humidity, or light.

Browning Edges

Browning edges on the leaves of a pink princess philodendron are usually a result of a lack of humidity which causes the leaves to begin drying out. Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse the damage once it has happened, but if you increase the humidity around the plant it should prevent further browning.

Browning Variegation

The last thing you want to see on your beautiful pink variegation is brown spots, but unfortunately this can happen if you have exposed your plant to light that is too harsh. The delicate pink spots on the leaves are prone to burning under harsh lighting conditions, resulting in large burn spots. Sometimes this can also be a result of a lack of humidity, as mentioned above.

Thank you for visiting Sunrise Nursery! Before proceeding with your purchase, please take a moment to review the following disclaimer:

Plant Variability:

Please note that living plants are natural products and may exhibit variations in colour, size, shape, and overall appearance. While we strive to provide accurate descriptions and images of our plants, individual specimens may differ slightly from those depicted on our website.

Plant Care Information:

The care instructions provided on our website are intended as general guidelines to help you nurture your plants. However, every environment is unique, and factors such as light, humidity, temperature, and watering frequency may affect plant health. We recommend researching specific care requirements for each plant species and adjusting your care routine accordingly.

Allergen Warning:

Some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to certain plants or plant materials. While we endeavour to label plants with known allergens, it is ultimately the responsibility of the customer to be aware of any potential allergens and take appropriate precautions when handling or caring for plants.

Non-Toxicity:

While many plants are safe for humans and pets, some may be toxic if ingested. It is important to research the toxicity of each plant species and take appropriate measures to keep plants out of reach of children and pets.

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