No doubt, the pink princess philodendron (Philodendron erubescens ‘pink princess’) tops many plant collectors’ wish lists.
No other plant in the world has such deep green, heart-shaped leaves with bubblegum pink variegation as the pink princess.
It can easily be confused with Philodendron pink congo, but its variegation is stable as it occurs naturally.
A pink congo variegation occurs when chemicals are injected into the leaves, reverting to green after a few months.
To maintain your pink princess philodendron’s brilliant pink variegation, learn how to properly care for it.
As with many philodendron plants, its care is relatively straightforward.
Pink Princess Philodendron Care
Known as a tropical aroid, the pink princess philodendron belongs to the Araceae family and is native to Columbia. Despite being expensive, this vibrant plant is simple to maintain.
To ensure that you optimize the leaf variegation, a few essential considerations must be in mind.
Even though the pink princess produces flowers, they are typically not found inside since the spathes are so little compared to the plant’s foliage.
Light
The amount of variegation on your pink princess philodendron depends heavily on how much light it receives.
You should choose a location that receives several hours of bright, indirect light.
The pink princess philodendron can also tolerate a couple of hours of sunlight indoors, which may help increase its variegation.
One way to handle the shortage of direct natural light in your home is to buy a grow light for this plant.
Pink princess leaves will quickly turn green without enough light, and their stunning variegation will disappear.
Soil
The pink princess philodendron prefers an aroid because it is rich, airy soil. The pink princess does best in a mixture of one part regular potting soil, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark.
Water
Water well after allowing the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings. Root rot can occur if your pink princess sits in waterlogged soil.
Overwatering your pink princess philodendron is easier than underwatering it, so you may want to wait another day if you are unsure whether it needs water.
Temperature and Humidity
The pink princess philodendron thrives in warm, humid environments, yet these robust plants can tolerate average indoor temperatures and humidity levels.
Ensure that your plant is not exposed to temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit and keep it between 65 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 26 degrees Celsius) (15 degrees Celsius).
Fertilizer
The pink princess philodendron benefits from regular monthly feedings with a balanced liquid fertilizer during its growing season (spring and summer). As your plant transitions into its dormant season in the early fall, stop fertilizing it.
The propagation of Pink Princess Philodendrons
Pink princesses can be propagated easily by stem cuttings, like most philodendrons.
Propagation results in bushier plants and can promote variegation in addition to helping you grow a new plant to give to a friend (especially if the leaves on your plant have started to revert).
The following steps will help you reproduce your pink princess philodendron from stem cuttings:
- Decide where you want to cut your plant’s stem first. Your cutting should have two to three leaves and two to three exposed nodes at the bottom.
- Cut the stem and split your cuttings using a pair of razor-sharp, sterilized pruning shears or scissors.
- After removing the bottom leaves, just two or three leaves should remain at the top of your cutting.
- To allow the cut edge to callus over, set the cutting aside for 12 to 24 hours.
- Place the cutting in water and place it somewhere that gets bright, indirect light after the edge has been calloused. Make sure that the exposed cutting nodes are constantly submerged in water.
- New roots should emerge from the pruning in two to three weeks.
- The cutting can be replanted in the ground once the roots reach a minimum length of 1 inch. Use a potting mix that drains well, and water your plants well.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The pink princess philodendron is vulnerable to several common diseases and pests that affect houseplants.
Mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scale, and fungus gnats are typical pests.
Overwatering can cause root rot, a common ailment, and a fungus infection can cause rust spots.
Pink Princess Philodendron Common Problems
Pink princess philodendrons are often trouble-free with the correct maintenance. These tropical plants frequently experience problems due to inadequate hydration, humidity, or light.
Browning Variegation
Brown patches are the last thing you want to see on your lovely pink variegation, but sadly they might appear if your plant has been exposed to too much intense light.
Under bright lighting, the delicate pink dots on the leaves are prone to burning, leaving behind noticeable burn patches.
As previously indicated, a lack of humidity can occasionally be brought on.
Browning Edges
When there is insufficient humidity, pink princess philodendron leaves start to dry up and have browning edges.
Tragically, once the damage has been done, there is no turning back. However, increasing the humidity surrounding the plant should stop any additional browning.
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What is the reason for the high price of pink princess philodendrons?
Due to their gorgeous leaves, these tropical plants have become extremely popular, making it challenging for producers to meet demand.
Given that these plants can’t be easily cultivated from seed and their variegation is the product of mutation, the price is very high.
Even though pink princesses are relatively simple to care for, this has increased costs.
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Is there a reason why my plant is losing its pink variegation?
The lack of light is most likely to blame for this. To encourage vibrant variegation, ensure your plant is exposed to bright, indirect light and clear of low light situations.
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Can you tell me why my plant is getting leggy?
Leggy growth is a sign that the plant is not getting enough light, leading the leaves to extend toward the light. If your plant is shady, move it to a brighter spot to avoid lanky new growth.
Last update on 2024-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
