The Philodendron Pink Princess is a philodendron variety with pink variegation that’s in high demand and can be rather expensive, so you’ll want to properly care for these plants.
The Philodendron family has become very popular over the years as houseplants. They are known for their beautiful flowers and unique, variegated leaves.
This article will cover how to care for your Philodendron Pink Princess and how to grow her indoors. I’ll even include tips on how to propagate and repot these beautiful houseplants.
Philodendron Pink Princess Overview
Botanically known as the Philodendron erubescens, this stunningly beautiful houseplant features dark green leaves with variegation in bright pink, hence its popular name of Pink Princess.
This unusual plant is lovely, whether grown as an upright plant in a pot, or in a hanging basket that spotlights its beautiful trailing vines.
A member of the Araceae family, the Pink Princess is characterized by large waxy leaves that grow as long as nine inches and as wide as five inches with unique pink and green variegations.
The pink spots on the leaves are because of a lack of chlorophyll, but the remainder of the leaf will be dark green to guarantee that the plant can photosynthesize. It is, after all, the chlorophyll that enables the plant to create glucose and oxygen for overall health and growth.
Philodendron Pink Princess Care Guide
Even with its exotic appearance, this philodendron plant is easy to grow and care for. The Philodendron Pink Princess is a tropical plant that can thrive nicely as an indoor plant.
It can also be grown outdoors in shade that affords bright indirect light. A few essential conditions for its care and maintenance will keep this lovely pink beauty in vibrant form.
Soil for the Philodendron Pink Princess
Soil for the Pink Princess should retain moisture, but not be soggy or waterlogged, and of course, should be nutrient-rich.
To create the ideal potting soil for your Pink Princess, mix orchid substrate or perlite with peat-based soil. Peat is very fertile and will give your plant nutrients while retaining water. The perlite or orchid substrate will guarantee adequate drainage.
As an aroid plant, the Philodendron Pink Princess features aerial roots. These roots are able to take both moisture and nutrients directly from the air.
Yet philodendrons also feature roots that are subterranean, so you can even grow the Pink Princess in a non-soil growing medium, such as sphagnum moss or perlite and peat. While not finicky plants, they do require that the soil bed retain moisture.
Light for the Philodendron Pink Princess
The Pink Princess thrives when placed in bright indirect light. Indirect light offers the best conditions for maintaining variegation and overall health. Filtered light from a window will also do nicely. The important thing is that leaves are not exposed to direct sunlight.
If your area has hot sun and the Pink Princess is outdoors, your plant should be protected in a shady location. Or when indoors, these plants should not be placed directly next to the sunny window.
If leaves begin to turn yellow or you see brown spots, you’ll know that your plant is receiving too much direct sunlight, so adjust its light conditions.
Water and Humidity for the Philodendron Pink Princess
Water your Pink Princess when the top 1.5 inches of soil is dry. This can be done by soaking your plant under a faucet and then letting the water run out completely through the pot’s drainage holes.
This watering method will ensure that water reaches the entire root ball, providing sufficient nourishment to the plant. As soon as the top 1.5 inches of soil is dry again, water your Pink Princess.
One of the risks when watering is overwatering. This can lead to root rot, yellow leaves, wilting and droopy leaves, and fungus gnats.
Rather than watering on a rigid schedule, test your soil to see if the plant really needs water. Stick a finger 1-2 inches into the soil surface. If it is dry, water your plant. If it is damp, wait for further drying out to take place.
As a tropical houseplant, the Pink Princess loves humidity. Generally speaking, household humidity will be a bit dry for the Pink Princess as it likes a 65% humidity level. To help increase humidity levels, you can mist leaves, use a humidifier, or a pebble tray.
Here are some options to increase humidity levels:
- Use a spray bottle with a fine mist to spray the leaves. Mist every few days. In hot weather, mist daily as the water will evaporate quickly.
- If you have a room humidifier, set the humidity level at 50% or above.
- Increase humidity around the plant by setting it on a pebble tray.
- Group several houseplants together to create a naturally humid environment.
Temperature for the Philodendron Pink Princess
Your Pink Princess will thrive in normal indoor room temperatures. A healthy temperature range is 60° to 85° Fahrenheit, and preferably above 65°F. This will be the same when growing outdoors as well.
Protect your plant, from direct heat as well as cold drafts. Plants should not be located near radiators, heating vents, air conditioning units, or drafty windows, doorways, or hallways.
Use your own comfort as a guide. If you are comfortable with the indoor temperature, your Pink Princess will be as well.
Fertilizer for the Philodendron Pink Princess
When cultivating plants in containers, they need regular feedings. A balanced 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer should be used monthly during the growing season in spring and summer.
Do not fertilize in the fall and winter during its dormant season. Fertilizers can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil bed. When fertilizing, dilute the fertilizer to half strength.
Consider flushing your plant out several times a year to prevent detrimental salt buildup. Do this by running water through the soil bed for two to three minutes and then allowing it to drain completely.
If your Pink Philodendron plant looks like it’s lacking its pink vibrancy or the foliage is small, the soil bed may be lacking in essential nutrients.
Pruning the Philodendron Pink Princess
The best time to trim this beautiful plant is in the spring before the growing season or in the fall after the growing season. Your Philodendron will benefit from regular pruning.
Remove leaves that are aging, dying, or yellowing. Pruning will encourage fuller, bushier growth as opposed to leggy growth.
Make clean cuts above the leaf nodes. New foliage will emerge from the node.
Repotting the Philodendron Pink Princess
When your Pink Princess is young, it will need to be repotted annually. As the plant matures, you can repot it every two years.
Upgrading your container to a size or two larger will offer roots more room to grow in. A principal reason for repotting is to avoid your plant becoming rootbound, which will affect excess water drainage as well as nutrient absorption.
The Pink Princess is an expensive plant, so try to minimize stress when repotting. Follow this repotting guide:
- The day before you plan to repot, water your plant thoroughly.
- Get a new container that is a size larger.
- Remove your Princess gently from the old container and remove the old soil.
- Check roots for disease and prune if necessary.
- Fill your new container half full of fresh potting mix.
- Place your Pink Princess in the new pot at the same height level as the old container.
- Fill in the new pot with soil and press the surface gently for plant support.
- Wait a few days and water the plant thoroughly.
Propagating the Philodendron Pink Princess
Philodendron Pink Princess propagation is simple. Using stem cuttings and root division are two easy methods to create new plants.
How to Propagate with Stem Cuttings
To propagate with stem cuttings:
- Cut a length of the stem just underneath a node on the mother plant. Your cutting should have at least three or four healthy leaves on it.
- Place your cutting in a glass of water.
- After a couple of weeks, newly formed roots should start to appear.
- When the roots are about two inches in length, transplant your cutting into potting soil.
How to Propagate through Root Division
An alternative to stem cuttings is to use root division. When you repot your Princess, you will be able to divide the stems at the roots.
Separate the roots gently and try to have at least three stems in each plant. Repot them individually.
Philodendron Pink Princess Toxicity and Pets
The Philodendron Pink Princess is toxic to pets because its sap contains calcium oxalate crystals.
These calcium oxalate crystals can cause swelling and severe burning externally and internally if your pet ingests them.
Toxic symptoms will affect the mouth, throat, tongue, and skin. Severe swelling can cause an animal to have trouble breathing and can be lethal.
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Pawing at the face and mouth
- Drooling or salivation
- Vomiting
- No appetite
- Swollen mouth, tongue, or lips
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Sores in the mouth area
Many animals will not continue eating after the first bite due to the burning sensation. Death can occur if they ingest large enough amounts of foliage.
Should a pet eat the plant, immediately rinse the mouth and skin. With swelling, a veterinarian should be contacted. With severe symptoms, go to an animal emergency hospital ASAP.
Philodendron Pink Princess Pests, Diseases and Problems
The Pink Princess is known to be a hardy houseplant, but there are still a few houseplant pests and diseases to be aware of.
Philodendron Pink Princess Diseases
Diseases are usually related to watering problems. If the plant is overwatered, it is at risk of root rot. Your plant should only be watered when the top couple of inches of soil is dry.
If root rot sets in, you can try repotting by removing the plant and trimming away any sick or affected roots. Repot the remaining healthy roots in fresh potting soil. Wait a few days before watering.
Philodendron Pink Princess Pests
The most common pests to visit your Pink Princess will be aphids and mealybugs.
Mealybugs will be evident from white cottony deposits forming on stems and leaves. They can be removed manually or with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol. Both organic neem oil and insecticidal soap can also be used to treat these pests.
Sap-sucking aphids might be too microscopic to be visible to the naked eye, but you’ll notice your plant and leaves suffering. They are usually tiny white specks that will fly off the plant when it is moved. Both organic insecticidal soaps and neem oil can be used as a remedy.
Philodendron Pink Princess Final Thoughts
The Philodendron Pink Princess is a lovely, unique houseplant that is super easy to cultivate at home, and you’ll have everyone asking about those exotic pink leaves.
Check out these other care and grow guides for the philodendron family of plants:
Philodendron Pink Princess FAQs
Why is the Philodendron Pink Princess so expensive?
The Philodendron Pink Princess is expensive because it is impossible to guarantee a consistent amount of pink and green variegation across its leaves. Having a balanced variegation of pink and green on its leaves is rare. An imbalance will lead to the plant either dying or not being considered a Pink Princess variegated plant.
Is the Pink Princess Philodendron rare?
Yes, the Pink Princess Philodendron is rare. It is very difficult to find a consistently pink and green colored plant. The best way to ensure you get a Pink Princess variegated plant is to buy one online. Even an experienced grower cannot guarantee that they will be able to grow a Pink Princess successfully.
How do I make my Philodendron Pink Princess pink?
You can make the Philodendron Pink Princess pink by properly caring for it and offering it environmental conditions that are similar to its native habitat. Give it bright indirect sunlight for at least 8 hours every day, fertilizer once a month during the growing season, well-draining potting mix, and maintain a humidity level above 65%.
How fast does Philodendron Pink Princess grow?
The Philodendron Pink Princess is a fast grower while it’s a young plant and will require repotting every year or it will become rootbound. When it grows into a mature plant, it only needs to be repotted every two years.
