Well-known for its beautiful variegation, the Pink Princess Philodendron is a highly sought-after tropical houseplant.
In addition, its rarity makes it one of the most popular pink indoor plants. Due to these two factors, it is more expensive than other, more common houseplants. But even though the Pink Princess is on the pricier side, taking care of it isn’t as challenging as it seems.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Pink Princess Philodendron and how to take care of it.
Pink Princess Philodendron Origin
The Pink Princess Philodendron is scientifically known as Philodendron erubescens, from the Araceae or Aroid family. This tropical plant is actually a man-made hybrid. It’s believed its exact origins can be traced back to South America, but we don’t know that for sure.
We know that the Pink Princess Philodendron doesn’t exist in nature. They’re grown and maintained in a lab-controlled environment through a process known as tissue culture. When the Pink Princess Philodendron appeared on the plant market in the 1970s, it was relatively expensive. Following its growing popularity, it became a mass-produced houseplant, now available for $50 to $100 a pot.
Although it has become more readily available, it’s still rare compared to other tropical houseplants. That’s one of the reasons why this plant is so highly sought-after in the world of plant lovers and collectors. More precisely, it’s hard for the plant to produce its pink variegation if it’s not kept in optimal conditions. Without the pink foliage, this plant wouldn’t attract so much attention.
What Does the Pink Princess Philodendron Look Like?
What makes the Pink Princess Philodendron so popular is its color. Despite not growing in nature, its pink variegation is natural and unique. The foliage color is a mix of light pink and deep green, creating a beautiful contrast. Some leaves are even black.
The leaves are heart-shaped, glossy, and usually 5 inches wide. In some cases, the pink patterns appear in stripes or specks, while the most desired Philodendrons have entirely pink leaves. The Pink Princess Philodendron can reach a height of 4 feet, and it can even grow to be 18 inches wide.
How to Take Care of Your Pink Princess Philodendron
Like most plants from the Philodendron erubescens family, the Pink Princess Philodendron has a low-maintenance nature and is relatively adaptable to new environments. Not to mention that this plant grows quickly as well. You can expect to see a new leaf every two weeks. The fact that it’s easy to take care of this plant makes it suitable for beginners.
Still, if you want your Pink Princess Philodendron to maintain its pink variegation, you’ll have to take proper care of it. This is because the pink leaves are not as strong as the green and black leaves and require more attention.
Location
First, let’s talk about where you should put your Pink Princess Philodendron. It’s an indoor plant, so you should keep it in your home. That said, some plant owners like to keep it outside during summer, which is perfectly acceptable. However, if you want to keep your Philodendron outside, you’ll have to keep it away from direct sunlight, but we’ll get to that later.
If you live in an apartment, the best place to put this plant is in front of a west- or east-facing window. This way, the plant will be exposed to the ideal amount of sunlight while being protected by the shade.
Pink Princess Philodendrons grow like vines, so it’s a good idea to add a support pole next to the plant.
Water
The good news is that you won’t be required to water your Pink Princess Philodendron too often. Once a week should be enough. But, of course, you can always check to see if it’s dry. Use your finger to assess the soil moisture levels of the top 2 inches.
It’s important not to overwater the soil, as improper watering can kill it fairly quickly. Many assume you should frequently water your tropical plants, mimicking their natural environment. Remember that the Pink Princess Philodendron doesn’t exist in nature, so too much water can make the roots rot.
Another important tip is never leaving your Pink Princess Philodendron in standing water. Instead, use a pot that offers good drainage. When you water the plant, make sure the soil is evenly moist.
How often you water your Pink Princess will depend on the season. If it’s summer, don’t be afraid to water it slightly more often (but not too much). On the other hand, if it’s winter, you can wait for an additional day or two until the next watering session.
Light
If you want your Pink Princess Philodendron to thrive, the most important factor is light.
On the one hand, the Pink Princess shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight. Otherwise, the leaves will become yellow or brown. Once this happens, you won’t be able to restore their original color. They may even be scorched by the sun. But, on the other hand, if they aren’t exposed to enough light, the pink pigmentation will fade, and the leaves will become white.
The Pink Princess needs more light because variegated plants lack chlorophyll. If you’re unsure where to put your plant to receive adequate sunlight, it’s safe to put it at least 2 feet away from the window.
The key is to expose your Pink Princess to indirect sunlight for several hours every day. After that, the plant should be in the shade for the rest of the time. Consider purchasing a grow light if you live in an apartment without good lighting.
Soil
The soil you choose for your Pink Princess can determine whether it will thrive or not. So naturally, you’ll want to get fast-draining, fertile soil. If you’re wondering what kind of soil to get for your Pink Princess, a natural mixture is a perfect solution.
You can either make the mixture by yourself or buy it ready-made. To make a mixture yourself, add perlite, orchid bark, peat moss, and coco choir to provide the Pink Princess with the optimal environment. Then, add these to a bag of universal potting soil.
Add one part potting soil, one-part orchid bark, and one-part perlite for the perfect mixture. The soil should be rich with nutrients for the Pink Princess to grow, which is why you can also add horticultural charcoal and worm castings.
Humidity
The hardest part of caring for a Pink Princess Philodendron is attaining the proper humidity level in your indoor space. Remember, this is a tropical plant, so it will thrive in a humid environment. To be more precise, the humidity level should be around 60%.
However, since some rooms simply can’t reach this humidity level, you’ll have to take an extra step to raise the humidity level. You can do this in several ways. For example, you can purchase a humidifier, which can be very useful in winter when the indoor air is dry.
Another method is to group plants together. Just make sure the plants all require the same humidity level. For instance, you can put your Pink Princess next to a Calathea or ferns. When you water these plants, some water will evaporate from the soil, providing them with enough humidity to grow.
If these two methods aren’t working for you, you can always put your Pink Princess Philodendron in the bathroom since it’s the hottest and most humid room in your home. However, keep in mind that the plant needs to be exposed to indirect sunlight, so avoid this method if your bathroom doesn’t have a window.
Temperature
You should avoid exposing your Pink Princess to extreme temperatures, whether it’s too hot or too cold. The ideal temperature for a Pink Princess Philodendron is between 60° and 85° Fahrenheit (or 15° to 30° Celsius).
Make sure not to put this plant in a room where the temperature can change suddenly. For example, keep it away from areas that are exposed to drafts. In addition, avoid putting the plant near a fireplace, heater, or cooling vent.
Potting
When you first buy a Pink Princess, it will probably come in a pot. It would be a good idea to move it to a larger pot to have enough room for its roots to grow. Then, when it comes to repotting, you can move it to a larger pot every two to three years.
If you’re unsure if you should repot your Pink Princess yet, check to see if the roots are coming out of the drainage holes under the pot. Philodendrons can live for up to 20 years if you properly care for them.
Also, choose a pot with good drainage holes because you don’t want the soil to retain moisture.
The Beauty of Pink Princess Philodendron
There is a reason the Pink Princess Philodendron is such a popular houseplant. It comes with pink variegation; it’s rare and can live for 20 years if you take care of it properly. All you need to do is expose it to indirect sunlight, water it once a week, and ensure it’s in a room with the proper humidity and temperature.