Pink Princess Philodendron: Final Guide for Growth and Care

Having second thoughts while buying the Pink Princess Philodendron, given its high cost?

Do not hesitate and go for it, as the care is more accessible than its price.

Read on to find the optimal care to maintain the signature pink variegation throughout its lifespan.

Overview of Pink Princess Philodendron

You will fail to find the pantropical Pink Princess Philodendron in a natural setting because it is entirely lab-grown from tissue culture.

Moreover, every other Pink Princess in circulation comes from a laboratory or propagation.

Get an overview of Pink Princess Philodendron from the table below.

Pink Princess Philodendron: Complete Grow & Care Guide

Pink Princess Philodendron is not so hard to care for until you provide a conducive growing environment mimicking a tropical climate.

However, the care requirements are similar for other Philodendrons, like the White Knight Philodendron and Moonlight Philodendron.

1. Sunlight & Temperature

Being a pantropical plant, Pink Princess Philodendron prefers diffused bright light with warm temperatures to maintain its rich variegation.

However, avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves, curl the tips, and give a crispy texture with yellow leaves due to increased temperature causing higher transpiration.

On the other hand, low light devoids chlorophyll production in leaves and brings the temperature below 50ºF, leading to leggy growth.

Thus, balance the light and temperature by installing a grow light for dark rooms, frost blankets, and a heating mat for cold.

The optimal light it receives, the higher chances of getting sharp foliage. Hence, place it next to a well-lit east or west-facing window, door, or patio.

Tip: Place the pot of Pink Princess Philodendron about 5-6 feet away from the south-facing window to maintain the light intensity.

2. Water & Humidity

Pink Princess Philodendron will require regular watering and humid conditions like other Philodendron subspecies.

You can also keep an eye on the moisture in the top 2 inches of soil and water it only after checking the dryness of the topsoil and the humidity level.

Doing so prevents water logging conditions leading to root rot and excess air moisture, inviting molds and fungus growth.

On the other hand, drought conditions will suck the plant dry due to excess transpiration and low humidity resulting in brown and shriveled leaves.

So be precise and keep the watering to the optimum level by aiding it with regular misting and providing 800-900 ml water for a 5″ pot every seven days.

However, cut back in fall and winter and water only once every two weeks or 20 days as it goes into dormancy.

As for the humidity, try to install a humidifier, use the humidity tray, or use the bottom watering approach to balance both in a single go.

3. Soil & Fertilizer

Philodendron Pink Princess prefers porous, well-draining, slightly acidic soil (5.8-6.8 pH) rich in organic matter.

Alternatively, you can buy an aroid potting mix like Sun Bulb Orchid Mix and All Natural Potting Mix.

As for fertilizing, wait at least six months for the store-bought mix, but the DIY mix requires monthly fertilization in the spring and summer with balanced liquid fertilizer.

You can also use slow-release granular fertilizer every 2-3 months. However, remember to cut back on fertilizing in dormancy (fall and winter).

Dormancy feeding induces overfertilization, stunting the plant growth and inviting leaf browning and wilting due to salt build-up that kills the healthy soil microbes.

On the other hand, a nutrient-deficient Pink Princess Philodendron shows stunted growth with smaller leaves.

So always apply liquid fertilizer while watering the plant and maintain a distance of 5-6 inches from the plant’s base to prevent root burn.

4. Potting & Repotting

The pink Princess Philodendron is famous for its slow growth rate compared to other varieties of Philodendron. So you can choose a 5-8 inches porous terracotta flowerpot.

The Pink Princess also indicates signs like light-colored and crumbled potting mix, slowed growth, and roots poking from the drainage holes.

After noticing the signs, you can immediately turn to repot the Pink Princess but try to do it during the summer and spring.

Choose an ideal clay container 2 inches wider than the root ball.

Turn the pot sideways, gently hold the stems and tap the bottom to let the plant slides out.

Gently massage the roots to loosen the compact soil or wash it with clean water. Inspect for signs of root rot, and trim away using a sterilized pruning shear.

Next, layer the container bottom with small rocks and pour a layer of aroid potting mix into the new pot to 2/3 level.

Slide the plant with roots facing down inside the mix and fill it with the remaining potting mix. Ensure the bottom leaves are an inch above the soil.

Lastly, thoroughly water the soil before returning it to its original location.

5. Occasional Pruning

The pruning requirement of Pink Princess depends on the situation, like when the plant has damaged yellow leaves or has leggy growth.

While wilted, discolored or yellow-spotted leaves due to pests like Mealybugs, Aphids, Thrips, and Scales also demand pruning.

Meanwhile, due to imbalanced moisture and heat, the Philodendron is also prone to horticultural diseases like root rot, rust spots, mildew, and Fusarium wilt.

So you might need to trim any droopy, yellow, and rotten leaves at the base with specks ranging from orange to rusty brown due to infection.

Alternatively, you can spray neem oil, insecticidal soap, or copper fungicide to prevent further pests and disease infestations.

Pink Princess Philodendron: All About Growth Rate

Pink Princess Philodendron is known for rapid upright growth in spring and summer, growing by a few inches yearly.

Regarding the leaves, the pink texture will only be present on plants with a trace of variegation, usually from the mother plant.

Moreover, the Pink Princess Philodendron leaves resemble the Wandering Jew Pink Princess and Pink Polka Dot plant.

The Philodendron features big chunks of pink covering at least half of the leaves alongside the green overshadowing the spiked inflorescence, which is rare to see indoors.

However, they have chances of reverting, so do not be surprised if the Pink Princess loses its charm and turns entirely green.

Also, the epiphytic plant boasts aerial roots that grow out of nodes and latches onto supporting structures.

Support your Pink Princess Philodendrons with Trellis plant stands or Philodendron moss poles to boost their growth.

Propagating Pink Princess Philodendron

Propagating Pink Princess Philodendron is an excellent idea to multiply plants with rich pink variegations in the comfort of your home.

Propagating via Stem Cutting

Pink Princess Philodendron is easily propagated from stem cutting as the chances of getting pink variegation are significantly high.

You can take a set of healthy cuttings with pink leaves and propagate them in a different medium.

However, the propagation methods are similar for other Philodendron varieties like Philodendron melanochrysum and the Tree Philodendron.

Step 1: Obtain the Cuttings

• Choose a more rigid and woodier plant than the one with springy new growth, as it often has aerial roots.
• Take the stem with 2-3 leaves and an exposed node protruding outside.
• Cut the branch between two nodes, either horizontally or vertically. Leave the least possible branch underneath.

Step 2: Prepare the Cutting

• Remove the bottom leaves with only two leaves remaining at the top.
• Set the cuttings aside for 12 hours or a day for callous to appear.
• Take cutting from multiple stems to increase the likelihood of succeeding.
• Mix some fungicide and rooting hormone in a bowl and apply it to the cut end using a knife.

Rooting in Potting Mix

Here is a guided approach to propagating stem cutting in a potting mix.

• Prepare a small-sized container having small holes underneath with peat moss and vermiculite.
• Moisten the potting mix with water and gently insert the cutting into the soil mix.
• Cover the tray with clear plastic to lock in the moisture and humidity.
• Next, place the cutting in a warm location with indirect sunlight and a temperature around 70°F (21°C).

The cutting should begin rooting within two weeks. Let it rest for a few more weeks before transplanting it.

You can transplant it to a larger pot with a potting mix containing peat moss, orchid bark, horticultural charcoal, perlite, and coco coir.

Rooting in Water

Propagating the stem cutting in a water medium is another effective way to root the cutting.

• Fill a transparent jar with distilled water and submerge the cutting.
• Place the pot in a warm location with indirect sunlight.
• Replace the water every 4-5 days or when it slightly becomes brownish.
• Check for new roots after 2-3 weeks.

Once the feeder roots have grown at least one inch after a few weeks, you can transfer them to a potting mix.

Rooting in LECA Balls

Alternatively, you can root the stem cutting in a mix of LECA balls.

• Run the LECA balls underwater and let them soak for a while.
• Add them to the glass jar up to 3/4 level and fill it with distilled water.
• Place the cutting into the jar and leave it in a warm place for 3-4 weeks with enough indirect sunlight.

Inspect for new rooting at least 1 inch in length. Next, transplant it to a container with an appropriate potting mix.

Take reference from the video for a visual aid!

Toxicity of Pink Princess Philodendron

ASPCA lists most aroids, including Philodendrons, Elephant ear plants, and Swiss Cheese Plants (Monstera), as toxic houseplants for pets and humans, including the Pink Princess.

The general symptoms in humans include burning feelings, nausea, and vomiting.

Moreover, the symptoms may differ based on the dosage intake. The poisoning may lead to nausea and intense mouth, tongue, and throat burning.

On the other hand, severe poisoning may lead to vomiting, difficulty swallowing, drooling, dilated pupils, and cardiac issues in pets.

Contact the local veterans or immediate helpline number if the situation gets out of control.

• ASPCA Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
• National Capital Poison Center: (800) 222-1222

Pink Princess Philodendron For Sale

After learning the care tips, you can bring a new variety of Philodendrons home.

Here are a few sites you can hover into for Pink Princess.

Pink Princess Philodendron Vs. Pink Congo

Due to the massive popularity of the Pink Princess, many sellers have started selling fake plants by replacing them with a variety of Philodendrons, Pink Congo.

Pink Congo is a tropical plant from Congo and boasts similar pink variegated leaves.

Here are a few differences between the two to help you discover the fake.

Moreover, the Pink Congo does not hold the variegation for long and will begin reverting to green after a year.

FAQ About Pink Princess Philodendron

Why is Philodendron Pink Princess so expensive?

The only thing that makes Pink Princess an expensive plant is its unsuccessful propagation technique and difficulty obtaining the pink variegation.

So sellers try to raise prices for their niche-specific plant, giving it a royal status.

Can a reverted Pink Princess turn pink again?

The reverting of the variegation in Pink Princess is expected if they lack proper light. However, the reverted leaves are not permanent.

You can bring back the variegation in the new leaves of Pink Princess Philodendron by providing the plant with the proper care.