Table of Contents
- Origin:
- Preferred Watering:
- Preferred Soil:
- Fertilizer:
- Pest and Diseases:
- Growth pattern:
- Propagation:
- Preferred Humidity:
- Preferred Lighting:
- Variegation:
Welcome to the world of botanical beauty with our in-depth guide on caring for the captivating Philodendron Pink Princess houseplant. With its striking foliage featuring hues of green and blush pink, this alluring plant has captured the hearts of indoor gardening enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just beginning your journey into the realm of indoor flora, this article will provide you with essential insights, tips, and techniques to ensure your Philodendron Pink Princess thrives and flourishes in your living space. Delve into the fascinating realm of plant care as we unravel the secrets to maintaining the vibrancy and vitality of this unique and sought-after botanical gem.
Origin:
Philodendron Pink Princess is a stunning and vibrant mutation of philodendron erubescens which is originally from the rainforests of Columbia. No lab has claimed the credit for creating this beauty but it has not been discovered in nature either and is suspected to have been specifically cultivated for the houseplant market in the 1970s
Preferred Watering:
Let the top of the substrate dry out but don’t let it dry all the way. Philodendrons are used to greenhouse and rainforest conditions and are never fully dry.
Preferred Soil:
Use a chunky well-draining aroid mix with moisture-retentive properties. Cocoa coir or bark with perlite and sphagnum moss works well. You can also use a standard potting mix in place of the sphagnum moss.
Preferred Temperature: 70°f-90°f
Fertilizer:
Follow standard fertilizer recommendations on the packaging.
Preferred Pot type- Pink Princess prefers ceramic or plastic for their moisture-retentive properties. They struggle in terracotta because it dries them out too quickly
Pest and Diseases:
Philodendron Pink Princess can occasionally get a bacterial or fungal infection on their leaves. This is more likely to happen when it’s a smaller plant in a high-humidity environment. Use good airflow with your high humidity for best results. Root rot from sitting in too much water often occurs as well. Be sure to have good airflow and a good mix that drains well.
Growth pattern:
Philodendrons are plants that climb trees in nature and can trail or climb as houseplants as well. Their foliage will grow larger as they climb and smaller if they are not allowed. Pink princess Philodendrons are not vining but they do grow upright with a sturdy stem allowing it to support itself to a point. This Philodendron can grow up to 10ft high and can need a stake, pole, or board to help stabilize it at such heights.
Propagation:
You do need a node to propagate. They are quick to root compared to other Philodendrons. Higher Humidity for best results and they can root in soil or sphagnum moss well.
Preferred Humidity:
40% or higher humidity. Like most Philodendrons, the leaves grow more glossy and larger in higher humidity.
Preferred Lighting:
indirect bright light. Too little light and they grow darker with less vareigation. Too much light and the foliage will become burnt forcing the foliage to die off more quickly. Indirect bright light allows the Philodendron to produce more variegation if it is genetically able or mature enough.
Variegation:
Pink Princess’s variegation is stable to an extent. It’s genetic in the plant so even if it reverts to all green without pink it can come back later under the right conditions. This also means that the amount of variegation and vibrancy of the pink is based on genetics. If a mother plant had poor variegation then most likely its offspring or clones will as well. Another thing to note is the maturity of the plant can determine how much pink there is. More mature specimens receiving proper care are more likely to have vibrant pink foliage than their smaller less mature forms. So even if you have a very ugly baby pink princess it might just grow up to be stunning.
Different Cultivars:
Many philodendron cultivars look like a pink princess or are a pink princess by another name and it can get confusing so we are going to go over them quickly. Burgandy Princess is a reverted philodendron pink princess(PPP). Pink Princess Marble or Pink Princess Galaxy are just highly variegated standard Pink Princess Philodendron. Black Cherry Pink Princess is still up for debate. It is a much darker almost black-looking foliage with splotches of pink and a growth pattern like a Pink Princess. Many suspect it is a new cultivar based on the Pink Princess but it is so similar that many are still not sure it is an entirely different plant and awaiting more mature specimens for confirmation.
In conclusion, nurturing a Philodendron Pink Princess houseplant offers not only a rewarding gardening experience but also the opportunity to showcase an exquisite living work of art within your home. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can create an environment in which this remarkable plant thrives. Remember to strike a balance between light, moisture, and care, allowing the Pink Princess to display its stunning variegation to the fullest. As you watch each new leaf unfurl and admire the ever-evolving beauty of your plant, you’ll find that the effort invested in its care is undoubtedly worth the enchanting display it brings to your indoor space.
