How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Pink Princess
Philodendron Pink Princess is a beautiful and unique houseplant that’s perfect for adding color and life to any room. It’s prized for its striking foliage. This distinctive tropical plant features heart-shaped leaves that are variegated with shades of pink, dark purple-green, and white.
It looks fantastic, and it is also easy to care for.
So if you’re looking for something special to add style and charm to your indoor space, consider getting yourself a gorgeous Philodendron Pink Princess!
Why Is Pink Princess Philodendron So Expensive?
So first up, why the heck is Pink Princess Philodendron so expensive? I mean, it’s not often that you see houseplants selling for upwards of $80.
Simply put, it is one of the hottest houseplants on the market today (thank you, Instagram!).
It’s also hard to find. The pink variegation that makes it so desirable doesn’t always develop in new plants, even when propagated from a mother plant with a lot of pink coloration. So there is also a bit of chance involved in getting your hands on a Philodendron Pink Princess.
Furthermore, as the leaves mature, the green variegation deepens in color. A houseplant with bright pink and black leaves is very unusual.
Because they are so pricey, you’ll want to ensure that you take proper care of your new plant.
In this article, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about how to grow Philodendron Pink Princess successfully.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using this link. For more information, see my full disclosure here.
How Big Does a Philodendron Pink Princess Get?
The Philodendron Pink Princess can grow quite large if given the right conditions. It can grow up to four feet tall and spread two feet side.
The leaves can span up to eight inches long x five inches wide. However, the plant will only reach its full size if it is given the proper care.
Like other philodendrons, this is a vining plant and will reach its full height when it has some support, like a moss pole or trellis, to climb.
How To Take Care of Philodendron Pink Princess
Taking care of a Pink Princess Philodendron is actually quite simple. The most important thing to remember is that this plant needs lots of indirect light to maintain its pink variegation.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the care requirements.
Light Requirements
Your Philodendron Pink Princess will do best in bright, indirect sunlight. It can tolerate low light conditions, but the pink leaves will likely revert to green. So if you want to maintain that beautiful pink color, make sure it gets a lot of bright, indirect light.
For optimal results, it’s best to position the plant near a window that gets plenty of sunlight without being directly exposed to the sun’s rays. Direct sunlight may scorch the leaves.
Pink Princess does prefer natural light, but if you don’t have a good spot, you can use a grow light.
Temperature
This plant is tropical, so it likes warm temperatures. The ideal temperature range is 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water Needs
Philodendron Pink Princess likes to be kept moist but not soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out in between watering. Be careful not to overwater as you risk your plant developing root rot.
Soil Type Preference
This plant does best in a well-draining potting mix. Mix in some additional perlite (a couple of handfuls is fine) to improve drainage and aeration.
Fertilizer
Feed your Philodendron Pink Princess monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
You can also get slow-release pellets that last up to six months. Just be sure to follow the package directions for application rates.
You don’t need to fertilize during the dormant season (fall and winter).
Humidity
This plant prefers high humidity levels of 60% or higher. If your home is on the drier side, you may need to mist the leaves regularly or use a humidifier.
Pruning Your Philodendron Pink Princess
Pruning will keep your Philodendron Pink Princess looking its best.
Cut off any leggy stems that are getting too long. You can also remove any damaged or yellow leaves.
You can also encourage bushier growth by pruning. Just cut the stem in between nodes. Nodes are usually near a leaf, and you may see aerial roots sprouting. New growth will emerge from the node.
Pruning can also help maintain balanced variegation (e.g., the plant has both pink and green on the leaves). If you notice that your philodendron is becoming too pink or too green, then cut off the vine just above a well-variegated leaf. (Cutting ABOVE a leaf means that the leaf stays on the plant.)
Philodendron Pink Princess Propagation
Philodendron Pink Princess is relatively easy to propagate. The two most common methods are stem cuttings and division. Keep in mind that variegated plants will not produce identical leaves when propagated. Each new leaf that emerges will have a unique appearance.
Stem Cuttings
To propagate by stem cutting, simply cut a few stem pieces from the mother plant. Make sure that each cutting includes a node near the bottom.
And preferably, each cutting will include one or two leaves that have pink variegation. Of course, this does not guarantee that your new plant will be pink, but it might improve your chances.
Place the cuttings in a glass of water (remove any leaves that would be underwater first). Each stem must have a node immersed in the water – roots will develop from the node.
After a few weeks, you should be able to see new roots growing. Once the stems have a good root system, you can then pot up the new plant in potting mix.
Division
To propagate by division, carefully remove your Philodendron Pink Princess from its pot.
Gently loosen the roots and divide the plant into two or three sections, each with a well-developed root system. Repot each section in a separate pot filled with fresh potting mix.
Water well and then place in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.
Common Problems With Pink Princess Philodendron
These houseplants have few problems (that’s why they are so easy to care for). Most problems result from Improper watering or the wrong light levels.
Loss of Pink Coloration
The main issue you may run into is that it can lose its pink coloration if it doesn’t get enough light. Pink Philodendrons need bright, indirect light to maintain their color. So if your plant looks more green than pink, try moving it to a spot that gets more light.
Brown Leaves
You may notice the leaf edges becoming brown and crispy. This is usually a sign that humidity is too low. Increase the humidity level by misting the plant or placing it near a humidifier or on a pebble tray.
Brown spots on the leaves could indicate scorching from too much direct sunlight. If this happens, move it to a spot where it isn’t exposed to direct sun.
In either case, the affected leaves will not recover. You’ll need to prune them off.
Curling Leaves
Curling leaves are signs that the plant has been overwatered or needs water. So, check the soil to see if it is dry or moist. If the soil is dry, water your plant. If the soil is still damp, then wait a few days and check again.
Pests & Diseases
Philodendron Pink Princess is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, you may still find the occasional aphid or mealybug. These can be removed by hand or with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Spraying with insecticidal soap is another option.
Toxicity
All Philodendron plants are considered poisonous. The Pink Princess Philodendron is no exception. If you have pets or small children, it is best to keep this plant out of reach.
Where Can You Buy One?
Now that you know everything about Philodendron Pink Princess, you may be wondering where you can buy one. Unfortunately, they are challenging to find. You will likely have better luck finding them online. And when you do find one, the price will be high. Expect to see high two- or three-digit price tags even when looking at a small starter plant.
Philodendron Pink Princess vs. Pink Congo
As you search online, beware of imitation plants. First, make sure the listing says “Pink Princess” and not “Pink Congo.” Pink Congo is NOT the same plant. Yes, it’s a pink philodendron, but it likely won’t stay pink. The pink will revert to solid green at some point. (You can read more about it here).
Also, check out the listing photo carefully. Some unscrupulous sellers may try to pass off Pink Congo as Pink Princess. You can tell the difference because Pink Congo has solid pink leaves instead of the pink and green variegation that you see on a Pink Princess.
You don’t want to spend this much money on the wrong plant.
FAQs
Yes, Philodendron Pink Princess is quite rare. It is difficult to find and is quite expensive.
Yes, Philodendron Pink Princess is an indoor plant. Philodendrons are native to the tropics and cannot tolerate frost or freezing temperatures.
No, Philodendron Pink Princess is not hard to care for. On the contrary, it is a very low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for.
The most likely cause is lack of light. These plants need a lot of indirect light to maintain their pink variegation. If your plant looks more green than pink, try moving it to a brighter spot, such as near a window. Also, you may want to try exposing it to direct light for a couple of hours a day until it pinks up.
I hope this article was helpful in teaching you everything you need to know about Philodendron Pink Princess. These rare and beautiful plants make a great addition to any indoor space. With proper care, they will thrive and produce stunning pink leaves.
Want to remember this? Save it to your favorite Pinterest board.
