The gorgeous and highly sought-after pink princess philodendron (Philodendron erubescens ‘pink princess’) is at the top of many plant collectors wish lists, and for good reason. Characterized by deep green, heart-shaped leaves with bubblegum pink variegation, the pink princess is truly unique in the plant world.
Learning how to properly care for your pink princess philodendron is the key to ensuring it maintains its brilliant pink variegation. Luckily, as with many plants in the philodendron genus, its care is pretty straightforward.
The stunning Pink Princess Philodendron with its eye-catching pink variegated leaves has become incredibly popular among indoor plant enthusiasts. While the pink hues are certainly the main attraction, keeping them vibrant can be a challenge.
If you want your Pink Princess to showcase even deeper, more saturated pinks, there are several factors to focus on Proper lighting, humidity, nutrients, pruning and propagation techniques are key to maximizing the pink in this tropical beauty
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the optimal growing conditions and care strategies to help your Pink Princess Philodendron develop the pinkest, most vibrant foliage possible. Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Pink Princess Philodendron
The Pink Princess Philodendron, botanically known as Philodendron erubescens ‘Pink Princess’, is a hybrid variety thought to be a cross between Philodendron erubescens and Philodendron wendlandii.
Native to the tropical forests of Colombia, it’s an evergreen vining plant with dark green leaves variegated with shades of light green, white, and most strikingly, pink. The pink varies from soft pastel to almost fuchsia.
The unique coloration results from a lack of chlorophyll in those areas, creating the need for the right balance of green and pink to remain healthy. Too much pink foliage can’t photosynthesize!
How to Cultivate the Pinkest Leaves
Cultivating vibrant pink leaves relies on mimicking the Pink Princess’ natural tropical environment as closely as possible. Here are the key factors to focus on:
Lighting
Bright, indirect sunlight is vital for the Philodendron to develop that sought-after pink coloration. Place it near an east or west facing window where it will receive consistent filtered sunlight for at least 8 hours daily.
Supplement with grow lights if needed, keeping lights 6-12 inches above the plant. Insufficient light leads to reduced pink hues.
Temperature & Humidity
Maintain a temperature around 65-80°F and humidity of 60-80%. The Pink Princess thrives in warmth and appreciates tropical-like moisture. Keep away from drafty areas and ensure adequate humidity.
Air Circulation
Good air flow is also beneficial to avoid pests and diseases. Use a small fan to gently circulate air around the plant.
Loose, Well-Draining Soil
Use a peaty potting mix amended with perlite, orchid bark or moss. Excellent drainage prevents root rot. Add 20% perlite to any quality potting soil to improve aeration.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil become dry, taking care not to oversaturate. Allow excess water to drain fully from the pot’s bottom.
Nutrients
Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn delicate leaves.
Advanced Care Techniques for Maximizing Pink Variegation
Beyond the basics, there are some additional methods to maximize the pink in your Princess:
Pruning
Prune back leggy stems above leaf nodes showing pink variegation. Pruning encourages bushier growth and increased pink coloration in new leaves.
Also prune any all-green or all-pink leaves to maintain balance. All-pink leaves can’t photosynthesize efficiently.
Propagating
Take stem tip cuttings with 2-3 leaves from pink variegated areas. Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist potting mix. New plants from pink cuttings often have increased pink hues.
Supplemental Feeding
Consider a cal-mag supplement to provide additional calcium and magnesium, which contribute to vibrant coloration. Always follow dosage guidelines.
Ideal Growing Media
Mixing in orchid bark or moss elevates moisture retention while still allowing aeration for healthy pink development.
Troubleshooting Issues Affecting Pink Color
If your Pink Princess loses some of its pink luster, a few common issues may be to blame:
Insufficient Light
Lack of adequate bright, indirect light leads to reduced pink in new leaves. Boost light exposure to restore vivid coloration.
Overwatering
Excess moisture damages roots and causes less energetic growth. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings.
Low Humidity
Dry air discourages pink variegation. Maintain at least 50% humidity. Group plants, use a humidifier or pebble tray to increase moisture.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of nutrients, especially calcium, magnesium and potassium, results in poorer coloration. Fertilize regularly.
Pests & Diseases
Spider mites, mealybugs and bacterial/fungal diseases can afflict the Pink Princess. Isolate and treat any infestations promptly.
With the right care strategies focused on lighting, humidity, air flow, watering, nutrition and propagation methods, you can help your Pink Princess Philodendron develop ever more lush, vibrant pink variegation in its exquisite foliage.
Pay close attention to its needs, keep it pruned and propagated, and troubleshoot any issues quickly. Your diligence will be rewarded with a showstopping plant boasting colorful leaves of deep pink splendor.
Soon your Princess will be the jewel of your indoor jungle, flaunting gorgeous pink hues that will stop plant lovers in their tracks. Shower your Philodendron with a little extra TLC, and it will give your interior landscape a bold, tropical vibe like no other.
How Much Do They Cost?
At their peak in 2021, a fully established and mature pink princess philodendron could cost upwards of $2,000 (yes, you read that right). Meanwhile, single-leaf cuttings of this coveted plant were going for hundreds of dollars on sites like Etsy and Facebook Marketplace.
Today, this plant is far more accessible and affordable. While it may still cost a few hundred dollars for a well-established and highly variegated mature pink princess philodendron, you can easily score a smaller plant for under $50, while cuttings are going for as little as $5 to $10 a pop.
Buying a Pink Princess Philodendron
Looking to acquire one of these stunning Philodendron? Heres what you need to know about buying a pink princess philodendron.
Pink Princess Philodendron ~ How to Grow and Care for Your Pink Princess
FAQ
How do I get more pink on my pink princess philodendron?
Trim the stem above the node, which is where new life will emerge. from there. This will increase your chances of growing fresh pink leaves.
Why is my philodendron pink princess not pink?
Lighting that is too low will not produce pink coloring and can even cause your plant to become fully green. Ensure your plant is in a bright room and move it closer to a window out of (direct sunlight) if it’s losing the pink pattern.
How to turn pink princess pink?
Place it in a spot which has good levels of bright light but avoid direct sunlight in summer, which could scorch the leaves. If the leaves of your Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ turn burgundy, this usually indicates a lack of good light, and the brighter pink colouring will return once the plant is moved.
Is Philodendron Pink Princess easy to grow?
Literally and figuratively! The hot pink variegation is stunning, and nurseries can’t seem to keep this plant in stock. Philodendron Pink Princess is easy to grow, but there are several very important things that you need to know in order to grow this plant to its maximum beauty.
How to propagate Pink Princess?
The final way to propagate Pink Princess and easily increase your collection by a lot is… 3. BARE STEM CUTTINGS This method is fun, and will result in quite a few plants! You will generally get a new plant at every single node! This method uses segments of the stem and no leaves at all. This method is ideal if you have bare areas of stem.
Why is a Pink Princess Philodendron pink?
The Pink Princess Philodendron’s pink sections lack chlorophyll, which is needed for plants to photosynthesize and gain sustenance from the sun’s rays. There are many different variegated plants on the market, and the variegation in the Pink Princess Philodendron is typically caused by a mutation in the plant.
Can you grow pink princess from seed?
If you attempt to grow these from seed, they will not produce any pink leaves and you will likely get the all-green species of Philodendron erubescens. Seeds will simply not give you an exact genetic copy of the plant. So spare yourself any frustration and hard earned money and don’t get scammed into buying any Pink Princess seeds.
Do Pink Princess plants grow faster?
Like any variegated plant, it will grow slower than it’s non-variegated counterpart because it has less chlorophyll. How big do Pink Princess plants get? Over time, with good conditions and care, they can get several feet tall, but it is very important to provide support with a moss pole, a wooden stake or plank, or similar support.
What is a good potting mix for Pink Princess?
A good default houseplant potting mix that I use frequently is 3 parts of Miracle Gro Potting Mix with 1 part of Perlite. Mix it up and you have a nice, fluffy potting mix for your leafy tropical plants! This blend works beautifully for Pink Princess.