Pink princesses are now more available and affordable than ever! And the best part is that to care for them is a breeze. Learn about this gorgeous variegated plant, including how to keep it pink and happy.
Is a Pink Princess Hard to Care For?
Not at all! While rare and in-demand plants can often be challenging to care for—like the albo monstera—the pink princess philodendron is actually quite easy to manage if you follow a few key guidelines. Ensuring the right soil, avoiding overwatering, and providing the correct lighting are crucial.
Light: How Much Light Does my PP Need?
Your pink princess will thrive in bright, indirect light. A location near a sunny south- or west-facing window is ideal, though an east-facing window can also work. Lighting is essential because it affects the plant’s variegation. The pink parts of the leaves lack chlorophyll, which is needed for photosynthesis, so the plant requires more light and grows more slowly.
Basically, the brighter the light, the more chance of pink developing in your plant. Then, the more pink the plant develops, the brighter light is required to supplement the chlorophyll missing in those pink leaves.
Put simply, the brighter the light, the happier the plant.
However, avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves, especially outdoors and in the summer. Indoors, even in sunny spots, plants rarely scorch, but outdoors, provide shade during late morning to early evening. If you notice signs of scorching, move the plant a bit further from the window.
Why Is My Plant "Leggy"?
"Legginess" occurs in lower light conditions when the plant stretches towards the light, increasing the space between leaves and reducing leaf size. If your plant gets leggy, prune the growth and adjust the lighting. Remember, the pink princess is a climber, so it will naturally look longer and leaner than bushier philodendrons.
Can a Philodendron Pink Princess Get More Pink with Better Light?
Yes, providing adequate light can encourage more pink variegation. Pink princess philodendrons do not have stable variegation and can often revert. Adequate lighting helps maintain healthy variegation, and a grow light can supplement natural light.
Want more tips on how to get the most amount of pink from your princess? Read my post here!
What soil mix does a PP require?
Choose a light, well-draining soil designed for aroid houseplants. If you are buying a soil mix off the shelf, I always recommend adding perlite or Leca to lighten and aerate the soil. Charcoal is also a great addition to boost nutrients.
Despite their size, PP can often have a very small root system. This is another reason to ensure you have a chunky, well-draining soil mix; you want to avoid the water getting clogged and turning your soil into a hard clump - this is the fastest way to root-rot!
Want to mix your own? I have a post with plenty of details on the optimal soil mixture here!
Or, buy our ready-to-go mix below!
How Often Should I Water My PPP?
Water when the top half of the soil is dry (yes, popping your finger into the soil is the best way to test this!) Avoid letting the soil dry out for too long - if you see the leaves curling and your soil is dry, the plant is thirsty!
Remember, overwatering is caused by watering too frequently or by the soil not drying out, NOT by the amount of water given.
How Do You Know It’s Repotting Time?
Repot when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes or the black plastic pot feels tight. If your plant shows signs of suffering without visible root growth, check if the roots are root-bound. Use fresh soil when repotting to give a boost of nutrients!
Is the Philodendron Pink Princess a Climber?
Yes, it’s a climbing plant that benefits from a moss pole for support. As it matures, tying it to a pole and misting the aerial roots can help it grow taller and healthier. Leaves will also become much larger when holding onto a pole or branch.
Fertiliser & Pruning Needs
Use a liquid fertiliser for an instant hit every 2-4 weeks in Summer & Spring. For pruning, remove dead or dying foliage and perform preventative pruning to maintain healthy variegation.
Your Princess can also be chopped and propagated in either Leca or water, so if you're feeling brave, give your plant a chop!
How to Propagate your Pink Princess
Prune off a piece of the main stem with at least 2-3 leaves and 2-3 nodes along the base of the stem. Let the cut wound callous over for 12-24 hours before placing it in water - you may notice some red sap weeping from this cutting. Make sure the bottom three nodes on the stem are submerged. For an even better chance of sprouting roots, add Leca balls into the water - the roots are encoueaged to grow and cling onto them! Arrange your cutting in a location with bright-indirect light and add in a few drops of liquid fertiliser.
Can a Reverted Pink Princess Turn Pink Again?
If every new leaf appears to be all green, the plant may be reverting. Take a look at the stem as well; if you can see a pink stripe there is still hope! Cut back to the last variegated leaf or stem and provide plenty of bright, indirect light and increase fertilisation. If new growth is variegated, continue monitoring. If not, prune further back. It's hard, but trust me!
Toxicity
They are toxic if ingested so it's a good idea to keep them away from any pets who may eat the leaves.
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