9 Steps to Healthy, Vibrant Philodendron Pink Princess Plants
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If you're looking for a plant that is both easy to care for and visually stunning, look no further than the Philodendron Pink Princess.
These stunning plants are a fantastic way to bring colour into your home. Despite what you may have heard, caring for Philodendrons is not complicated—it's actually quite simple!
With just a few basic steps, you can keep your plant healthy and thriving for years to come. Here's what you need to know…
- What is a Philodendron Pink Princess?
- Care requirements for Philodendron Pink Princess:
- Step 1: Start with a Healthy Plant
- Step 2: Choose the Right Location
- Step 3: Water Wisely
- Step 4: Improve Drainage
- Step 5: Fertilize Regularly
- Step 6: Re-pot Periodically
- Step 7: Prune your Pink Princess Philodendron
- Step 8: Clean leaves
- Step 9: Fight Pests
- FAQ's:
- And finally…
What is a Philodendron Pink Princess?
The Philodendron Pink Princess (Philodendron erubescens) is a stunning houseplant native to Columbia and one of my favourite and newest plants in my collection.
The leaves themselves are flecked with light pink, contrasting with a succulent dark green. The newest leaf on my plant has given me a near half-moon leaf of pink and green; at the moment, the leaf is slightly bronzy underneath, but that will lighten as the leaf matures.
These were very expensive and pretty rare, but fortunately, these plants have become much more affordable. You can get them in many places now – I got my Philodendron Pink Princess from my favourite place, Crocus, for a bargain price of £4.99 for a 6cms plant.
The Philodendron Pink Princess is a climbing plant, so that it would benefit from a moss pole or stake.
Related Post: A Comprehensive Guide to 21 Different Philodendron Varieties
Care requirements for Philodendron Pink Princess:
Botanical Name: | Philodendron erubescens |
Common Names: | Pink Princess |
Light: | Bright indirect light |
Water: | Distilled, filtered, or rainwater |
Soil: | well-draining soil; let the top 2″ soil dry out before watering again |
Temperature: | 18-30°C (68-86°F). |
Humidity: | 50% |
Fertilizer: | Yes, during the growing months |
Toxic to Pets: | Yes – contains calcium oxalate crystals |
Step 1: Start with a Healthy Plant
Choosing a thriving plant is just as enjoyable as it is necessary for your indoor garden's success.
When you visit the garden centre or nursery, look for plants with a good structure that are not wilting or discoloured (brown or yellow leaves).
Step 2: Choose the Right Location
Bright light is essential for plants' successful growth and flowering, so it's important to ensure your Philodendron Pink Princess gets enough.
Place it in a spot that gets at least four or more hours of bright indirect sunlight each day; this will help your plant thrive and provide you with long-term satisfaction.
Keep in mind that direct sunlight through windows can be too much, causing sunburn and wilting, so moderate the intensity with sheer curtains or blinds to filter and diffuse the light.
Make sure to turn your plant regularly to promote even growth from all angles – this way, you'll be able to admire every bit of its beauty!
Step 3: Water Wisely
Looking after a plant is like caring for an old friend – it's all about finding the right balance!
Make sure to water your pink pal every week or two once the soil has dried at least 2″ of the way down.
If you've gone overboard with watering, don't panic – give it some time to dry out, and it should perk up.
Use your finger to check the soil periodically rather than relying on a strict watering schedule. If you find this difficult, use a moisture meter (which is what I do as I have killed too many plants over the years relying on my finger!).
Remember to remove any excess water that has drained through to the saucer or cover pot.
Related Post: – How to Know When to Water Your Plants
Step 4: Improve Drainage
For healthy growth, it is essential to ensure good drainage for your Philodendron Pink Princess. Maintaining proper drainage will help the plant's well-being and its continuous development.
Start by selecting a pot with a few drainage holes in the bottom, which can prevent soil from becoming waterlogged.
I love terracotta pots as these help to wick the water away from the plant because of their porous nature, which makes it the perfect choice for plants, as it prevents overwatering and soil saturation due to their quick release of moisture.
Additionally, use well-draining soil by combining Coco Coir, Perlite, Bark and Coarse when potting and avoid over-watering your plant.
Step 5: Fertilize Regularly
To maintain your Philodendron Pink Princess's peak health, you must ensure that it is consistently fed with vital nutrients, especially if it has been in a pot for an extended period and during its growing season.
A great way to do this is by fertilizing your plant monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer. My favourite is, for peat's sake, Hungry Plants?
This will help your Philodendron Pink Princess stay healthy and vibrant, rewarding you with its impressive leaves every time you glance at it!
Make sure to follow the instructions on the product packaging, though, so that you don't over fertilize your precious plant companion, which can cause root and leaf burn.
Step 6: Re-pot Periodically
To maintain your Philodendron Pink Princess' health, repotting it into a pot that is 1-2 inches larger every few years is essential.
A larger pot not only gives the root system ample space to spread out but also grants better drainage and access to essential nutrients that prevent nutrient deficiencies.
Related post: How Often to Repot Houseplants
Step 7: Prune your Pink Princess Philodendron
While your Philodendron Pink Princess doesn't need pruning as it's a climbing plant, it is good to keep your Philodendron Pink Princess looking lush by carefully snipping away any dead or wilting leaves.
Not only does this help promote healthy growth, but it's also an excellent time to propagate your plant and bring even more beautiful pinkness into your home – or, even better, gift them!
Grab those sterilized pruning shears for a simple way to show some TLC to your beloved plants.
Step 8: Clean leaves
Regular dusting is essential to keep your Pink Princess Philodendron looking lush and vibrant.
Dirt, dust and other particles can block photosynthesis and impede nutrient absorption, particularly if the leaves are predominantly pink, as this will stop light from getting through to the plant.
Keeping leaves clean also helps prevent potential pests or disease outbreaks.
The added benefit of routine cleaning? Your beautiful philodendron's pristine colour and a glossy sheen that truly stands out in all its glory!
Step 9: Fight Pests
While Philodendron Pink Princess plants don't typically attract too many pests, as a plant parent, it's always good to be on the lookout.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take if you do see any critters. Quickly addressing infestations with a damp cloth in a Neem solution is usually enough to deal with the issue.
For stubborn pests, trying an insecticidal soap spray should give you results in no time!
Related Post: How to Get Rid of Bugs on Indoor Plants
FAQ's:
How can I get all pink leaves?
While it's fun to dream about having all pink leaves, the reality is that it wouldn't be a great thing for your plant!
Chlorophyll is essential to photosynthesis, and pink (or white) leaves lack this fundamental element. Without this green pigment, the leaves can't produce enough energy to properly nourish your plant, so they often lose their energy quicker than a normally variegated leaf.
A balanced variegation is key to keeping the plant healthy and sustained so it can live a long life.
Too much of anything is never good, which applies here as well – allow your plants some variety in their leaf colour to keep them happy and thriving!
Does a Philodendron Pink Princess like being misted?
A Pink Princess loves high humidity; however, this doesn't necessarily mean you must be regularly misting it.
Your plant will be happy and thriving if its environment provides an adequate amount of humidity and moisture.
And finally…
Now that you know how to take care of your Pink Princess Philodendron, there's nothing left to do but enjoy your beautiful plant!
Be sure to follow the tips above and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.
We're always happy to help fellow plant lovers keep their plants healthy and happy.
Please see all the houseplant supplies I love and use.