The Philodendron erubescens ‘Pink Princess’ (PPP) is a tropical aroid coveted for its deep-green foliage with vibrant pink variegation. The Pink Princess is unequivocally a climbing or vining plant. Understanding this natural inclination is the foundation for successful long-term care and encouraging the plant’s most mature growth.
The Vining Growth Habit
The Pink Princess belongs to the vining category of Philodendron, distinguishing it from non-climbing, or self-heading, types like the ‘Birkin’. Vining philodendrons have elongated stems with noticeable spaces, known as internodes, between the leaves. This group is naturally built to climb, seeking brighter light in their native jungle environment.
The plant ascends using aerial roots, which emerge directly from the stem at the nodes. These specialized roots anchor the vine securely to a vertical surface, such as a tree trunk, and actively absorb moisture and nutrients. When grown as a houseplant, this natural climbing behavior must be accommodated for the plant to thrive.
Essential Climbing Support
Providing vertical support is not just for aesthetics; it is a necessity that triggers a physiological change. When aerial roots firmly attach to a support structure, the plant enters its mature growth phase, resulting in significantly larger leaves than those produced while trailing. This transition is called the maturity effect.
The most effective support is a sphagnum moss pole, which mimics a tree trunk and offers a surface the aerial roots can penetrate and draw moisture from. The moss pole should be kept consistently moist, encouraging the roots to root into it, providing stability and nutrition. If a moss pole is unavailable, a wooden stake or a coir-wrapped pole can be used, but the aerial roots must be gently secured to the structure with soft plant ties as the vine lengthens.
Optimizing Growth and Variegation
Bright, indirect light is the primary factor for the Pink Princess, as it sustains the energy demands of the variegated leaves. Since the pink sections lack chlorophyll, they cannot photosynthesize, meaning the green areas must work harder to produce energy. Insufficient light causes the plant to revert, producing all-green leaves to maximize chlorophyll production.
Humidity levels are also important, especially for the aerial roots. These roots perform best in a humid environment, ideally between 50% and 75%, characteristic of the plant’s tropical origins. Maintaining higher humidity prevents the roots from drying out and encourages them to actively root into a moss pole. During the active growth season, typically spring and summer, the plant benefits from a balanced liquid fertilizer applied every few weeks to support upward growth.
Pruning and Propagation
Pruning the Pink Princess manages its size and encourages a fuller, bushier appearance. If the vine becomes too long or leggy, a strategic cut redirects the plant’s energy, often triggering new growth from lower nodes. It is necessary to prune any stems that have reverted entirely to green or produced leaves that are completely pink, as both forms are less sustainable.
The removed sections of the vining stem can be propagated easily. Cuttings should include at least one node, the point where new roots will emerge. These stem segments can be placed in water, a moist rooting medium like sphagnum moss, or directly into soil. The presence of an existing aerial root will accelerate the rooting process.