The Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’, commonly known as the “Pretty Princess Plant,” is a popular and visually striking houseplant. Highly sought after by plant enthusiasts, its unique and captivating appearance brings vibrant color and exotic appeal to indoor spaces. Its distinct charm lies in its striking foliage, making it a focal point in any plant collection.
Identifying Your Pretty Princess Plant
The plant commonly referred to as the “Pretty Princess Plant” is botanically known as Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’. Its leaves are typically dark green, often appearing a deep burgundy or almost black, and are heart-shaped with a glossy finish.
The most notable feature is its vibrant pink variegation. This pink coloration can manifest in various patterns, including splashes, spots, or large sections across the leaves, making each leaf unique. The variegation is a result of a genetic mutation, providing a striking contrast against the dark green base. This plant exhibits a vining growth habit, capable of climbing with support or trailing elegantly from hanging baskets, and can reach an indoor height of 3-4 feet.
Caring for Your Pretty Princess Plant
Light Needs
Providing the correct light is crucial for the Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ to maintain its vibrant pink variegation. The plant thrives in bright, indirect light, which encourages the development of its distinctive pink coloration. Placing it near an east or west-facing window, where it receives filtered light, is ideal.
Too much direct sunlight can scorch its delicate leaves and cause the pink hues to fade. Conversely, insufficient light can lead to the variegation becoming less pronounced, resulting in more green leaves. If leaves revert to solid green, moving the plant to a brighter location may help encourage more pink.
Watering Practices
Proper watering is essential to prevent common issues like root rot, to which Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ is susceptible. It is best to allow the top 1-2 inches or about half of the soil to dry out between waterings before thoroughly soaking the soil. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while consistent underwatering can result in crispy leaf edges. Ensuring the pot has adequate drainage holes is also important to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom.
Soil Requirements
The Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ thrives in a well-draining, airy, and rich potting mix that contains organic matter. A suitable blend often includes one part standard potting soil, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark. This combination ensures good aeration for the roots while retaining sufficient moisture without becoming waterlogged. The plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 5.5 and 6.5.
Temperature and Humidity
Originating from tropical rainforests, the Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ prefers warm and humid conditions. Ideal temperatures range between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Avoiding sudden temperature drops or exposure to cold drafts, especially below 60°F, is important for its health.
High humidity levels, ideally 50-60% or higher, are beneficial for this plant. To increase humidity in drier indoor environments, group plants together, use a humidifier, or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, allowing evaporation to moisten the air around the plant. While misting can provide temporary humidity, its effectiveness is debated, and consistent methods are generally preferred to prevent issues like browning leaf edges.
Fertilization
During its active growing season, which typically spans spring and summer, the Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ benefits from regular fertilization. A balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 NPK ratio, applied every 4-6 weeks, is suitable. Dilute the fertilizer to half or quarter strength to prevent nutrient burn, as aroid roots can be sensitive. Fertilization should be reduced or stopped during the fall and winter months when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.
Pruning for Health and Shape
Pruning the Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ helps maintain its desired shape and promotes bushier growth. This vining plant can be trained to climb a moss pole or allowed to cascade, with regular trimming encouraging a more compact form. Removing leggy or damaged sections helps direct the plant’s energy toward healthier growth.
Pruning can also be strategic to encourage more vibrant variegation; if a stem produces leaves with little to no pink, cutting back to a node with good variegation can prompt new growth with more desirable patterns. The ideal time for pruning is in spring before the new growth cycle begins.
Multiplying Your Pretty Princess Plant
Propagating the Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ is most commonly achieved through stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem that has at least 2-3 leaves and a few nodes, which are the small bumps on the stem where leaves attach and roots develop. Using clean, sharp shears or a knife, make a cut just below a node, ensuring the cutting is about 4-6 inches long.
After taking the cutting, some gardeners allow the cut end to air dry for a few hours to callous over, which can help prevent rot when placed in water or soil. For water propagation, submerge the nodes in a jar of filtered water, ensuring the leaves remain above the waterline, and place it in a location with bright, indirect light. Change the water weekly to keep it fresh. Roots typically begin to form within a few weeks, and once they are about an inch long, the cutting can be transferred to a well-draining potting mix.
For direct soil propagation, plant the cutting with at least one node buried in a moist, well-draining soil mix, keeping the medium consistently damp to encourage rooting.
Addressing Common Pretty Princess Plant Problems
Loss of Variegation
Loss of pink variegation often occurs when the plant does not receive enough bright, indirect light. The pink areas lack chlorophyll, requiring more light than green parts. Pruning a stem back to a point with visible variegation can encourage new variegated growth.
Yellowing or Browning Leaves
Yellowing leaves can signal overwatering, leading to root rot. Underwatering can also cause yellowing or crispy, brown edges. Check soil moisture before watering. Browning leaf tips often indicate low humidity.
Pest Infestations
The Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’ can be susceptible to common indoor pests, including spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Regularly inspecting the leaves, especially the undersides, helps in early detection. If pests are found, isolate the affected plant to prevent spread. Treatment often involves using insecticidal soap or neem oil, applied thoroughly to all affected areas. Maintaining good plant hygiene and proper cultural conditions can also help deter infestations.