The Philodendron ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ is a highly sought-after houseplant. This hybrid plant showcases a striking contrast between its dark, almost black, foliage and vibrant pink variegation. Its large, heart-shaped leaves emerge deep red, darkening to almost black as they mature, with glossy, velvety surfaces.
Black Cherry Pink Princess Care
Light Needs
The ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ thrives in bright, indirect light, which helps maintain its vibrant pink variegation and promotes healthy growth. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Insufficient light causes the plant to lose its dark coloration and pink hues, and may also lead to leggy growth. Place it near a window with filtered sunlight or supplement with a grow light for proper illumination.
Watering Your Plant
Proper watering prevents root rot. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings before thoroughly saturating the potting mix. A moisture meter can help gauge soil dryness. Underwatering is preferable to overwatering, as the plant recovers more easily from slight dryness.
Soil Requirements
The ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ requires a well-draining, airy potting mix that also retains some moisture. An ideal blend includes components like peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark. Always choose a pot with drainage holes.
Temperature and Humidity
As a tropical plant, the ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ prefers warm and humid conditions. Maintain a consistent temperature range between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C). High humidity levels are beneficial for this plant. To increase humidity, consider using a humidifier, grouping plants, or placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season (spring and summer), the ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ benefits from regular fertilization. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half or quarter strength to prevent nutrient burn. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during this period, reducing frequency in fall and winter when growth slows. Consistent feeding supports vibrant foliage and robust growth.
Pruning for Health and Shape
Pruning your ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ helps maintain its shape and encourages bushier growth. Use sterilized pruning tools to make clean cuts. Trimming dead or yellowing leaves directs energy towards new, healthy growth. For vining plants, providing support like a moss pole or trellis can guide its growth and prevent drooping.
Repotting Your Black Cherry Pink Princess
Repotting your ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ becomes necessary when the plant outgrows its current container. Signs it’s time to repot include roots emerging from the drainage holes or the plant becoming top-heavy. The best time for repotting is during the spring or summer growing season.
When repotting, select a new pot only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter. Gently remove the plant from its old pot, loosen the root ball, and remove old soil. Place a layer of fresh, well-draining potting mix in the new pot, then center the plant at its previous depth.
Fill the remaining space with new soil, lightly firming it around the roots to eliminate air pockets. After repotting, water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Return the plant to its usual location to minimize transplant shock.
Propagating Black Cherry Pink Princess
Propagating the ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ is commonly done through stem cuttings. The best time for propagation is during spring or summer.
To take a cutting, select a healthy stem with at least two nodes and make a clean cut just below a node. Remove any leaves from the bottom portion that would be submerged. Cuttings can be rooted in water, sphagnum moss, or a well-draining propagation mix of perlite and peat. Once roots have developed to a few inches, the new plantlets are ready to be transplanted into their own small pots.
Common Issues and Solutions
Loss of Variegation/Darkening Pink
Loss of vibrant pink variegation or leaves appearing too dark indicates insufficient light. Moving the plant to a brighter location or providing supplemental grow lights can encourage more intense pink coloration in new growth.
Leggy Growth
Leggy growth, with elongated stems and widely spaced leaves, indicates insufficient light. Increasing light intensity and duration by moving the plant to a brighter spot can resolve this. Pruning back leggy stems also encourages bushier, more compact growth.
Leaf Problems (Browning Tips, Yellowing, Drooping)
Browning leaf tips often point to low humidity or underwatering. Increasing ambient humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray, and ensuring consistent watering, can alleviate this. Yellowing leaves are frequently a symptom of overwatering or poor drainage, which can lead to root rot. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings and ensuring proper drainage are corrective measures. Drooping leaves can signal either overwatering or severe underwatering; checking the soil moisture level will help determine the cause.
Pests
The ‘Black Cherry Pink Princess’ can occasionally encounter common houseplant pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and thrips. Regularly inspecting the undersides of leaves and stem joints helps detect infestations early. For minor issues, manually removing pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol can be effective. Organic treatment options like neem oil or insecticidal soap can address more widespread infestations. Consistent monitoring and good plant hygiene help prevent pest problems.