Mastering the Art of Growing Pink Princess Philodendron: A Beginner’s Guide
Learn how to grow Pink Princess Philodendron with this beginner’s guide. Discover care tips for vibrant variegation and lush growth.
I’m obsessed with my Pink Princess Philodendron, and trust me, once you see its unbelievably beautiful variegated leaves bursting with that bright pink and deep green, you’ll be hooked too! This tropical plant is much easier to grow than you might think. So it is a must-have for any houseplant enthusiast. To me, it’s a standout plant that will level up any space with those lush, cascading vines that thrive when given something to climb.
In this comprehensive guide, I’m sharing the secrets to keeping your Pink Princess flourishing. From nailing the perfect light to mastering a simple watering routine, these easy tips will help you achieve stunning variegation and incredible growth. So let’s drill down and make your Pink Princess the rockstar of your plant collection!.
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Pink Princess Philodendron: Quick Care Tips
This beautiful plant is easy to care for once you know its basic needs. Here’s a quick summary of the most important things to remember to keep your Pink Princess thriving.
- Light: Provide bright, indirect light. This is the single most important factor for maintaining the vibrant pink variegation. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
- Soil: Use a well-draining, airy soil mix. An aroid mix with ingredients like perlite, orchid bark, and coco coir is ideal to prevent root rot.
- Humidity: These tropical plants love high humidity. Aim for a humidity level of 50% or higher. Consider using a humidifier, a pebble tray, or grouping it with other plants.
- Temperature: Keep your plant in a warm environment, ideally between 65°F and 80°F (18°C – 27°C). Protect it from cold drafts and sudden temperature drops.
- Watering: Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Let excess water drain out completely to avoid waterlogged roots.
- Fertilizing: Feed your plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month during the spring and summer growing seasons. Reduce or stop fertilizing in the fall and winter.
- Common Issues: If the pink variegation fades, the plant needs more light. If leaves are turning yellow, you may be overwatering. Brown tips often indicate low humidity.
How to Grow the Pink Princess Philodendron
The Pink Princess Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens ‘Pink Princess’) is a captivating member of the Philodendron family. It boasts heart-shaped leaves adorned with pretty splashes of pink. Each leaf unfurls with a unique pattern of green and pink, making it a true conversation starter. I mean…pink foliage? Gah! Here’s what your pink princess philodendron plant needs to thrive.
Optimal Light Conditions
The Philodendron Pink Princess thrives in medium to bright indirect light. It’s a regal plant that enjoys its sunlight filtered – think of it as a sheer curtain drawn between the plant and the sun. Direct sunlight can be a little too harsh that can fade its vibrant colors and lead to scorched leaves. A north or east-facing window is ideal, providing the gentle morning light that this philodendron variety loves.
During the winter months, I keep mine in a northwest corner of my sunroom and it loved the location. When temperatures rise above 60 degrees in summer, I bring my pink princess philodendron outdoors for a vacation on the porch. I keep it well shaded so there is no direct sun that could potentially scorch that beautiful foliage.
Pink Princess Philodendron Soil Requirements
A well-draining potting mix is crucial to prevent water from accumulating around the roots. A mix designed for aroids or a mixture containing organic potting soil, orchid bark, peat, perlite, and vermiculite works well too.
When repotting your pink princess philodendron, I strongly recommend using clear plastic nursery pots like these. They help you see the root system as well as soil saturation. It’s like a window to your plant’s health and you’ll provide better indoor plant care because you’ll be less apt to overwater and can check things without ever disturbing the root system.
Humidity
The Pink Princess Philodendron thrives in conditions that mimic its native tropical rainforest environment. I’ve found it’s surprisingly easy to keep mine happy with the right setup.
Aim for a humidity level of 60-80%, as this plant loves moist air to showcase its unbelievably beautiful variegated leaves. You can achieve this with a humidifier, a pebble tray filled with water, or by placing it in a naturally humid spot like a bathroom or kitchen. Another trick I love is grouping it with other indoor plants to create a humid microclimate.
Temperature
For temperature, keep your Pink Princess in a cozy range of 65-80°F (18-27°C) for optimal growth. It can tolerate brief dips down to 50°F (10°C), but avoid prolonged exposure below 60°F (15°C) to prevent stress, such as wilting or loss of variegation. High temperatures above 85°F (29°C) can also cause issues like leaf curling if humidity isn’t maintained.
I’ve noticed my PPP thrives best when I keep it away from cold drafts, heating vents, or direct AC airflow, ensuring stable warmth to support its vibrant pink hues. And as a side note, it is super important to watch the temperature when you move your plants indoors and out – the more rare houseplants like this one do not love cool nights!
This could mean bringing them in during the month of August if nighttime temps dip low enough. So the short of it is…watch the weather.
Pro Tip: In winter, when indoor heating can dry out the air, I boost humidity with a small humidifier near my Pink Princess to keep those leaves glossy and colorful. Check your plant’s spot with a hygrometer to ensure it’s in the sweet spot for both temperature and humidity
Watering Your Pink Princess Philodendron Plant
This philodendron prefers its soil to be consistently moist but not oversaturated with damp soggy soil. But what does that even mean? Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings because overwatering is not good for the Pink Princess as it leads to root rot and other problems.
The best way to know when to water is to stick your finger deep into the soil and feel it. You can also use a soil moisture meter like this if you want.
I do not follow a weekly watering schedule and instead, feel the soil to see when my pink princess needs water.
Fertilizing Your Pink Princess Philodendron
To keep your Pink Princess in peak condition, fertilize with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every month during the growing season. I’ve used a slow-release fertilizer like this so it is set and forget. In the dormant months of fall and winter, I used to stop feeding mine altogether in September so it can slow down and go dormant during the winter.
Over the last year, I’ve completely changed my fertilizing practices with all of my houseplants, including the Pink Princess Philodendron. Instead of the above, I feed my tropical plants with this gentle organic fertilizer every time I water and the results have been AMAZING. My tropical houseplants look a lot less sad after a long, dark, and cold winter here in New Jersey. And the pink princess was no exception with this feeding method.
Propagating Pink Princess Philodendron
Propagating the Pink Princess Philodendron is a rewarding experience. It allows you to multiply your collection or share it with fellow plant enthusiasts. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to propagation through stem cuttings:
- Select a Healthy Stem: Choose a stem with at least two nodes (the points where leaves attach to the stem) and a few leaves.
- Cut: Using a clean, sharp knife or scissors, cut just below a node.
- Root: Place the cutting in water, ensuring at least one node is submerged. Change the water weekly.
- Plant: Once roots develop (typically within a few weeks to a month), plant the cutting in a pot with well-draining soil.
- Grow: Place your new Pink Princess in its ideal light conditions and resume regular care.
My pink princess philodendron is still a bit young to propagate, but I’ll give it a whirl once it matures. I’d love to gift one to my daughter, Shana, who is on the start of her own plant parenting journey.
Common Pest and Disease Problems
The Pink Princess Philodendron is generally a breeze to grow but can sometimes have issues. Giving it a moss pole or trellis to climb not only boosts its lush, cascading growth but also improves airflow to help prevent pests and diseases. However, like any houseplant, it can face problems if growing conditions aren’t ideal. Here are the most common pests and diseases you might encounter and how to fix them.
Common Pests on Pink Princess
Even with its easy-care nature, the Pink Princess can attract pests, especially in dry indoor settings. Regular checks and quick action will protect those stunning pink and green leaves.
Spider Mites: These tiny pests cause yellowing or stippling on leaves, often with fine webbing, and thrive in low humidity.
- Prevention: Keep humidity at 60-80% and mist leaves occasionally.
- Treatment: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth or use insecticidal soap. Isolate affected plants to prevent spread.
Mealybugs: Look for white, cottony clumps on stems or leaf undersides, which can lead to sticky honeydew and sooty mold.
- Prevention: Inspect new plants before adding them to your collection.
- Treatment: Dab mealybugs with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs or apply neem oil.
Aphids: Small, soft-bodied insects cluster on new growth, causing curled or distorted leaves.
- Prevention: Use reflective mulches indoors or encourage beneficial insects if grown outdoors.
- Treatment: Rinse with a strong water stream or apply horticultural oil.
Scale Insects: Hard, shell-like bumps on stems and leaves suck sap, causing yellowing and wilting.
- Prevention: Maintain healthy plants with proper light and watering.
- Treatment: Scrape off scales manually and treat with insecticidal soap.
Thrips: These cause silvery streaks or scarring on leaves, especially in warm, dry conditions.
- Prevention: Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and catch adults.
- Treatment: Apply systemic insecticides for severe infestations.
As a preventative measure, I’ve been using this organic houseplant insect control granule to keep these kinds of problems at bay and it works like a charm!
Common Diseases With Philodendron Pink Princess
Most diseases arise from overwatering or poor environmental conditions, but with proper care, they’re rare. Here’s how to spot and manage them to keep your PPP’s variegation vibrant and beautiful.
Bacterial Leaf Spot: Translucent spots on leaf edges turn reddish-brown with yellow halos, becoming tan and irregular.
- Cause: Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae.
- Prevention: Avoid overhead watering and buy disease-free plants.
- Treatment: Remove infected leaves promptly to stop spread.
Bacterial Blight: Small dark green spots grow rapidly, spreading to petioles, causing leaves to collapse in a foul-smelling wet rot.
- Cause: Erwinia species.
- Prevention: Water at the base to keep foliage dry.
- Treatment: Excise affected leaves; discard severely infected plants.
Root Rot: Yellowing leaves, wilting, and mushy roots signal this fungal issue from overwatering.
- Cause: Fungal pathogens in waterlogged soil.
- Prevention: Use well-draining soil and let the top inch dry between waterings.
- Treatment: Repot in fresh soil, trim rotten roots, and reduce watering.
Fungal Leaf Spot: General spotting on leaves, often caused by fungi in humid, poorly ventilated conditions.
- Prevention: Water at the base and ensure good air circulation with a climbing support.
- Treatment: Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide if needed.
Cold Injury: Dark green to brown blotches between veins occur from low temperatures.
- Cause: Exposure below 50°F (10°C).
- Prevention: Keep above 55°F (13°C), away from drafts or cold windows.
- Treatment: Move to a warmer spot; recovery may be slow.
Magnesium Deficiency: V-shaped yellow areas on leaves, common in cooler conditions.
- Cause: Nutrient imbalance.
- Prevention: Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
- Treatment: Apply Epsom salts (1 tsp per gallon of water) to correct deficiency.
Tip Curl: Downward curling tips, browning margins, and dead roots from over-fertilization.
- Cause: Excess fertilizer salts.
- Prevention: Fertilize sparingly, following a monthly schedule in spring and summer. This is why I prefer using a gentle organic fertilizer. Haven’t seen this happen ever with my Pink Princess!
- Treatment: Leach soil with water to flush salts and reduce fertilizer use; repot if damage is severe.
Pro Tip: I check my Pink Princess weekly for pests or disease signs, especially under those gorgeous variegated leaves. Catching issues early and providing a climbing support for better airflow keeps my plant healthy and its pink hues vibrant. If problems persist, revisit your care routine—light, water, and humidity are key!
Pink Princess Philodendron FAQ
Why is my Pink Princess Philodendron losing its pink color?
The most common reason for a loss of variegation is insufficient light. Move your plant to a brighter location. You may also need to prune stems that have reverted to solid green to encourage new variegated growth.
Is the Pink Princess Philodendron toxic to pets?
Yes, like other philodendrons, the Pink Princess is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Is pink princess philodendron hard to care for?
In general, pink princess philodendron is not hard to grow but needs a certain level of care. While it is not the most demanding plant, its specific needs must be met to maintain its health and vibrant variegation.
In addition to the above care requirements, occasional pruning can help maintain its shape and encourage more bushy growth. It’s also necessary to remove any yellowing or damaged leaves. Keep in mind that the variegation of the Pink Princess Philodendron can be influenced by lighting conditions. Too little light can cause the plant to produce more green leaves, while too much light can stress the plant.
Despite these requirements, the Pink Princess Philodendron is relatively forgiving and can bounce back from occasional care mistakes. The key to successfully caring for this plant is to monitor its environment and adjust care routines as needed to keep it healthy and maintain its stunning variegation. With patience and attention to its needs, even beginners can enjoy the beauty of a thriving Pink Princess Philodendron.
Where is the best place to put a pink princess philodendron?
The best place to put a Philodendron Pink Princess is in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight with lots of humidity. An ideal spot would be near a window with a sheer curtain that diffuses the light, preventing direct sunlight from hitting the leaves, which can cause them to scorch and fade in color. North or east-facing windows are typically great choices, as they offer gentle morning sunlight without the intense heat of the afternoon sun.
Placing it in a room that naturally has higher humidity, like a kitchen or bathroom, can be beneficial if those spaces also have suitable light conditions. If the air in your home is dry, especially during winter months, using a humidifier or placing the plant on a pebble tray with water can help increase the surrounding humidity. Or you can group it with several other tropical indoor plants to create a more humid microclimate.
Keep your pink princess plant away from drafts like air conditioning or heating vents because sudden temperature fluctuations can stress the plant.
More About Growing Pink Princess Philodendron
The Philodendron Pink Princess is more than just a houseplant; it’s a true collector’s item and a vibrant pop of color for any indoor space. I’ve become completely obsessed with pink foliage plants lately, and this one is easily at the top of my list. Its striking pink variegation against the deep, almost burgundy-black stems creates a stunning contrast that never gets old.
After spending time nurturing this plant, one of the most rewarding discoveries I’ve made is how it responds to being given a climbing opportunity. Providing a moss pole or a trellis isn’t just a suggestion—it’s the key to unlocking its full potential. When given the support to climb, the leaves grow significantly larger and more mature, showcasing an even more impressive display of color.
While the care might seem a little intimidating at first, the effort is well worth it. This plant is a true showstopper, and watching each new leaf unfurl with its unique splash of pink is an absolute delight. I hope this guide helps you enjoy the rewarding experience of growing your very own Pink Princess Philodendron.
Have you grown a pink princess philodendron before? Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I would love to know more in the comments below.
To drill down on houseplant care basics and grow an indoor garden that thrives, please read my articles:
- Houseplant Care 101
- From Shop to Home: How to Acclimate Your Tropical Plants
- How to Water Indoor Plants Like a Pro
- How to Revive Houseplants You Thought Were Goners
- Is Your Houseplant Getting Enough Light? Here’s How to Tell.
For more information about growing philodendrons, read this article from Iowa State University Cooperative Extension.
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Enjoy your day! xo
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Can I grow my new pink princess in water so the roots recuperate. I bought it but the roots are almost gone
I’ve not tried it before but you can propagate them that way – clean all of the soil off the roots before you drop them in and freshen up the water every few days to a week. Keep am eye on it. Let me know how it goes Heidi I would love to hear!
I love how you kept this informative and easy to understand! I own over 100 houseplants (everything from Philodendron and Pothos to Echeveria and Aloe) but the PPP is on my Wishlist! Thank you for the simple care guide!
I appreciate your comment so much Marissa – thank you! The houseplant family grows and grows right??? I love my PPP. She’s doing well and I can’t wait to watch her grow more! Let me know how you enjoy yours when you get it!
Thank you for this article on pink princess philodendrons. I got mine off Amazon with the hopes of getting an expensive plant for a good price. Our local nursery sold them for $40. So this was a bargain. I received a tiny plant with three leaves. It is thriving and yes they are slow growers! I have not fertilized mine yet and it is in the same little starter pot it arrived in. In the spring I hope to be able to start fertilizing and re-pot. I’m hesitant! But your article gave me confidence that maybe I won’t kill the little fella! Thanks so much!
I’m so glad you found one and found this post helpful! It’s tough because I love to purchase from my local nurseries and do, but I also love to click the mouse and purchase online too, especially if I can find it for a little less. Last year, I ordered a few through Amazon just to see what I’d get and they were in good shape! They really thrived though once I got them outside in the heat and humidity of my NJ summer. Check out We the Wild plant fertilizer – I started using it a few months ago and feed my plants now with it every time I water them. Its very gentle and has worm castings. My plants are really loving it!
Moss pole?
Hey Claudia! How are you! Pink princesses like to climb so they need support to grow vertically.
Did you create this moss pole or purchase it?
Did you create this moss pole or purchase it?
Hi Claudia! I bought it – here is the link: (affiliate) https://urlgeni.us/amzn/mosspoles