The key to keeping your pink princess philodendron's bright pink variegation is to learn how to properly care for it. Fortunately, it, like many other plants in the philodendron genus, is easy to care for.
That being said, the plant is a bit particular about some things and isn't ideal for a house full of pets that are curious and maybe a bit hungry. Those problems aside, the Pink Princess is a remarkable plant that is going to brighten your home.
The pink princess philodendron is a tropical aroid of the Araceae family that is native to Columbia. Despite its exorbitant price, this vibrant plant is rather simple to maintain. However, there are a few crucial considerations to do to guarantee that the variegation on the leaves is maximized. While the pink princess has flowers, the spathes are small in comparison to the plant's leaves, and they rarely flower indoors.
Lighting
Philodendron Pink Princess prefers strong indirect light to thrive. This type of lighting creates the optimal environment for healthy development and balanced variegation. Additionally, filtered light is also beneficial because the sun does not shine directly on the leaves. As a result, the optimal location is in a room that faces east or west and receives sunlight for portion of the day.
If your plant is in an extremely sunny position, such as a south-facing room, you'll need to shade it. Keep the pink plant away from the window if at all possible. One way to detect if it's getting too much sunshine is if the leaves turn yellow. If a few leaves have begun to yellow, transfer the plant to a more shady spot.
A leaf will naturally become yellow as it matures; as long as the surrounding leaves appear healthy, don't be concerned. You'll learn how to resuscitate a dying Pink Princess Philodendron at the end of the article.
Soil
The finest potting mix for Philodendron erubescens should be nutrient-rich, moisture-retaining, and not soggy. Mix peat-based soil with perlite or orchid substrate to make the perfect growing medium. The fertile, organic peat retains moisture, while the other elements allow excess water to drain.
This Philodendron cultivar, like so many other aroids, has aerial roots. These scavenge moisture and nutrients from the surrounding air. Philodendrons have underground roots as well. So, a soilless mixture like sphagnum moss or peat-pearlite might be used to cultivate your pink plant.
While these "princesses" aren't picky eaters, they still require wet soil to thrive. Proper watering is the next piece of advice for caring for a pink Philodendron.
How to Water a Philodendron Pink Princess
Water your plant just when the top 1" to 2" of soil has dried out. Pour water into the pot until it drains out the bottom during watering. This kind of watering guarantees that the plant roots receive adequate nutrition and that the pink leaves grow healthy. When the earth is partly dry, water your Philodendron as needed.
When watering a Pink Princess, the most typical mistake is to try to take care of it too often. Overwatering can cause root rot, yellowing foliage, and a wilted look, among other problems. Test the moisture content of the potting mix first, rather than watering on a regular schedule. If there isn't any moisture in the soil, water the plant. Otherwise, wait till the earth has dried out more before watering.
There are a few reasons why comprehensive irrigation is preferable to shallow irrigation. The roots will not acquire enough moisture if you merely water the plants a little. So, even if you appear to be taking care of your plant, it may still be showing indications of dehydration. Fungus gnats also prefer humid circumstances and reside in the upper 1" to 2" of soil. You are simply encouraging bugs to grow if you do not let the top section of the soil to dry out.
Pruning the Philodendron Pink Princess
Pruning a Philodendron Pink Princess is beneficial. Pruning your plant is best done in the spring or fall, right before or after the growing season. Any leaves that look to be yellowing or dead can be pruned removed. Pruning can foster rapid development while also preventing the beauty of the plant from being ruined by lanky stems.
Always make a clean cut just above the node—the point where the leaves link to the stem—when pruning a Philodendron erubescens. The node will sprout new pink and dark green or burgundy leaves. Pruning not only encourages new development, but it also allows you to manage the height of your plants if you have a small space.
Repotting
When they're young, Philodendron erubescens should be repotted once a year, then each two years after that. Repotting your plant allows you to freshen the potting mix while also promoting growth. Larger containers give the roots more room to spread out. Another advantage of repotting is that it assists with drainage by preventing the plant from becoming rootbound.
What's the best way to repot a pink princess? It makes perfect sense to care for this plant because it is one of the most expensive houseplants you can buy.
Please refer to the following instructions for repotting a Philodendron Pink Princess:
To begin, thoroughly water the plant the day before repotting to help reduce stress. Then, acquire a new pot that's 1 to 2 inches larger than the old one. Remove the plant from its container and gently scrape away any soil from the roots.
After that, inspect the roots for symptoms of rot or disease and prune as needed. Roots that are healthy should be white or light tan in color, supple, and not mushy.
Fill the new pot halfway with a good potting mix and place the plant inside.
After that, make sure the Pink Princess is the same height as it was in the last container and fill the empty area with potting soil.
Finally, carefully squeeze the stems together to support the plant and properly water it.
Pests and Diseases for the Philodendron Pink Princess
The Philodendron erubescens is a hardy indoor plant that is disease and insect resistant.
Mealybugs and aphids are the most common pests. Meanwhile, the majority of plant diseases are caused by root rot caused by hydration concerns. Water the plant only when the soil is almost dry. Wilting leaves can indicate either too much or too little moisture.