Philodendron Pink Princess Overview

The stunning Philodendron Pink Princess (Philodendron erubescens or 'pink princess') is often at the very top of countless plant collectors' wish lists, and rightfully so. The pink princess is exceptionally unusual in the plant world, with deep green, heart-shaped leaves with bubblegum pink variegation. While the pink princess's variation is similar to the Philodendron pink congo, it is more stable because natural processes cause it. In contrast, the pink congo variegation is caused by chemicals injected into the leaves and usually returns to green a few months after purchase.

Learning how to properly care for your pink princess philodendron is key to keeping its bright pink variegation. Fortunately, like many other plants in the philodendron genus, it is easy to care for.

That said, the plant is a bit particular about some things and isn't ideal for a house full of curious and maybe hungry pets. Those problems aside, the Pink Princess is a remarkable plant that will brighten your home.

The pink princess philodendron is a tropical aroid of the Araceae family native to Columbia. Despite its exorbitant price, this vibrant plant is relatively simple to maintain. However, there are a few crucial considerations to guarantee that the leaves' variegation is maximized. While the pink princess has flowers, the spathes are small compared to the plant's leaves and rarely flower indoors.

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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 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 a portion of the day.

If your plant is in a highly sunny position, such as a south-facing room, you'll need to shade it. If possible, keep the pink plant away from the window. 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. For the perfect growing medium, mix peat-based soil with perlite or orchid substrate. The fertile, organic peat retains moisture, while the other elements allow excess water to drain.

Like many other aroids, this Philodendron cultivar has aerial roots, which scavenge moisture and nutrients from the surrounding air. Philodendrons also have underground roots, 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 following advice for caring for a pink Philodendron.

How to Water a Philodendron Pink Princess

Water your plant when the top 1" to 2" of soil has dried. Pour water into the pot until it drains out the bottom during watering. This 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.

The most typical mistake when watering a Pink Princess is trying to take care of it too often. Overwatering can cause root rot, yellowing foliage, and a wilted appearance, among other problems. Instead of watering on a regular schedule, test the moisture content of the potting mix first. If there isn't any moisture in the soil, water the plant. Otherwise, wait until the earth has dried out more before watering.

Comprehensive irrigation is preferable to shallow irrigation for several reasons. The roots will not acquire enough moisture if you merely water the plants a little, so even if you appear to be caring for your plant, it may still indicate dehydration. Fungus gnats also prefer humid circumstances and reside in the upper 1" to 2" soil. If you do not let the top section of the soil dry out, you are simply encouraging bugs to grow.

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 and removed. Pruning can foster rapid development while also preventing the beauty of the plant from being ruined by lanky stems.

When pruning a Philodendron erubescens, always make a clean cut just above the node—the point where the leaves link to the stem. The node will sprout new pink, dark green, or burgundy leaves. Pruning not only encourages new development but 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 later. Repotting your plant allows you to freshen the potting mix while 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? Caring for this plant makes perfect sense because it is one of the most expensive houseplants you can buy.

Please refer to the following instructions for repotting a Philodendron Pink Princess:

First, 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 any soil from the roots.

After that, inspect the roots for symptoms of rot or disease and prune as needed. Healthy roots should be white or light tan, supple, and not mushy.

Fill the new pot halfway with a good potting mix and place the plant inside.

After that, ensure the Pink Princess is the same height as 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, most 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.