The Pink Princess Philodendron is the kind of houseplant that would drive you crazy! The Philodendron Pink Princess is a beautiful plant with leaves that are speckled with bright pink spots. It is fun to watch each new leaf unfold and see what color it has in store, even though not all of them will be this color. Hence, a bit of the frustration.
In today’s article, learn everything there is to know and how to care for the Pink Princess Philodendron.
The gloriously pink variegated leaves of the Pink Princess Philodendron make it one of the most coveted houseplants around. However, behind its flashy foliage lies a rather fussy plant that can decline easily, especially if humidity is insufficient
In this article, we’ll look at the ideal humidity requirements for Pink Princess Philodendrons to help you keep your plant healthy and looking its best!
The Pink Princess Philodendron, scientifically known as Philodendron erubescens, is a stunning tropical plant native to the rainforests of South America. Emerging leaves unfurl in shades of pink, white, and green, resulting in a mosaic of delightful variegation.
Mature Pink Princess Philodendrons can reach up to 4 feet tall when supported, but generally remain around 2 feet tall indoors. They have vining growth habits and aerial roots that grab onto supports.
These tropical plants thrive in warm, humid conditions much like those found in South American jungles. As houseplants, they are quite adaptable but do require some specialized care to truly flourish.
Why Humidity Matters for the Pink Princess
Pink Princess Philodendrons hail from humid, tropical environments, so humidity is very important for their health and growth. Here’s why increased humidity benefits these plants:
- Prevents leaf browning and crisping along the edges
- Keeps leaves dust-free and vibrant
- Supports lush, vigorous growth
- Can enhance variegation
- Mimics native climate conditions
Low humidity causes moisture loss from the leaves. This leads to dry, browned tips and margins on the foliage. Boosting humidity prevents this unsightly damage.
Ideal Humidity Levels
Pink Princess Philodendrons thrive best at 50-70% relative humidity. The average home provides humidity around 30-50%, so some intervention is needed.
Aim to keep the humidity around your Pink Princess at least 50% or higher. Use a hygrometer to monitor the actual humidity level in the vicinity of your plant.
Providing the Right Humidity
You can increase humidity for your Pink Princess Philodendron in several ways:
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Use a humidifier near the plant to add moisture to the surrounding air. Choose one with settings to maintain 50-60% humidity.
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Place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water. The evaporating water increases immediate humidity.
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Mist the leaves occasionally with a spray bottle of water.
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Grow the Philodendron in a bathroom or kitchen where natural humidity tends to be higher.
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Group plants together to create a self-sustaining humid microclimate.
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Avoid drafts, heating and cooling vents which dry the air.
Other Important Growing Conditions
In addition to proper humidity, your Pink Princess requires:
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Bright indirect light – Some sun is needed to maintain variegation but direct light scorches the leaves. East or west windows are ideal.
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Warm temperatures between 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C).
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Well-draining potting mix – Use a mix made for tropical plants, and add perlite for aeration.
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Fertilizer – Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
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Even moisture – Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Never allow the plant to sit in soggy soil.
Signs of Improper Humidity
If the humidity around your Pink Princess Philodendron drops too low, you may notice:
- Brown crispy edges along the leaves
- Dull, faded leaf color and variegation
- Leaves covered in dust
- Slow growth
- Leaf drop
Boost the humidity if any of these issues occur. The plant will quickly bounce back once humidity is elevated.
Caring for a Crispy Philodendron
If your Pink Princess already has dry, crispy leaves, don’t despair! Just increase humidity per the tips above to prevent further damage.
Prune off any leaves that are more than 50% affected. This spruces up the plant’s appearance. New leaves will unfurl in better condition once humidity is improved.
Achieving a Healthy, Happy Pink Princess
Caring for a Pink Princess Philodendron has its challenges, but taking steps to increase humidity makes a world of difference. Monitor moisture levels with a hygrometer, use pebble trays and humidifiers, and prune damaged leaves.
With the right humidity and other proper care, your high-maintenance Philodendron will produce vigorous growth and gorgeous variegated foliage that will be the envy of all your plant-loving friends!
Common Plant Pests and Diseases
A few diseases or pests will harm your Pink Princess Philodendron. Aphids, mealybugs, fungus gnats, spider mites, and scale may infest the leaves. These pests may be naturally handled by producing pesticide soap or chopping off the infected leaves.
Root rot, caused by excessive watering, and rust spot, caused by a fungal infection, are two prevalent illnesses that can harm this beautiful plant.
But there is one thing to keep an eye out for: withering leaves. Even when conditions are ideal, enthusiasts may encounter frequent occurrences of this happening.
If you catch it early enough, you can keep your Pink Princess healthy by changing how much you water her or just changing the amount of sunlight and/or increasing the humidity. Overwatering is the most common culprit in this situation.
How to Care For Your Pink Princess Philodendron
Here are some points to keep in mind while caring for this plant.
Giving your Pink Princess Philodendron lots of bright, indirect light is one method to maintain its pink coloring. The essential term here, though, is indirect. Direct sunlight will burn the plant’s fragile leaves and make it brownish, and the harm is irreversible.
Put this philodendron somewhere with low to moderate sunlight, and the color will probably fade and the growth rate will probably stop even more. If you’re concerned about light levels, add a grow lamp.
Allow the upper half of the soil to dry between waterings, then water thoroughly. Ensure your Pink Princess never rests in wet soil, which can cause root rot. It is easier to give your pink princess philodendron too much water than not enough, so be safe and wait another day if you aren’t sure.
This plant thrives in soil rich in organic content, as do all Philodendrons. You can also use the soilless potting mix of your choice, but make sure to add enough perlite to make it nice and airy.
An excellent starting point for houseplant potting mix is 3 parts Miracle-Gro Potting Mix to 1 part Perlite.
When you mix it all together, you get a lovely, fluffy potting mix for your green tropical plants! Pink Princess really likes this mix!
The Pink Princess Philodendron does best in warm, humid conditions, but the normal temperature and humidity in a home are fine for these hardy plants.
There should be no temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) for your plant. It should be kept between 65 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 26 degrees Celsius).
Philodendrons, in general, like humid conditions. They are, after all, from tropical climates! However, they adapt well to average household humidity levels.
Increasing the humidity for your Pink Princess Philodendron will support healthy new growth. It has also been shown that extra humidity can help keep the colored parts of some of these plants from turning brown.
During its growing season (spring and summer), the Pink Princess Philodendron does best when it is fed a mixed liquid fertilizer once a month. As your plant enters its dormant stage in the early fall, stop fertilizing it.
The Pink Princess Philodendron is an evergreen climbing plant in the Araceae family, which includes aroids. It can grow up to 4 feet tall when planted, but most of the time it stays about 2 feet tall. It features burgundy stems, petioles, and aerial roots that sprout from the nodes. New leaves emerge with burgundy color (which subsequently becomes variegated) or with pink and white variegation.
Unfortunately, when swallowed, Pink Princess Philodendron is a dangerous plant. If you’re worried about your children or pets eating it, keep it out of their reach.
When young, Philodendron erubescens must be repotted once a year, then once every two years after that. Repotting your plant allows you to freshen up the potting mix while encouraging development. Larger pots give the roots more space to develop. Another advantage of repotting is that it keeps the plant’s roots from getting rootbound, which aids drainage.
Philodendron Pink Princess Care PPP Tips & Tricks
FAQ
Do pink Princess philodendrons like being misted?
Where is the best place to put a pink Princess philodendron?
What are the best conditions for pink Princess philodendron?
How to encourage pink on pink princess?
Do Pink Princess philodendrons like high humidity?
Like any Philodendron, Pink Princess will appreciate higher humidity levels. If you can provide at least 50% humidity, your plant will love it. Check out my blog post on increasing humidity for your houseplants. Paying attention to the humidity level is especially important if you have forced heat.
What temperature should a pink princess Philodendron be kept in?
The Philodendron Pink Princess is a tropical plant and therefore likes warm temperatures. It is best to keep your Pink Princess in an environment that is between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below 60 degrees, this can cause stress to the Pink Princess Philodendron plants which will make them susceptible to diseases.
Are Philodendron Pink Princess plants easy to care for?
If you’re looking for an interesting and beautiful houseplant that is easy to care for, the Philodendron Pink Princess plant may be perfect for you. With a little bit of TLC, this plant will thrive in your home and bring beauty to any space. Be sure to check out my other posts for more tips on caring for your plants. Happy gardening!
Why is my Philodendron Pink Princess pink?
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, variegation means when a plant has areas of different color. In the case of the Philodendron Pink Princess, that color is pink. In many other plants, it may be a creamy white, yellow, and other variations. Normally, the variegation is caused by a mutation in the plant.