If youve been in store, you would have noticed our beautiful big Pink Princesses by the door. A few years ago, I thought Instagram Princesses with big blocks of pink or even (gasp!) a whole pink leaf didn’t exist in real life, even though I saw a lot of them online.
But this baby has proven me wrong. They do exist! And here are my tips on how to get more pink from your Princess.
Light: This baby gets the most amazing, bright light—never direct sunlight, but very bright sunlight that bounces off the walls and into the store. My neighbour parks his ute outside and the sun beams straight at her. She’s also against a white wall so the light reflects around all her leaves. That shows how light really is the most important thing. She has also grown twice as much as her twin sister who lives with me.
Age: She’s well established and climbing on a large coconut totem pole. This keeps her leaves big and makes sure they all get as much light as possible.
Water: I water her once a week and occasionally mist when the days are hot and dry.
Clean: I wipe the leaves down once a week to make sure she can photosynthesise as much as possible. You can buy this mix in stores. I make my own with white oil, neem oil, and other things.
Pink Stem: A stripe on the stem will let you know if your Princess plant will produce pink leaves. If you can clearly see a stripe, pink will come. When you buy a new plant, it’s especially important to look for the stripe. If yours doesn’t have one, that’s okay; with the right care, it can grow one. I’ve included a pic of the stem in this set to show you what it looks like.
Chop: I’ve heard that cutting your Princess makes her produce more pink, but I haven’t chopped this one yet and she’s still making more pink, so I’ll try it on another plant and let you know!
The Philodendron Pink Princess is one of the most coveted houseplants today This tropical plant is loved for its unique pink variegated leaves that can add a splash of color to any indoor space While Pink Princesses naturally produce pink leaves, you can encourage even more pink coloration with the right care and techniques.
Start with Proper Lighting
Lighting is crucial to bringing out the pink in a Philodendron Pink Princess. This plant needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Direct sunlight will scorch the delicate leaves.
Aim for placing your Pink Princess in an east or west-facing window where it will get gentle morning or afternoon sun. Make sure to filter the light with a sheer curtain to prevent leaf burn. Supplement with artificial lighting if needed. The more light your plant gets, the more vibrant pink you’ll see on new leaves.
Maintain Ideal Temperatures
The Pink Princess prefers warm temperatures between 65-80°F. Cooler temperatures can cause leaves to turn green. Make sure to keep your plant away from drafty windows or air vents in the winter when indoor conditions get cooler and drier.
You can use a small space heater or grow lights to maintain appropriate temperatures if needed. Just avoid extreme temperature fluctuations
Provide Good Air Circulation
Allow air to freely circulate around your Philodendron. Stagnant air can lead to fungal or bacterial diseases that may damage leaves.
Set up a small fan to keep air gently moving around the plant. Prune off any dead or dying leaves that can trap moisture against the plant. Give your Pink Princess some breathing room and avoid crowding it too close to other plants.
Maintain Proper Humidity Levels
These tropical plants prefer humidity levels between 50-60%. Low humidity causes the pink variegation to fade.
Mist your plant daily or use a pebble tray filled with water to increase humidity. You can also run a humidifier nearby. Just be sure not to overdo it as too much moisture encourages pests and diseases.
Use a Well-Draining Soil Mix
A lightweight, porous potting mix is important to prevent your Pink Princess’ roots from staying too wet. Prepare a soil blend using equal parts peat moss, perlite or vermiculite, and organic potting soil.
You can also amend soil with bark chips, coir, or orchid mix to improve drainage. Add a handful of worm castings for nutrients. Repot every 1-2 years in spring into a slightly larger container.
Water Thoroughly When Dry
Philodendron Pink Princesses like evenly moist but not soggy soil. Wait until the top inch or two of soil has dried out before watering again.
When you do water, pour enough so that liquid drains from the pot’s bottom holes. This ensures the entire root zone gets hydrated. Avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.
Fertilize Regularly in Growing Season
Feed your Philodendron with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks in spring through fall. This provides nutrients for growth and vibrant variegation. Stop fertilizing over winter when plant growth naturally slows.
Make sure to flush the soil monthly with plain water to prevent fertilizer salt buildup. Good drainage and moderate feeding keeps the Pink Princess thriving.
Increase Humidity for New Leaf Growth
When your Philodendron sends up a new leaf, increase humidity around the emerging growth. Use a spray bottle to regularly mist the plant while the new leaf is unfurling over a period of weeks.
You can also place a plastic bag or cloche over the new leaf to create a greenhouse effect until the leaf reaches full size. Boosted humidity during new growth can maximize the pink coloring in leaves.
Prune Strategically for More Pink
Pruning is key to encouraging more pink variegation on your Philodendron. Identify stems that have the most pink coloration on them. Then, make cuttings by snipping just below a node.
Remove the cuttings and root them in water to propagate more plants. The freshly pruned stems on the mother plant will then produce new shoots and leaves that have an increased chance of colorful variegation.
Monitor Light Exposure of New Growth
Position new growth emerging from pink variegated stems in an ideal lighting zone to maximize coloration of the fresh leaves. Rotate your plant or adjust blinds to control light exposure on sensitive new growth.
Direct sunlight can fade or burn the delicate new leaves before they have a chance to fully develop their pink hues. Filtered bright light is ideal for the healthiest new leaves.
Stake and Train Growth Habit
Use plant stakes or a moss pole to train your Philodendron’s long stems upright. This helps showcase the pink variegation and encourages bushier growth.
Gently tie new shoots to the support as they elongate. You can also pinch off stem tips to promote side shoot growth and a fuller appearance. Direct the size and shape of your plant by training upward growth.
ProvideIdeal Conditions Constantly
Getting a Philodendron Pink Princess to grow more pink leaves requires providing the ideal conditions at all times. These plants won’t tolerate neglect or insufficient care.
Be diligent about monitoring moisture, humidity, temperatures, sunlight exposure, and nutrition to help maximize pink variegation in leaves. Consistency is key when caring for this prized houseplant.
Treat Pests and Diseases Quickly
Prevent pests like mealybugs and aphids which can compromise plant health and vigor. Isolate any infected plants immediately and use natural treatments like neem oil.
Trim off damaged growth and discard it away from other plants. Keep leaves dust-free and allow the plant to dry out adequately between waterings to prevent fungal or bacterial diseases. Act quickly at the first sign of problems.
Allow the Plant to Mature Over Time
Don’t expect your Philodendron Pink Princess to turn completely pink overnight. It takes time for these plants to reach maturity and start showing the most vibrant variegation.
Be patient and allow your plant to adjust to its environment and fill out over a few years. With the proper care, the pink hues will intensify as the plant ages. It’s worth the wait for this stunning tropical houseplant.
Propagate From Pink-Variegated Sections
Take stem cuttings from sections that already have established pink variegation. Root the cuttings in water until they grow fresh roots. Then pot up the propagated plants.
This cloning process helps replicate the pink-producing genetics. Over time, you can increase your collection of Pink Princesses from the plants showing the most colorful leaves and stems.
Consider the Plant’s Natural Growth Habits
Keep in mind that the striking pink patterns occur due to a genetic mutation. Each plant has its own natural variegation tendencies and limits.
While you can maximize the expression of pink with ideal growing conditions, don’t expect an entirely pink plant or more pink than the variety is capable of producing. Work with the plant’s natural characteristics and enjoy it for its unique beauty.
Enjoy This Gorgeous Houseplant
Caring for a Philodendron Pink Princess brings a great sense of reward when you help encourage the growth of vivid pink leaves. With a little patience and the right conditions, you’ll have a plant that stands out with its captivating foliage.
Make sure to give this tropical plant the light, warmth, humidity, soil, water and nutrition it needs to thrive. Follow these tips to successfully grow a Philodendron Pink Princess that shows off its beautiful pink coloration.
How to IMPROVE the Variegation in Philodendron Pink Princess | Better Variegation in Propagations
FAQ
How do you increase variegation on pink Princess?
How to make a pink princess philodendron pink?
Why is my philodendron pink princess not pink?
Can a reverted pink princess turn pink again?
Do Pink Princess plants grow faster?
Like any variegated plant, it will grow slower than it’s non-variegated counterpart because it has less chlorophyll. How big do Pink Princess plants get? Over time, with good conditions and care, they can get several feet tall, but it is very important to provide support with a moss pole, a wooden stake or plank, or similar support.
What does pink princess look like?
Pink Princess is a plant that’s hard to miss when you come across it. The long leaves are a deep green with spots of pink variegation in interesting patterns. Young stems start out a bright red, like other Philodendron erubescens types, and turn a deeper burgundy as the plant ages.
How do you grow pink princess Philodendron?
Philodendron Pink Princess will grow best in an environment with 50% humidity. You can use a monitor to see how dry the air is. Increase it by running a humidifier nearby, setting the plant on top of a pebble tray, or misting a few times a week. The ideal temperature range for growing Pink Princess Philodendron is between 65-85°F.
Can you grow pink princess from seed?
If you attempt to grow these from seed, they will not produce any pink leaves and you will likely get the all-green species of Philodendron erubescens. Seeds will simply not give you an exact genetic copy of the plant. So spare yourself any frustration and hard earned money and don’t get scammed into buying any Pink Princess seeds.
