Philodendron Pink Princess is the epitome of an aesthetically pleasing plant. Aside from the bright pink variegated foliage, the long, leggy stems can also be variegated pink and white. And here are some tips on how to get more pink from your Princess.
Photography by Trinity Shi/Cube House Jungle
Light
Because of the exquisite variegation, this plant requires more sunlight than other types of tropicals. Never put it
in a location where it will be exposed to direct sunlight. The hot afternoon heat will quickly scorch your plant, so
keep it away from west-facing windows. Because they are so delicate, the pink variegated parts burn more easily than
the green leaves.
Water
When the soil is dry about 2 inches down, water your pink princess. These aren’t the type of plants that you can
water once a week and forget about. You’ll have to keep an eye on the soil to see when it needs watering, as it
changes throughout the year with the growing season.
Soil
We recommend using any high-quality indoor houseplant potting soil that drains well and has plenty of aeration. Your
pink princess will not enjoy sitting in a wet container with excess water for an extended period of time.
A mix of orchid bark or sphagnum moss will assist the roots breathe, mimicking the native growing conditions of
Columbia’s tropical woods. No matter what mix you choose, it’s always a good idea to add perlite (around 20%) to
ensure that your soil drains well.
Photography by Trinity Shi/Cube House Jungle
Humidity
To keep the lovely blush patches, you must keep this plant happy and healthy. One of the most common
misconceptions among new plant owners is that these are tropical plants, so humidity is essential. You need
at least 50% humidity, preferably a little more.
Growth
Pink Princess Philodendrons aren’t the fastest growers, but they can reach heights of over six feet and
widths of a couple feet. Fresh leaves typically begin with an olive hue and progress to a darker green hue.
They are a ‘leggy’ plant with a growth pattern similar to that of a vine or climbing plant.
Photography by Bobbi Harman
How Do You Get More Pink Leaves on Your Pink Princess Philodendron?
Remember that any color on your variegated plant’s leaf that isn’t green (e.g., pink or white) implies it
lacks chlorophyll, which it requires to eat and sustain itself.
This is why you should have a mix of green and pink leaves. Aim for a 50/50 split. To keep the pink color of
your philodendron alive, prune it back on a regular basis to encourage new variegation growth.
Trim the stem above the node, which is where new life will emerge.
Look for spots or evidence of variegation on the stems (such as pink lines or stripes), and take a cutting
from there. This will increase your chances of growing fresh pink leaves.
Aside from frequent trimming, keeping your plant happy and healthy will help it produce more pink
variegation. This includes enough bright indirect light, water when the soil is dry, loose, and aerated, and
a consistent level of around 50% humidity.
The Pink Myth
Unfortunately, the leaves do not remain pink indefinitely. The pink tint on each leaf lasts about a year
before becoming brown. You’ll have to prune it back and propagate it if you want it to grow pink again.
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