Pink Princess Philodendron: 9 Signs To Look For (Plant Care Guide)

It has iconic heart-shaped leaves featuring pink variegation that is rare to find in other plants.

You can play around with various colors to suit your style, from the Pink and Green philodendron, Variegated Pink Princess Philodendron, to the White Pink Princess Philodendron.

The internet is going crazy about the Pink Princess Philodendron, but be careful not to buy the Pink Congo. The latter looks the same, but the difference is that it reverts to an entirely green color, which you want to avoid.

So, what does the Pink Princess Philodendron look like?⁶

How To Identify Pink Princess Philodendron

Where does the name Pink Princess come from?

You will assume that it comes from the hue of its leaves, which makes a lot of sense. The plant can easily be distinguished by its glossy, green-purplish leaves with intricate pink patches, which is the first thing you notice, and, as expected, its major selling point.

(Image: Cliff¹¹)

This magnificent multiple coloration, otherwise called variegation by scientists, makes the plant rare, and the cost only proves that. You will likely not find it outdoors, growing in the wild, because it is quite particular about its conditions.

It is understandable why it thrives best as an indoor decor plant where the colors can be fully displayed, usually reaching 2 feet high.¹

If you have trouble finding a plant with pink leaves, you don’t have to look any further. The Pink Magnolia Tree and Dogwood Tree are excellent examples of why everyone needs a pink garden in and around their home.

The good news is that each tree comes in various shapes and sizes, like Willow Tree species, and is still as iconic.

Pink Princess Philodendron Leaves

Wondering what the Pink Princess’ best feature is, easy, the leaves are the best part and probably the only reason why people buy it.

The leaves are the first parts you see, and as any other gardener or plant lover, you want to tap into this aesthetic aspect.

(Image: Laura Blanchard¹²)

It is unlike any other Philodendron you will bump into because its leaves are variegated due to poor chlorophyll formation. What should be the plant’s greatest flaw becomes one of its most impressive assets.

The pink and white contrast impeccably with the glossy purple-green background on most of the leaves. Each leaf can reach about 9 by 5 inches, which is not bad for an indoor plant, especially if you love massive monstera leaves.

Pink Princess Philodendron Flower

Before buying the plant, you may conclude from your online search that the plant doesn’t flower; all you see are stunning colorful leaves. This notion is partly true because the plant mostly boasts of its leaves, not the tiny flowers it produces.

Besides, it may bloom in the wild, but it is rare when the plant grows indoors.

It blooms in spring like any other plants, showing green or white flowers. Unfortunately, they are not the most anticipated aspects compared to the leaves because they grow small and are less conspicuous.

You probably won’t be looking forward to them. Why would you when you are more interested in the leaves and keeping them variegated? Like the Chocolate Mimosa Tree, the foliage color is the most crucial aspect.

It is also the main reason you would want to plant it, not the flowers, unlike growers of the Stargazer Lily who cherish their stunning blooms.

Pink Princess Philodendron Seeds

One warranted question that potential owners ask is, can you plant Pink Princess Philodendron seeds?

The truth is, it can happen, but it is a painful, near-impossible task. It is futile to buy the seeds online for planting.

There is a very slim chance of success.

The seeds are medium-sized, white, and kidney-shaped, appearing only when the plant successfully fruits. If you are confident of your green thumb and want to give it a try, be warned that it will likely not germinate.⁷

Even if it miraculously does, there is no guarantee that you won’t end up with a plain green philodendron. You would rather not waste your time or money trying.

Pink Princess Philodendron Facts

The Pink Princess is a rare plant type, and it is understandable if you don’t have a lot of information about it. Before your cherished Pink Princess Philodendron is planted, you may want to know these cool facts about it.

1. It is a rare perennial plant.
2. It is native to the southern parts of America, Colombia to be specific.
3. It is one of the priciest plants to own, usually retailing at around $100 (quite a lot for a small indoor plant, but the results are worth it)
4. Many cannot tell it apart from the Pink Congo Plant, but the latter is infamous for reverting to an all-green shade, losing the variegated look.
5. In a surprising twist, the plant loses its pink color when the sunlight is insufficient, a color that forms due to insufficient chlorophyll formation.

Pink Princess Philodendron Care: 9 Signs To Guide Growers

If you have failed growing indoor trees or plants a few times and are looking for one that you can’t possibly kill, perhaps consider the Pink Princess Philodendron.

It is effortless to handle and care for, with more emphasis on keeping the leaves variegated.

(Image: feey¹³)

For that reason, here are the best growing conditions for Pink Princess Philodendron.

1. Watering Needs for Princess Philodendron

Luckily, the watering needs for Pink Princess Philodendron plants are not special. In fact, you are likely to water it, not underwater it, so relax a bit on the TLC.

If you want to do it right, let the top surface dry out before your next watering.⁵

If not, waterlogging the soil offers a perfect breeding ground for root rot, which, if you are an avid farmer, know how catastrophic it is.

2. Light Requirements for the Princess Philodendron

You are a keen plant parent. You know that it is growing indoors, and you are concerned about how much sunlight does Pink Princess Philodendron need each day.

The spot has got to be well-lit, where the pot can enjoy up to six sunlight hours daily.

It would be unfortunate to deprive it of the sun because the result would be variegation loss. Some careful owners go a step ahead to buy indoor grow lights as supplements, which proves to be a worthy investment.

3. Best Soil for the Princess Philodendron

The Pink Princess Philodendron soil requirements are similar to typical indoor plants.

Basically, they love well-draining, aerated and fertile soils, and you can add perlite to the potting mix.

4. Ideal Temperature for the Princess Philodendron

Being a Colombian native automatically implies your plant’s preferences.⁸ You want to replicate the warm, humid conditions to make it feel like home and grow stress-free.

Temperature range of 65-79 degrees (F) will do, but avoid the lethal under 60-degree readings.

How To Grow a Philodendron Pink Princess Plant

The Pink Princess Philodendron is a gorgeous plant, and who wouldn’t want to grow it and keep staring at its pink and purple-green leaves?

The problem is, what if you don’t have a green thumb? How sure are you that the plant will last that long?

The good thing is, here is a compilation of the most effective planting tips for Pink Princess Philodendron.

5. Growing Pink Princess Philodendron From a Seed

As tempting as salesmen online can get, don’t buy Pink Princess seeds. They may be cheaper than growing a Pink Princess Philodendron from a seedling, but they are not worth the hassle.

Not only are they a headache to wait until germination, but they are also nearly impossible to grow into variegated Philodendrons.

What you get is a lot of time wasted for them to grow and a tree that will only revert to its parental green color.

6. Growing a Pink Princess Philodendron From a Cutting

If you don’t want to take the chance, getting a PPP cutting from a mother plant is a better shot.

Pink Princess Philodendron propagation is not as daunting as it first seems, and the consolation is that at least you are sure of the magnificent leaf colors.

What do you need? Only 6 inches of cuttings from the parent plant (make sure it is a quarter inch under the node) and a glass of water for immersion.² You don’t have to worry about it not growing as long as you place it in a warm, well-lit spot.

Come back in 4-5 weeks to check for root sprouting, after which it is safe to plant them in a potting mix.

And that is it! You are done successfully planting your pink princess.

Instead of waiting for germination for ages, growth should start within a very short time.

7. How Far Apart To Plant Pink Princess Philodendron

One thing you will notice among Pink Princess owners is that they choose to grow one plant per planter. They wouldn’t want to cramp many of them in one place; who would with such a pricey and delicate tree?

It goes without saying that spacing is never an issue with the Philodendron; the only takeaway is that the pot should be spacious enough. But still, if you are looking to plant outdoors (which is not an excellent choice because of the plant’s sensitive nature), a 10-inch space between each tree will do.

8. How Long It Takes To Grow Pink Princess Philodendron

You can’t hide your excitement when planting one of the most magnificent indoor plants and are probably wondering how fast do Pink Princess Philodendron grow.⁹ Unfortunately, the Pink Princess Philodendron is not one of the fastest growers of its family.

It usually grows below the 5-foot mark and stays relatively short as an indoor plant. Understandably, it is never in a hurry to reach impressive heights, and you will likely register a small growth within months.

If it stays the same for a long time, then it means that there are issues with sunlight. If you want it to grow taller than its counterparts, maybe find a Pink Princess Philodendron moss pole.

As a natural climber, it will get taller as it winds itself around the support.³

9. When To Plant Pink Princess Philodendron for the Best Yield

Whether you are a farmer or planting a few Pink Princess Philodendrons for house decor, there is no point unless you are certain of maximum yield. You don’t want to compromise and would rather plant outdoors during spring when the air is warmer and the weather kinder to plants.

The best part about planting indoors?

You can do it anytime, all year round. The conditions in the house are relatively friendlier, and you don’t have to battle with harsh frostbite or scorching sun rays.

The trick is to own a grow light for the colder seasons and place the planter properly under a window when the sun comes out.

Pink Princess Philodendron Growing Zone

Many forget to check the growing zones for Pink Princess Philodendron (where to grow your plant for best results) before planting. Imagine heavily investing in several of them, only to find out that they are not ideal for growing in your region.

Another shocking bit of information is that the Pink Princess Philodendron is not a resilient plant. Whereas other indoor plants can thrive under various environmental conditions, it is quite particular.

It will only thrive in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, which is such a narrow temperature range. It goes on to show why it is mostly planted as an indoor plant, not in the outdoors, where it is more difficult to control the temperature fluctuations.

The Best Companion Plants for the Pink Princess Philodendron

Obviously, you love ornamental plans, telling by how the Pink Princess Philodendron is a favorite. The only thing better than using a plant as decor is knowing how to perfectly pair it with others.

The best companion plants for growing Pink Princess Philodendron are virtually anything!

(Image: Engin Akyurt¹⁴)

It blends nicely with Palm Trees, Purple Leaf Plum Tree, Heliconia, Birds of Paradise, Pentas, Croton, and Variegated Arboricola. You can plant the Pink Princess together with its companions indoors, on decks, along walkways, and anywhere else where you want to enjoy the beautiful sight.

Common Pink Princess Philodendron Pests

Like any other indoor plant, your Pink Princess Philodendron is not immune to pests that attack indoor trees.¹⁰ The common pests of the Pink Princess Philodendron include spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scale.

You should be extra careful with those that bite and suck the juices off the leaves because no one wants to end up with a plant with ruined leaves. You will be forced to cut off the affected leaves to manage the spreading or use pesticides to kill the attackers.

Alternatively, if you pride yourself as an eco-conscious plant parent, you can go for natural pest control for Pink Princess Philodendron, which comprises dish soap, neem oil, water, and other natural insect repellents.

Pink Princess Philodendron Diseases

Before emotionally and physically investing in a Pink Princess Philodendron, you want to know the kind of problems to expect. Tropical plants like this are constantly under threat if there are irregularities in the temperature, moisture, and humidity levels.⁴

You would hate to deal with browning leaves that ruin the plant’s aesthetics. This usually happens when the sun is too hot for your plant to bear or when it is generally neglected.

Burn spots may show up on the leaf surface, which will call for chopping off of the affected leaf.

You should also be on the lookout for wilting leaves and other signs of stress, which are likely synonymous with root rot, which is the leading cause of the death of tropical plants.

Philodendron Pink Princess vs Pink Congo, What Is the Difference?

The two may look the same, but the Pink Congo, later on, reverts to a neutral green color, losing its variegated features. The best way to tell them apart is by their pink pigmentation.

If what you are holding has pink and green leaves, it is an original Pink Princess, but if the leaves are entirely pink, it is only a Pink Congo.

Is the Pink Princess Philodendron Toxic to Pets?

Another aspect that many are unaware of about the Pink Princess is that it is toxic to animals when ingested. It causes various side effects, from foaming to skin irritation and swelling.

(Image: feey¹⁵)

You want to be careful if you have pets at home and plant them where they cannot access them easily.

Pink Princess Philodendron Disease Prevention

You will do anything in the interest of your plant to keep it safe from diseases. If you are keen on how to stop Pink Princess Philodendron disease, it starts with easing up on the love.

A common mistake new plant parents make is overwatering. Daily watering when the soil is still wet does more harm than good and may be fatal since it creates a perfect spot for root rot.

Others kill their plants by burning them under the sun, which causes leaf spots and burn marks. It is true that the leaves are more vibrant when exposed to the sun, but it doesn’t mean that you leave them in the sweltering sun the entire day.

Another way to guard your plant is to grow it in loose, well-draining, and fertile soil. The minerals will boost its defenses and give it a better chance of fighting diseases.

You should also watch out for affected plant parts and prune them before they transfer to the rest of the trees.

Plant owners are careful to pick the most stunning and easy maintenance varieties that will look their best, even without round-the-clock care. The Pink Princess Philodendron ticks all your boxes.

Everyone knows it for its purple-green and pink leaves, which unfortunately makes it more expensive. Its rarity and difficulty in planting seeds also increase its price point.

The best thing is that the plant is worth every penny.

You get a gorgeous species for your indoor and outdoor decor, and it is difficult to kill, which is a huge plus for many plant parents. Confidently, you can now throw all the doubts you had before out the window and ask your nearest nursery for the stunning Pink Princess Philodendron.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pink Princess Philodendron