15+ Philodendron Pink Princess Care Questions and Answers

The Pink Princess Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens) has a unique look. Over the last few years, it has become one of the most sought-after tropical plants on the market.

This plant is native to Columbia and is a tropical aroid in the Araceae family.

The pink leaves draw the eye in fascination, but plant care questions soon follow. Below we answer some of them. 

Variegated leaf of Philodendron Pink PrincessPin
Variegated Philodendron Pink Princess leaf | Youtube Logees

Pink Princess Philodendron Quick Care Tips

  • Botanical Name: Philodendron erubescens
  • Common Name(s): Pink Princess Philodendron
  • Synonyms: N/A
  • Pronunciation: fil-oh-DEN-dron er-yoo-BESS-kens
  • Family & Origin: Araceae family, native to Columbia
  • Growability: Easy to grow
  • Grow Zone: 10-11
  • Size: Can grow up to 4′ feet tall or more and 2′ feet wide
  • Flowering: Rarely flowers indoors
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Humidity: High humidity preferred
  • Temperature: 65° and 79° degrees Fahrenheit
  • Soil: Loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter
  • Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry
  • Fertilizer: Fertilize with thin liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks
  • Pests & Diseases: Mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scale, fungus gnats, root rot, and rust spot can be a problem
  • Propagation: Stem cuttings
  • Plant Uses: Indoor plant, decorative plant

Where Did The Pink Princess Originate?

There have been debates on the origins of the Pink Princess. It is my opinion it is a hybrid by Bob McColley of Bamboo Nurseries in Orlando, Florida, during the early 1970s. 

McColley had an extensive Philodendron breeding program and produced patented hybrids such as “Prince of Orange” and “Painted Lady.” 

As a young plant collector in the 1970s, I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Bob, where we shared “plant stories” on growing and hybridizing. 

This slow-growing, hybrid philodendron reaches 4′ feet tall or more and 2′ feet wide in maturity.

How Can You Encourage More Variegation In Pink Princess?

The best way to encourage vibrant pink colors is to provide proper lighting. Bright indirect lighting from an east or west window is good or keeps the plant under a grow light.

Bright light plays an important role in encouraging the variegation of Pink Princess.
The Princess needs a lot of light but cannot take the direct sun.

The lighting needs to be bright. A window without direct-facing sunlight in the afternoons will do best. 

The pink area of a Pink Princess leaf does not have the chlorophyll needed to produce the energy the plant needs.

If the environment does not have the right lighting or nutrients, plants will start reverting to a solid burgundy leaf. Why? The more burgundy color in the leaf, the more energy the plant produces. 

A Pink Princess in an environment with enough high light should continue to produce pink variegation.  

Also, it’s important to note that this plant rarely flowers.

What Does Philodendron Pink Princess Need Most – Bright Light Or Humidity?

The “Princess” needs a balance of bright indirect light and humidity. Remember, it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11.

Placing your “princess” close to a window may give the plant too much bright light needed to produce the beautiful pink variegation in the leaves. 

Also,  the air closest to a window lacks the humidity the plant needs.

You want to provide a bright light environment for the Pink Princess as the pink variegation does not contain the chlorophyll needed to provide energy to the plant. 

Bright lighting also needs a balance between moderate to moderately high indirect light. The ideal temperature ranges from 65° and 79° degrees Fahrenheit. 

If the location is too bright, the Pink Princess will start to lose the burgundy color in the leaves and “replace” the burgundy with an olive green color, and the pink variegation can begin to appear white. 

If you notice a more green-and-white appearance, it is either a sign of too much light or of a lack of nutrients.

Plants are much healthier and do better long-term with a half-and-half leaf or a leaf with much more speckling and smaller chunks of pink compared to an all-pink, much weaker leaf.

Related: Learn About Philodendron Moonlight Care

How Much Humidity Does Pink Princess Need?

The biggest challenge in Pink Princess care inside of your home is Humidity.

If you see new growth getting smaller or beginning to look crinkled, it is probably a sign of a lack of humidity. 
When trying to provide a more humid location, remember the plant’s lighting requirements.

A couple of options to consider: If you have a humid patio, move Pink Princess into the higher humidity location. They like humidity above 50% percent.

They do need 80% humidity, but they thrive off of air moisture. If moving your plant is not an option, mist them sparingly.

If a new leaf is not beginning to unfurl, there is no need to mist, as the leaves themselves do not need the mist.

A new leaf to show its true beauty may need a little bit more moisture, so misting can help.

Don’t mist more than once a day. Once every other day is better. Pink Princess and Philodendrons are prone to some bacteria spotting.

New leaf of Pink Princess ready to unfurl Pin

How Can I Make All The Leaves Pink?

One of the attractions of the Pink Princess, and coveted the most, is a completely pink leaf.  

I have some bad news!

The allure of all pink leaves many plant lovers desire. But, all pink leaves are not what you want. The plant will not grow well without the chlorophyll needed for sustained growth. 
You want a plant with balanced variegation

Unless your plant is growing in the ideal conditions, this plant needs:

  • A lot of bright indirect lighting
  • The right amount of fertilizer 
  • Perfect soil moisture

The full pink leaves don’t survive long-term. The leaf does not produce enough energy for the plant to survive.

If your plant goes all pink with only one plant in the pot – enjoy the leaf for a few days and then trim the leaf off.  

In the long run, an all-pink leaf will brown out, starting first at the edges. Remove the pink leaf and wait for new growth.

As new growth comes out in a month, look for a new leaf is a mixture of both burgundy and pink.

I Bought My Princess Online, and It Just Arrived But Doesn’t Look Good. What Should I Do Or Not Do?

Plants shipped through the mail can be hard on plants. There are a few things you should do and NOT do when your plant arrives.

Do’s

  • Unpack your plant
  • Remove any wrapping – paper, plastic, or foam
  • If the soil is dry – using a spray bottle of water, give the plant a drink.
  • If the plant arrives bare-root – pot up the plant in a small pot using a moist, well-drained soil mix. 3 parts peat moss and 2 parts perlite is a good basic mix. 
  • Water the plant lightly, and place it in a location with bright indirect light.

Don’t

If the plant arrives in the soil, do not repot for at least 3-4 weeks. Shipping is stressful on plants. Allow the plant some time to recover. 

Do not fertilize for at least one month. 

Small potted Philodendron Pink PrincessPin
Potted Philodendron Pink Princess | Youtube Logees

What Type Of Soil Should I Use For Potting My New Pink Princess In?

Pink Princess Philodendron needs a very porous, well-draining potting soil.

Remember, it’s an aroid that thrives in loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter.

A simple potting soil of 60% peat moss and 40% perlite is recommended by Gabriella Plants, a large grower of Pink Princess. https://www.gabriellaplants.com

My Other Philodendrons and Aroids Are Doing Well But Not My Pink Princess. Any Reason Why?

For starters, Pink Princess is an unusual variegated plant. Most Philodendrons grow well and make excellent houseplants. However, “Not Doing Well” doesn’t provide much information.

Start by looking at the care and growing conditions of the plant

  • If your plant is relatively new, give it some time to acclimate to its new home.
  • Make sure your Philodendron Pink Princess receives bright indirect lighting and humidity.
  • Check your watering schedule – DO NOT overwater.
  • Water your plant just when the top 1″ to 2″ of soil has dried out.
  • Has the plant been overfertilized? 
  • Is the plant overpotted?
  • Does the plant suffer from extremes? Dry air, hot spots as the light in the room changes

All these small items add up, especially with a slow-growing plant-like Pink Princess.

For more, check our Pink Princess article.

The Leaves On My Pink Princess Are Burning and Turning Brown. Why?

The cause of leaves burning and turning brown is usually from:

  • Exposure to too much direct sunlight (sunburn or overheating) – keep the plant in bright indirect light
  • Too much pink in the leaf does not produce the energy the plant needs.
  • Exposure to cool temperature extremes
  • Fertilizer burn – more often found when dry granular fertilizer is used
  • Fungal Disease – Examples include root rot and rust spot that results in the leaves becoming brown and slimy
  • Pests – Mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scale, and fungus gnats.

What Is The Best Fertilizer For Pink Princess?

Many plants shipped in pots will have some granular fertilizer on top or mixed in the soil. You’re probably good for 3 months before you’ll need to fertilize.

When you are ready to fertilize, Pink Princess responds well to a general-purpose liquid fertilizer like a 20-20-20. 

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NOTE: The Princess likes moist soil, but allow the potting mix to dry out between watering. 

You can also use thin liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks.

Do not let plants fertilized with a time-release fertilizer stay dry for very long periods, as salt damage can occur.

Sometimes The New Leaves On My Pink Princess Are Deformed, Small, and Even Torn. What Is The Cause?

Misshaped and deformed leaves happen from time to time. However, Philodendrons are tropical plants. The issue usually can be traced to extremes in moisture levels – humidity in the air or very dry soil.

When humidity is low, there are times when a leaf is unfurling. It may become torn as it gets “stuck” in the sheath.

Increase the humidity around the plant. Set the plant on a tray of pebbles and water, or increase the humidity with a humidifier.

If the soil is dry, water the plant thoroughly and allow the excess water to drain off.  

Taking a Pink Princess cuttingPin
Where to take a cutting of Pink Princess | Youtube Gabriella Plants

My Pink Princess Is Getting Leggy. What Should I Do?

Leggy plants are the result of the lack of light. There is even a word for it – etiolation. 

For your Pink Princess to grow best, give your plant bright indirect lighting. An east, west, or north window provides the best lighting conditions.

Move a leggy plant to a location with brighter light. If possible, consider taking a tip cutting to start a new Philodendron Pink Princess.

You can propagate your Pink Princess using stem cuttings.

Why Are The Leaves On My Pink Princess Yellowing?

Yellowing leaves are different than brown leaves. Plants display yellow leaves and lose them, usually on the lower leaves.

 If the plant arrived in the mail or via FedEx or UPS, a few yellow leaves as it is acclimating is not surprising. 

Yellow leaves are part of the process if a plant is recently repotted, divided, or propagated. 

My Pink Princess Is Losing Its Lower Leaves. Is That Normal?

Remember, the root system of a plant can only support so many leaves and foliage.

As plants age and the leaves age as well, they will turn yellow and drop off – that is normal. The lower older leaves are the first to drop. 
If the soil dries out, you can expect the lower leaves to yellow faster and drop off.

Where Can I Learn More Details About The Pink Princess Plant?

Georgia Laurette has written – The Philodendron Pink Princess Guide, where she shares the History, Care Tips, Anatomy, and More… a wonderful resource. 

For more, visit: https://www.georgialaurette.com/shop/pppguide

Where Can I Buy A Pink Princess?

The Philodendron Pink Princess is a hot commodity in the plant world, and finding one can be a challenge. 

The largest grower of Pink Princess Philodendron is – Gabriella Plants an excellent source for unusual plants. 

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