If you drop a sight of metre crop the plant side of Instagram and Pinterest , you ’re probable to come across the Philodendron ‘ pinkish Princess’—or PPP , as plant aficionados like to call it .
It ’s pretty recognisable , thanks to the fact that it ’s , well , bubblegum pink . The variegated pinkish folio have made this plant a democratic specimen for many raw gardeners , and a wide-cut pool of extension means it ’s now easier to find ( and at a more reasonable price — up until lately , a cutting would bring in upwards of $ 100 ) .
If you ’ve got your hands on one , this guide will tell you everything you need to experience to care for Philodendron ‘ Pink Princess ’ and keep the plant life healthy , happy , and yes — pink !
Disclosure : If you snitch from my article or make a purchase through one of my radio link , I may receive commissions on some of the product I advocate .
About the Pink Princess Philodendron
Origin
While Philodendron erubescens is native to Central and South America , the true origin of Philodendron ‘ Pink Princess ’ remains a mystery .
One theory is that Pink Princess is just a spontaneous chromosomal mutation of Philodendron erubescens .
Others speculate that Pink Princess was part of R.H. McColley ’s broad reproduction programme at Bamboo Nursery in Apopka , Florida , which specialized in hybridizing philodendron in the 1960s and 1970s .
Related : My Favorite Philodendron Varieties That You ’ll Love Too
However , McColley and his cooperator were meticulous in documenting their hybrid and patented every cultivar from their breeding program before introducing it to the man . McColley would ’ve claimed Pink Princess as one of his own , but no mention of the hybrid has been found in any of his scientific papers .
The late Steve Lucas , a botanist who serve on the International Aroid Society Board of Governors , also tried to trace the lineage of the singular plant . He con that a raiser in Florida claimed to have hybridized Philodendron ‘ Pink Princess ’ from at least seven parent plant ( Philodendron metal money that were crown of thorns breed to develop ‘ Pink Princess ’ ) .
However , many of the purported Philodendrons in the raiser ’s crossbreeding had no genetic capableness of hybridisation breeding with each other . In other words , the Philodendron crossing in ‘ pinkish Princess ’ were botanically unacceptable .
So , the conclusion is that whoever discovered the Pink Princess Philodendron claimed some bogus lineage , or the hybrid occurred through a self-generated but instinctive mutation .
Once the works became known , the rights to the Pink Princess Philodendron were sold to a tissue paper acculturation party and it was mass give rise .
Did you know?Due to societal medium ’s love affair with pink plants , another pink Philodendron has appeared on the scene : Pink Congo . It look very standardized to Pink Princess , but has slimly pointier leaves that are all pink , as if dip in blusher . Unfortunately , the pigment is entirely fabricated by agriculturalist . It was discovered the plants are chemically bluster in greenhouses to produce plant hormones that temporarily exchange the color of the leaf . Over metre , the pink leaves revert to green .
Description
The most immediately charming affair about the Pink Princess Philodendron is the name . It ’s even delightful in Latin : Philodendron erubescens means “ flush ” Philodendron .
Once you get a flavour at it , you’re able to see where the nickname comes from . This is n’t your distinctive Philodendron ( likePhilodendron gloriosum , another pop species ) that ’s green from folio to stem .
On the Pink Princess , spread among its glossy , heart - work , obscure unripe to black leaves , are splashes of bright garden pink .
This pink gloss is what ’s made the Pink Princess such an in - demand plant over recent years . The pigmentation is known as variegation , and it touch on to when areas of the leaf want chlorophyll .
It ’s rare to feel a plant in nature with smutty leaves , and that ’s what makes Pink Princess so alone : It ’s a sinister or nearly black Philodendron with red-hot pink diversification .
Related : Stromanthe Triostar : Easy Care Tips for This Striking Pink - Streaked Houseplant
The Pink Princess Philodendron is an evergreen vining plant from the Araceae family ( the arum ) that can grow up to 4 feet tall , but usually stays around 2 substructure when kept as a potted plant .
It has Bourgogne stems and leafstalk and aerial roots that emerge from nodes . New leaves unfurl with burgundy color ( gradually becoming motley ) or with pink and white diversification in place .
Why is the Pink Princess Philodendron so expensive?
curt answer : because it ’s rarefied .
Although Pink Princess is a cultivar of Philodendron erubescens , which is comparatively common , pink diversification in Philodendrons does n’t come about all too often on its own . To produce the dappled bubblegum - pinko pattern , the plant life must be grow from tissue paper acculturation , a slow and unpredictable process that few growers are willing to risk sentence and money in .
Not every batch will bring about pinkish coloring , even if the female parent plant is intemperately speckle with garden pink . And every new foliage that emerges may plow out solid - colored , lightly variegated , or heavily variegate , which adds to the excitation .
Like a dead on target princess , PPP maintain you approximate as to what she ’ll do next !
This mentally ill variegation , coupled with increase requirement from social media , stand for Leontyne Price for this pink beauty remained gamey for a long while , though that ’s set off to shift now . If you ’re patient and persistent , you could often find a Pink Princess cutting or plant for much less than it retail for a year or two ago .
Pink Princess Philodendron varieties
The dazzle variegation of Pink Princess has created huge need for the houseplant and inspired growers to breed new cultivars , produce interesting newfangled patterns and colors .
It ’s significant to note that the Pink Princess Philodendron has born variation in its pink and white design . Sometimes these specimen are given false cultivar names and sold at a agio for being “ rare ” cultivars , so always be aware of what you ’re buy .
Where to corrupt Philodendron ‘ Pink Princess ’ :
Caring for the Pink Princess Philodendron
Light and temperature
To understand what kind of light and temperature the Pink Princess Philodendron prefers , think of where its female parent plant ( Philodendron erubuscens ) of course get : in the lush , tropical rain forest of Central and South America , where the mounting plant is part of the understory .
That means it necessitate bright , collateral brightness , which mimics the dappled Lord’s Day it would experience under the rainforest canopy . At home , the best place for the Pink Princess Philodendron is in front of an east- or Dame Rebecca West - face windowpane . This will allow it to see bright sun for several hours a day and spend the eternal rest of the time in ghost .
With its unparalleled color , this plant wo n’t be afraid to tell you whether it ’s receive enough ( or too much ) light .
If there ’s too much sunlight , the blackish leaves will turn fleeceable and the pinkish variegation will turn white . Extended menstruum in unmediated sun can also blacken the leafage .
If there ’s too little sunshine , your Pink Princess Philodendron can lose its variegation by pushing out young green leaves , which are capable to capture more light .
Temperature - wise , the plant is happiest between 60 ° fluorine and 85 ° degree Fahrenheit . It can survive temperature as modest as 55 ℉ , but this should n’t be sustained as it can do your plant to terminate grow altogether .
Despite its love of warmth , the Pink Princess Philodendron does n’t wish extreme temperature on either end . Avoid placing the plant next to an A / cytosine social unit or near a fireplace , heating vent , or other heating element .
A good rule of ovolo is ifyoufeel comfortable , then your flora will too .
Water and humidity
While the Pink Princess Philodendron is fairly adaptable , there ’s one matter it ca n’t stand : being improperly watered .
Many people err on the side of overwatering since they bear tropic plant like more wet , but as a mounting plant , your Pink Princess Philodendron can actually tolerate short full point of sobriety .
Let your plant part dry out out before giving it a dear , abstruse watering . To check the soil , merely use the finger exam : If the top 2 inch finger dry , it ’s time to pee . Pour water over the plant munificently until it flows freely out the drainage hollow .
Never countenance the plant sit down in put up water , as this can lead to stem rot , vote out your beautiful ( and expensive ) Pink Princess .
How often you have to water will bet on the luminosity , temperature , and humidness in your home . In summertime , keep the soil slightly moist . In winter , reduce watering so the land does n’t get waterlogged .
Humidity is where many owner of the Pink Princess Philodendron start to struggle . This is an arum from a tropical environment and it need a great deal of humidness , much like other darling houseplants from the Araceae family ( likePhilodendron ‘ Birkin’,Anthurium andraeanum , genus Syngonium podophyllum , andAlocasia x amazonica ‘ Polly ’ ) .
In the house , humidity levels should be above 50 per centum . Not certain where yours are at?This is the digital hygrometerI usage and advocate .
Most people do n’t survive in this moist of a mood ( especially in wintertime when the passion is on ) , but there are some relatively simple fixes to increase the humidity in your base :
Soil and planting
Most aroids prefer loose , loyal - draining , nutrient - rich stain mixes .
you could buy a specialty soil mixlike this onethat ’s formulated for Philodendrons , though personally , I ’d add a handful of perlite to ensure the premix is well oxygenize .
If you care things a little more hands - on , however , you may well create your own arum mixture . You need a good balance of moisture retention and aeration , and I use this simple formula for remembering how to make it : 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 .
That means 4 role orchid bark , 3 part houseplantpotting soil , 2 parts coco coir , and 1 partperlite . ( A part is any unit of measurement , such as a handful , a scoop , a bucket , or a congius . )
Just mix these fixings together for a well - round off Philodendron potting dirt that you may use for other aroids , too .
Recommended Cartesian product for Philodendron ‘ Pink Princess ’ plant life care :
Fertilizing
Despite its name , Pink Princess is n’t too fussy about plant food . It typically does n’t demand any plant intellectual nourishment but can profit from an occasional provender during its growing time of year .
Use a balanced liquid plant food in a diluted absorption ( half - dose is what I train for ) once a calendar month , and never fertilize when your industrial plant looks punctuate .
Before you fertilise , verify to water the plant well so the plant food travel all through the soil mix and does n’t sit in one place .
Only fertilize between March and October when your Pink Princess Philodendron is actively growing . The works check growth over winter , so it wo n’t benefit from a feed .
Recommended fertilizers for Philodendron ‘ Pink Princess ’ :
Pruning
Although the Pink Princess Philodendron has vining tendency , it can easily be made more bushy with right pruning .
you’re able to encourage raw growth power point by reduce the stem in between nodes . ( A node is a small blow where each leaf satisfy the stem or vine . ) The good metre to prune is in spring , right before it starts to grow again .
you could also prune your Pink Princess Philodendron to maintain balanced variegation .
For example , if the top leaves on your flora are all gullible or all pink but you prefer a more speckled pattern , find the most evenly variegate foliage and make out right above its node . Pruning above your chosen leafage encourages the new leaf to mimic the pigment radiation diagram of the leaf below it .
Dividing or repotting
When young , the Pink Princess Philodendron can grow quickly ( averaging one new leaf every month ) and needs to be repot once a year . As the plant long time , repot every two to three eld is okay .
When choosing an initial pot , check that you leave some way for the roots to grow . Measure the root ball , then find a pot that ’s 2 inches larger in both breadth and height .
pick out a quite a little with good drain holes , or do what I wish to do : pot up the plant in a plastic container with drain holes , then place it in a larger decorative pot .
Water the plant exhaustively before repot to cut back stress . Every time you repot , the next pot should be a size up ( or approximately 2 inch larger all around ) .
If your plant is get under one’s skin too unwieldy or you do n’t want such a large plant life , you may carve up it and repot item-by-item section ( which I ’ll cover below in the part on propagation ) .
Propagating the Pink Princess Philodendron
With the Pink Princess Philodendron being so desired , you ’re likely to have friends clamour for a piece of it . fortunately , the plant is very well-fixed to distribute through cuttings or sectionalization ( though the amount and type of variegation is never guaranteed ) .
Cutting method for propagating Pink Princess Philodendron
Division method for propagating Philodendron Pink Princess
Pink Princess Philodendron seeds
If you ’re contend with generation , you might be tempted by growers sell Pink Princess Philodendron germ . Do n’t corrupt them !
The seed might grow into new plants , but they wo n’t grow into a Pink Princess . Instead , they ’ll just be leafy green — and by all odds not deserving the money .
The diversification in a Pink Princess Philodendron is an precarious genetic mutation that occurs randomly . A dependably variegated works can only be disseminate by thinning from a female parent flora .
Pests and diseases
Your Pink Princess Philodendron is n’t affected by many pest or disease . Keep an oculus out foraphidsor mealybugs , which might attack the leaves . These pests can be controlled organically with ahomemade insecticidal grievous bodily harm , or simply by cutting off affected leaves .
One thing you do take to look out for is lamentable , wilt leaves . These often pass off when conditions are n’t quite right . If spotted in time , you should be able-bodied to keep your pinkish Princess salubrious by line up your watering ( the reason is commonly overwatering ) , adjusting the amount of sunlight , or increase humidity grade .
Common questions about the Pink Princess Philodendron
How do I get pink leaves on the Pink Princess Philodendron?
If you ’ve pay a pretty centime for a Philodendron Pink Princess , then you require to see those mythological pink leaves ! To accomplish this , you need to get the light levels just right .
The Pink Princess needs lustrous indirect light for around 6 hr every day . This mime the mottled Light Within of its natural rain forest home ground .
As adorable as the garden pink is , however , not all the leave should be this color . Instead , you should aim for an even diversification — green and pink , mix together . Pink leaves want chlorophyl , so they ca n’t absorb luminance and nutrients as well as unripened leaves .
A Philodendron with all pinkish leaf is unhealthy and will die eventually . If too much pinkish starts taking over , prune back the leaves to advance diversification .
Is the Pink Congo the same as the Pink Princess Philodendron?
No , the Pink Congo Philodendron isnotthe same as the Pink Princess Philodendron . And it ’s not worth buying , as unscrupulous sellers may ask hundreds of dollar for what ’s really an ordinary Philodendron .
It ’s believed the Pink Congo houseplant is chemically blow in greenhouses to produce a plant hormone that temporarily switch the color of the leaves . The low-down leaves are typically all green , but the top leaves are all pinkish . As they grow , however , they ’ll revert to super C .
Some sellers hear to pass off a Pink Congo as a Pink Princess , so be alert . you’re able to tell them apart by the Pink Congo ’s lack of variegation .
The Pink Princess has leave-taking that are a mix of pinkish and dark-green . On the Pink Congo , foliage are fully pink .
Is the Pink Princess Philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?
alas , all Philodendrons ( admit Pink Princess ) are toxic to favorite . The industrial plant sap contain Ca oxalate crystals that may be vex to pelt on contact .
If the works is have , it could stimulate tum pain , diarrhea , swelling of the tongue , and in extreme situations , difficultness swallowing or breathing .
View the Web Story onPink Princess Philodendron industrial plant care .
