Philodendron Pink Princess UK Facts and Care Guide
What is the Philodendron Pink Princess and can I grow it in the UK?
Over the last few years there has been a real houseplant boom, thanks in part to unusual cultivars like the Philodendron Pink Princess. The origins of this unusual Philodendron are a bit of a mystery. Some argue that it is a unknown cross of Philodendron erubescens and others argue its a natural mutation compounded by tissue culture. Regardless of its origins this Philodendron became rightfully popular in 2019 and continues to impress. Each leaf emerges with a unique pattern with variegated foliage that reveals its pink cells under the surface.
Good news - you can grow the Philodendron Pink Princess quite easily in the UK - follow the tips below to see how
Is the Philodendron Pink Princess hard to care for in the UK?
The Philodendron Pink Princess is an eye-catching addition to any space and makes a great gift for the plant lover in your life. It's also an ideal choice for those new to houseplant care—its easy maintenance requirements make it a great starter plant. Plus, it can grow in almost any environment thanks to its ability to tolerate low light conditions.
How do I get larger leaves on a Philodendron Pink Princess?
Like most aroids, if you are looking to encourage larger leaves you will want to get this climbing up a surface, as it approaches the (manufactured) canopy the leaves will start to broaden. Alternatively the plant can be left without a pole and allowed to trail with smaller leaves.
Why does my Philodendron Pink Princess keep turning fully green or fully pink?
This is an unfortunate fact of life when it comes to unstable variegated plants, however all is not lost! If you notice fully pink or fully green leaves it may be time to chop the top of the plant off to encourage side shoots to bring back the variegation. Full pink, while pretty, lacks chlorophyll and the plant will struggle to keep these leaves alive. A quality specimen is less likely to have this issue and should have a fairly balanced mix of variegated genetics throughout its stem and nodes.
Why is it pink?
The Philodendron Pink Princess gets its signature pink hue from variegation where the plant lacks variegation. The variegated foliage contains a pigment called anthocyanin, which gives the plant its pinkish appearance. Unfortunately this means the plant cannot photosynthesise from these portions.
My Philodendron Pink Princess has stuck leaves when its emerging.
A common quirk of this plant is the strange way the leaves emerge from the cataphylls (leaf cover) giving the appearance of being stuck, avoid the temptation of helping it emerge and just spray with a little but of water. Also helps to up the humidity if this is a consistent issue.
Is the Philodendron Pink Princess toxic to cats/dogs?
Unfortunately, the Philodendron Pink Princess is considered toxic to both cats and dogs if ingested. The leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation to the mouth, throat, and stomach if consumed. If you have any pets in your home, it's best to keep them away from this plant or place it out of reach. It's also important that you regularly check your plant for any signs of damage or infestation as these can be dangerous for pets as well. As always, use caution when handling plants or gardening materials around animals!
Is the Philodendron Pink Princess easy to propagate?
This plant produces aerial roots in a ring around its main stem at each node point making it very easy to propagate. Simply chop a few cm below the aerial roots and pop into some water or moss and allow it produce terrestrial roots before replanting.
Where can I find a Philodendron Pink Princess in the UK?
Thanks to the wonders of modern science this plant is being mass produced through a process called tissue culturing. You should start to see this plant pop up in your local garden centres a lot in the near future. Make sure you keep an eye out for quality specimens as not all Philodendron Pink Princess’s are created equal!
More Philodendron Pink Princess Care facts:
Botanical Latin - Philodendron erubescens variagata
Native to - Peru/Bolivia/Brazil
Watering Requirements - When the top 2” of soil is dry it is ready to water again. Can tolerate under watering
Light Levels - Bright Indirect, will tolerate some shade.
Potting Mix - Very well draining
Min Temp - Not below 10c
Humidity - 30+%
Conclusion - Philodendron Pink Princess UK Facts and Care Guide
The Botanical Archive is here to help if you need any more advice or assistance. We are an RHS award winning Interior Plant Styling/Landscaping service dedicated to helping everyone get the most out of their indoor space so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! We provide plant consultations, interior plant styling, sourcing and installation for homes and offices!
