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Are you considering adding some beautiful philodendron pink princess plants to your collections this year? Are you seeking a guide on how to plant, grow and care for this plant? If you are, then we got you covered.
Philodendron pink princess which is also known as Philodendron erubescens is a rare and popular perennial houseplant with a stunning deep green leaf with a touch of pink variegation.
It’s native to Columbia and belongs to the family of Araceae or Arum family.
They tend to thrive in moist soil, exposed to bright indirect sunlight, temperature, high humidity and fertilization.
All these go a long way to improving the growth and maintenance of the pink plant. To know more about how to grow your plant as well as other relevant insights, keep reading.
How Do You Plant Your Philodendron Pink Princess?
If you are interested in growing this plant, the first thing to do is to purchase the plant. It usually comes with a bare root without any soil. It’s important to plant the bare root as soon as possible to assure its survival and productivity.
However, below are the steps for planting your philodendron Pink princess.
1. Find a large pot. If you are planning to reuse your old pot, ensure that you wash and clean it thoroughly to avoid any hidden pests and diseases from feasting on them.
2. Fill the pot with the suitable soil mix for the houseplant or you can use a homemade mixture of potting soil amended with either a coconut coir or peat moss and perlite or orchid bark. Anyone can serve. Using the polling mix will help to improve the drainage and retain enough moisture as it should be completely dried.
3. After you must have done so, water the plant thoroughly which will make room for the roots to start germinating.
4. Place the plant at a suitable spot where it will feel the radiance of the sunlight which will help the root ls to grow. Ensure that you continually keep the plant well-watered until you start noticing new growth.
Read Also: Philodendron Birkin Care Guide | 3 Best Methods To Propagate
How To Grow A Philodendron Pink Princess
Haven properly enlightened you on the ways that you can plant your philodendron pink princess.
Let’s take a quick look at how you can grow your philodendron pink princess as well as maintain the plant.
1. Sunlight
Sunlight is one of the most important elements that can help your philodendron pink princess plant to grow. However, for your plant to grow, you have to place it in a spot where it can absorb bright indirect sunlight.
They can still handle direct sunlight, especially the early morning sun in front of an east-facing window but not constantly as it can damage the color of the plant.
When your plant gets enough sunlight, it will help to retain the variegation of the plant while the latter is the opposite. So avoid keeping your plant in dark corners.
Furthermore, if you are growing your philodendron pink princess plant indoors and don’t have enough exposure to the light. You can invest in getting a grow light or LED lamp. It can help to support the low light. However, to ensure that your plant is getting enough sunlight, you can examine your plant by using a light meter.
2. Soil Type
The best type of soil for growing this plant is light, airy and well-draining potting soil that can hold enough moisture while preventing plant diseases such as root which can be caused by overwatering of the plant.
However, you can also make your own organic potting soil mix through the use of a coconut coir, perlite and orchid bark.
To make this, you must follow these instructions:
Mix two parts of potting soil with one pair of voir and one part perlite including an orchid bark. Afterwards, mix it all together and you have your organic soil potting mix.
3. Water
If you are planting growing this plant on the soil, then it must be a suitable place with the right amount.
The philodendron pink princess plant tends to be watered on the drier side at the top 2-3 inches. So, therefore, before you can water your plant, you must ensure that it has dried off completely.
Furthermore, to test whether the soil is moisturized, it is recommended that you do by leaving a soil moisture meter inside your pot or container and leave the probe a few inches down before remaining it. It will help to indicate the right time to water the plant again.
4. Temperature & Humidity Level
As a tropical specie of plant, it tends to thrive in warm temperature and high humidity. The optimal temperature level is between 65F and 85F (18 to 26 degrees Celsius) . However, avoid keeping or exposing your plant to cold weather as it can damage your plant.
Furthermore, the optimal humidity is 60% or any level above 40%. That’s to say that any humidity level below 40% isn’t advisable to place your plant. It will also cause a reduction in the growth of your plant leaves and a lack of evaporation.
If your home has low humidity, there are a few ways to improve the conditions such as misting your plant at least 2-3 times per day but not often.
You can also keep the plant on a pebble tray, invest in getting a humidifier, or place the plants together but avoid keeping them close to avoid the spread of disease.
5. Fertilizing Your Philodendron Pink Princess
Not all fertilizers are suitable for the philodendron pink princess plant. The most preferred type of fertilizer is the use of a balanced liquid fertilizer with a 5-5-5 or 10-10-10 NPK soil nutrient ratio. It is the perfect ratio for the plant.
However, the fertilizing of your philodendron pink princess plant must be done once per month or for 4-6 weeks either in the spring or the summer. Do well to follow all the instructions on the manufacturer’s label before use.
Furthermore, you must avoid using high nitrogen as it can cause the plant to grow faster which will make the new plants lack variegation.
Most important, before use, ensure that you dilute the fertilizer to half-strength and water the plant first before feeding.
6. Propagation
The propagation of the philodendron pink princess plant can be done in three different ways which include:
A. Propagation through stem cutting
B. Propagation through air layering
C. Propagation through division
However, all are suitable but still go with your choice. Let’s look at how you can propagate your philodendron pink princess plant through stem cutting.
A. Clean, sterilize and sharpen your pruner tools, water glass and gardening gloves.
B. Examine the stem and make out the nodes.
C. Cut the main stems 6 inches from the end of the stem.
D. Ensure that the cut is below the node and place the stems into a glass of water However, the lower nodes should be completely in water while the leaves pop over the water.
E. Place the cutting in a warm and bright-lit location.
F. Within 4-5 weeks, you will notice some changes such as the root development. Then you can either pot your potting mix or keep them.
G. After you must have pot the cuttings, ensure that the surround is covered with soil. You can keep the cuttings in a warm environment for 2-3 weeks
Propagation through Air Layering:
This method involves rooting the plant while it is still connected to the mother plant.
A. Selecting a healthy stem and making a small upward diagonal cut about one-third through the stem, just below a leaf node.
B. Carefully insert a toothpick or small wooden stick into the cut to keep it open, preventing the cut from closing.
C. Wrap a handful of moist sphagnum moss around the stem at the cut, covering the wound completely.
D. Enclose the moss with plastic wrap and secure it with tape or twist ties at the top and bottom, creating a sealed environment for the wound to produce roots.
E. Wait for a few weeks to see roots forming within the moss. Once a healthy root system has developed, cut the stem just below the air-layered portion and plant it in the desired potting mix.
Propagation through division:
A. Water the plant and loosen up the soil once it is moistened.
B. Take the rootball of the plant out and take away the soil slowly.
C. Divide each plant with an established root system.
D. Pot the plants in a potting mix and place them in a warm, bright place.
Read Also: Birkin Leaves Turning White [6 Causes and Fixes]
Common Problem Of Philodendrons Pink Princess Plants
Below are some of the common problems that you may encounter when dealing with a colourful flower-like philodendron pink princess plant. They include
1. Spotted Leaves
It is mainly caused by the infestations of pests and diseases such as Spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and other common pests that can all suck on the leaf and stem tissues, causing spotted discolouration and leaf distortion.
To get rid of this pest, you can apply a horticultural oil or neem oil and allow it to suffocate the pests.
2. Curling Leaves
These are the side effects of underwatering or overwatering your philodendron pink princess plant.
When there is no adequate water in the soil to keep it moist, it results in leaves of the plant deform which will result in curling or wilting.
Overwatering can also cause some effects such as root rot etc. To remedy this problem, you have to minimize the quality of water and try and expose the plant to your light
3. Browning Leaves
Brown leaf tips are often the result of a lack of humidity. However, to remedy this problem, you have to increase the humidity around your plant until it is above at least 40%.
This brown will not recede, but new leaves will not display the same problems.
4. Yellowing Leaves
Yellow leaves are one of the most common houseplant problems. It is also one of the more difficult ones to resolve as there are so many potential causes. However, when it comes to the Pink Princess Philodendron, the most likely culprit is overwatering.
Problems with the roots below the soil will show signs through the leaves above the soil. If you notice wilting yellow leaves and soft stems, leave the soil to dry out thoroughly and check the roots for signs of root rot. Watch your watering for the next few weeks and make sure the container is draining well to prevent future issues.
Yellowing leaves could also indicate a nutrient issue. If the yellow is spotty or concentrated around the veins of the leaves, there is likely a nutrient imbalance in the soil.
Repot your plant and watch your fertilizing habits to get your plant back to normal.
FAQs
1. How Do You Grow Pink Princess Philodendron Fast?
To help this slow-growing plant grow quicker you can use a high-quality liquid foilage houseplant fertilizer. These usually contain micro-nutrients such as calcium and magnesium which will help your Pink Princess stay healthy throughout the year.
2. How Do I Make My Pink Princess Pinker?
Your plan will to come pinker if you provide it with the basic requirements such as adequate light, warmth, and humidity to maintain its pink variegation. By ensuring that your plant is getting enough light, keeping it warm, and maintaining proper humidity levels, you can help bring out the pink colour in your Pink Princess plant.
3. How Long Does It Take To Grow A Pink Princess Philodendron?
Philodendron Pink Princess cuttings can take between 2 and 4 weeks to start growing roots though you will wait at least 2 inches long before transplanting your new plant into a well-draining soil mix.
Why Is This Plant So Expensive?
This plant is very expensive because it’s highly sought-after and has beautiful features to behold.
However, it’s difficult for growers to produce one with a balanced pink and green variegation, making the variation scarce and occasional.
5. What Is The Best Homemade Fertilizer For Philodendron?
Another useful homemade fertilizer that you can use is leftover eggshells.
One of the best ways to use them is to make hard-boiled eggs, saving the water for the next time your philodendron becomes thirsty. The boiled shells can then be crushed (raw shells will also work) and mixed into the soil.
Conclusion
Philodendron pink princess plant is one of the best houseplants that you can grow and maintain though it is quite difficult it is worth a trial.
However, if you have managed to grow this plant in your indoor or outdoor garden. We will love to get feedback on how the journey was and how far you must have gone or achieved.
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