Pink Princess Philodendron
The Famous PPP Plant
The viral, Instagrammable houseplant with pretty pink and green leaves.
The Pink Princess Philodendron is a unique, low-maintenance tropical houseplant that has recently become the darling of the plant world. Its popularity has been fueled by social media platforms like Instagram, where influencers and plant collectors show off the plant’s unique green and pink foliage. Pink Princess has large, heart-shaped dark green leaves that are randomly streaked and sprinkled with different shades of pink, ranging in color from a pale shell pink to bright bubblegum pink to a deeper glowing magenta, giving each leaf a unique and artistic appearance. The stems of Pink Princess are a reddish-brown color, adding further visual interest to this photogenic plant. Pink Princess is also known by its botanical name, Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess’, and is sometimes referred to as the “PPP” plant.
Like other members of the Philodendron species, Pink Princess is relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for both experienced plant owners and beginners. It needs bright, indirect light to maintain the vibrant pink variegation, and water when the top third of its soil dries out. It’s easy to grow, but highly sought after and sometimes hard to find! Social media attention has increased demand for this striking plant, and hobbyists have jumped in to fill the void by selling cuttings and tissue cultures online. Major nurseries have recently joined the trend, boosting the availability of this plant - it’s now possible to buy a Pink Princess Philodendron for a reasonable price online or even at some big box retailers. Be aware of what you are buying, and if you are new and inexperienced with growing houseplants, opt for an established, container-grown plant instead of a cutting.
The Pink Princess Philodendron makes a stylish, bold statement. It is easy to grow and looks great on any brightly lit desktop, tabletop or plant shelf. Use a Pink Princess Philodendron to add a pop of color and contrast against neutral backgrounds or minimalist decor schemes. Its vibrant pink variegation stands out beautifully against white or light-colored walls. Pair your Pink Princess Philodendron with artwork or decorative elements that complement its pink and green color scheme and artistic leaves. Or, create a captivating display by grouping Pink Princess with other indoor plants of varying heights, textures, and colors to create a lush and dynamic indoor garden.
How Do I Care for a Pink Princess Philodendron?
A Pink Princess Philodendron is very easy to care for and does well as an indoor houseplant. It thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct sun will cause the leaves to scorch, and low light causes the pink variegations to fade. If you notice leaves reverting back to a dark green, move the plant to a brighter location.
Water every 1-2 weeks, when the top third of potting soil has completely dried out. Ensure the pot has drainage holes, as philodendrons prefer well-draining soil and dislike having wet roots or sitting in water. Fertilize plants monthly from spring through early fall with a balanced indoor plant fertilizer (carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
If your Pink Princess Philodendron exhibits a mushy stem or brown spots, or if the potting soil emits a foul odor, it is a sign of overwatering. Allow the soil to thoroughly dry out and reduce the frequency of your watering. If you notice drooping leaves or dry, brown leaf tips on your plant, it’s a sign of underwatering. Water your plant generously until the soil is uniformly moist and excess water begins to drain from the bottom of the pot. Increase the frequency of your watering sessions, aiming for a thorough watering every 1 - 2 weeks. If you are unsure of when to water your plant, consider using a moisture meter. A moisture meter is a handy gardening tool designed to gauge the moisture content in the soil of potted plants or outdoor garden beds. It typically consists of a probe that is inserted into the soil, with a meter that indicates the level of moisture present. This information helps you determine when it's time to water, helping to prevent overwatering or underwatering.
Pink Princess grows at a moderate to fast rate, with new leaves emerging from a protective, waxy sheath called a cataphyll. Plants can be long-lived under ideal conditions, and can grow 6+ feet tall over time. While Pink Princess Philodendrons are generally resilient plants, they can still be susceptible to certain insects and diseases like spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, bacterial blight and leaf spot.
How Do I Repot my Pink Princess Philodendron?
Pink Princess Philodendron, like all philodendrons, benefits from being repotted every few years. If you notice any of these telltale signs, it’s time to repot your plant:
Root-bound: If the roots are circling the pot's bottom or sides and have filled the entire pot, it's time to repot. You may notice roots poking out from the drainage holes.
Stunted growth: If the plant has stopped growing or its growth has significantly slowed down despite adequate care, it may need more space for its roots to spread out.
Watering issues: If the soil dries out much faster than usual or if water starts pooling on the soil surface without being absorbed, it could indicate that the roots have taken up most of the available space, leaving little room for proper water absorption.
Wilting: Wilting can be a sign of both overwatering and underwatering, but if you've ruled out watering issues and the plant continues to wilt, it may be a sign of root congestion and insufficient space for root expansion.
As a general rule of thumb, repot your Pink Princess Philodendron every 2-3 years. This time frame allows you to refresh the plant’s soil and check on the health of the roots. Here are some general guidelines for repotting:
Choose the Right Time:
Spring or early summer is typically the best time to repot most plants, including the Pink Princess Philodendron, as they are entering a period of active growth.
Gather Supplies:
Select a new pot that is slightly larger than the current one and has drainage holes.
Use a well-draining, all-purpose potting mix that is rich in organic matter.
Water the Pink Princess Philodendron:
Water the plant a day or two before repotting. This helps the soil stick together during the repotting process.
Remove the Philodendron from the Pot:
Gently tip the pot on its side and slide the plant out. If it's stuck, tap the bottom and sides of the pot to loosen the soil.
Inspect the Roots:
Check the roots for any signs of rot or disease. Trim off any dead or rotting roots using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
Prepare the New Pot:
Add a layer of fresh potting mix to the bottom of the new pot.
Place the Pink Princess Philodendron in the New Pot:
Center the plant in the new pot and add more potting mix around it, making sure the final soil level stays the same as in the previous pot. Fill in the sides with more potting mix, pressing down gently to remove air pockets.
How Big Does a Pink Princess Philodendron Grow?
The Pink Princess Philodendron is a moderate to fast growing plant, and will reach a maximum height of 6+ feet over time. Young plants are a great size for any sunny desktop, tabletop, or counter, and make a unique Zoom background idea. Older, taller Pink Princess Philodendrons can make great floor plants and will create a striking visual presence in any room. Providing the plant with the right balance of water, light, and fertilizer is essential for optimizing growth as well as overall health.
How to Keep a Pink Princess Philodendron Pink:
The pink variegation on the leaves of Pink Princess is genetic and will never change. However, maintaining and encouraging the vibrant pink hues and preventing them from fading into green requires consistent bright, indirect light. Without this type of light, the existing vibrant pink leaf variegations of Pink Princess will fade, and new leaves will emerge a darker, uniform green.
Here are some common locations where you can find bright indirect light indoors:
East, south, or west-facing windows: For bright indirect light, place plants up to 5 feet away from windows facing towards the east, south or west. Make sure the plant is located just outside of the direct rays of the sun.
Rooms with sheer curtains: Rooms with sheer curtains or blinds can diffuse direct sunlight, creating a bright, evenly lit environment that is well-suited for a Pink Princess Philodendron.
Bright corners: Some corners receive bright indirect light throughout the day, especially if they're near windows or receive reflected light from nearby surfaces.
If you prefer a more precise measurement of light intensity, you can use a light meter (also known as a lux meter) or a phone app to measure the light levels in different areas of your home.
Pink Princess vs Pink Congo Philodendron
The Pink Princess Philodendron is a man-made hybrid variety of Philodendron erubescens. It was developed in the 1970s by cross-breeding together two different types of Philodendron plants, creating an original parent plant with pink variegations that are caused by a genetic mutation. Today’s Pink Princess Philodendron plants are all genetically identical to that original parent plant from the 1970s. Each Pink Princess plant is created by a cloning process that involves taking cuttings from a mother plant and letting these cuttings take root and grow into a new, separate plant.
Pink Congo Philodendron, like Pink Princess, belongs to the Philodendron family. Pink Princess has heart-shaped, variegated leaves with splotches and streaks of pink; Pink Congo has pointy, uniformly dark green leaves. Pink Congo’s dark green leaves have been exposed to chemicals that turn them into a uniform bubblegum pink. This effect is temporary and will eventually wear off, with Pink Congo plants returning to their original, genetically predetermined dark green color. Because of the social media-induced mania for new kinds of pink plants, disreputable sellers created hype around the Pink Congo philodendron, inflating prices while concealing the temporary nature of the plant’s pink leaves. Many plant collectors and influencers were understandably upset when they paid top dollar for a plant that eventually reverted back to a plain dark green philodendron. Today, Pink Congo is still available online through a few retailers, but prices have come down and it is widely considered to be a scam.
Is the Pink Princess Philodendron Poisonous to Cats and Dogs?
Yes, the Pink Princess Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess') is toxic to both cats and dogs when ingested. It contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues when consumed. In severe cases, ingestion of the plant can lead to swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat, which can potentially cause breathing difficulties.
If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, seek immediate veterinary care. For more information, visit the ASPCA website or the Pet Poison Hotline. If you have pets in your home, opt for a non-toxic houseplants, like the Cuddly Cactus. Learn more about plants poisonous to dogs and cats in “Which Plants are Toxic to Dogs?” and “Does your Cat Eat your Houseplants?”.