According to plant experts at Ed's Plant Shop, the PPP was "discovered in the 1970s, its vivid, variegated leaves immediately garnered attention among plant collectors." The Pink Princess Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens ‘Pink Princess’) isn’t just a plant— it’s a statement piece.
Once the it-girl of the houseplant world, this blushing beauty is making a major comeback, especially among maximalist and eclectic design lovers who want to add bold, vibrant hues to their space. If you’re looking to join the Pink Princess Club (not to be confused with Pink Pony Club), you’ll need to give this rare and eye-catching plant the royal treatment—proper lighting, the right humidity, and of course, a little extra love.
With the right care, your Pink Princess will flourish, pushing out even more striking pink and red foliage that’s sure to steal the spotlight in any home. Ready to keep your plant throne-worthy? Here’s everything you need to know to help your Pink Princess Philodendron thrive!
Why Is Light Important for a Pink Princess?
One of the most important factors in caring for a Pink Princess is proper lighting. The balance of pink and green variegation in its leaves depends on consistent, bright, indirect light.
Experts at the Royal Horticultural Society explain that "the paler parts of a variegated leaf lack chlorophyll, the pigment needed to create energy for growth" through photosynthesis. Think of the pink parts of the leaf as being like little "solar panels" that don't work as well as the green ones.
How to Get the Right Light for a Pink Princess Philodendron?
Placement, the level of light, and support from a grow light can help your plant thrive, and keep that stunning, colorful variegation!
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Best Placement: Near a bright window with filtered light—east or west-facing windows are ideal.
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Avoid Direct Sun: Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little reduces variegation, making the plant revert to more green.
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Grow Light Recommendation: To encourage more pink variegation in your Pink Princess Philodendron, provide bright, indirect light, as it’s the key factor in maximizing color. If your home lacks natural light, supplement with a Soltech grow light to keep your Pink Princess thriving year-round!
I keep mine in a southwest-facing window, and it absolutely thrives there, pushing out stunning pink leaves with ease. However, if you don’t have access to that kind of natural sunlight, the Aspect™ Grow Light is a perfect solution— providing the ideal spectrum to keep your Pink Princess growing strong and producing vibrant foliage year-round.
Do I Need a Grow Light for a Pink Princess Philodendron?
An east or west facing window is the perfect natural light for a PPP. However, if your space lacks sufficient natural light, using a high-quality grow light can make all the difference.
The Aspect™ Pendant Grow Light is perfect for hanging above your Pink Princess, ensuring consistent, full-spectrum lighting that encourages upward growth. For a smaller, versatile option, the Vita™ Grow Bulb can be screwed into any standard fixture, transforming a regular lamp into a plant-friendly light source.
How Far Should a Grow Light Be Placed From My Pink Princess Philodendron?
To give your Pink Princess Philodendron the best chance at looking its best, we recommend placing a Soltech grow light about 1-2 feet above your Pink Princess to give it the consistent, full-spectrum light it needs to produce vibrant pink variegation. If your grow light is placed too far away, your plant won't be able to photosynthesize and produce the pink hues, too close and your plant's leaves may get scorched!
How Do I Properly Water My Pink Princess?
Pink Princess Philodendrons thrive in slightly moist soil, but they don’t like sitting in excess water. I wouldn't either!
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When to Water: Check the top 1-2 inches of soil—if it feels dry, it’s time to water. While a moisture meter, like this one from The Sill, isn’t necessary for every plant, it can be a helpful tool if you want extra precision!
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Avoid Overwatering: Too much water can lead to root rot, which is one of the "biggest threats to Pink Princess Philodendrons," noted by plant experts at The Spruce.
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Drainage Matters: Always use a pot with drainage holes and well-draining soil (like a mix of peat, perlite, and orchid bark).
What's the Ideal Temperature and Humidity for a Pink Princess?
The Pink Princess Philodendron is a hybrid variety of Philodendron erubescens, which is native to the tropical rainforests of South America. They love warmth and humidity, so recreating their natural rainforest conditions indoors is key to keeping them healthy and thriving. Many plant experts agree that 55% humidity is ideal for Philodendrons, helping them thrive in conditions similar to their natural habitat.
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Ideal Temperature: Keep them between 65-80°F (18-27°C)— avoid cold drafts.
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Humidity Levels: For optimal growth and vibrant variegation, aim for 50-60% humidity or higher.
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Boosting Humidity: Use a humidifier, mist occasionally, or set your plant on a pebble tray with water to maintain proper humidity. Cool mist humidifiers with large water reservoirs are especially effective for keeping indoor plants healthy and hydrated.
What's the Best Soil and Pot for a Pink Princess?
Pink Princess Philodendrons prefer light, airy soil that retains some moisture while allowing for proper drainage. Since they are climbing plants, they also benefit from sturdy support to help them grow upright and prevent them from becoming top-heavy. Many plant owners use moss poles, trellises, or stakes to encourage strong, structured growth and prevent their Pink Princess from leaning as it matures.
Image: @philodenrose
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Best Soil Mix: A blend of potting soil, orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir provides the perfect balance of moisture retention and aeration.
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When to Repot: Every 1-2 years or when roots start growing out of the drainage holes.
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Choosing a Pot: Use a pot that’s 1-2 inches larger than the current one to avoid excessive moisture retention.
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Providing Support: Consider adding a moss pole or sturdy stake to help your Pink Princess grow vertically and maintain healthy, structured growth.
How Do I Prune a Pink Princess to Encourage Variegation?
If your Pink Princess is producing more green leaves than pink, it may need pruning to encourage variegation.
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Trim Green Leaves: If too many solid green leaves appear, prune them to redirect energy to variegated growth.
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Encourage Bushy Growth: Cut above a node (small bumps on the stem) to encourage fuller, more compact growth.
Want a bit more guidance before picking up your pruning shears? Jacintha (@passthatplant) has a short and helpful video on TikTok about pruning a Pink Princess Philodendron for growth and variegation!
How do I fertilize my Pink Princess Philodendron?
To support its lush foliage and variegation, a Pink Princess Philodendron benefits from regular feeding. A balanced liquid fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) is ideal for maintaining healthy growth and vibrant foliage. There are many great plant fertilizers available, including Happy Happy Houseplant’s Plant Food, which provides essential nutrients to support strong, steady growth.
How Often Should I Fertilize My Pink Princess?
You should fertilize your Pink Princess Philodendron every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (typically, spring & summer). It's important to avoid over-fertilizing, as too much can cause leaf burn or leggy growth.
Image: The Sill
Why Are My Pink Princess's Leaves Turning Green?
If your Pink Princess's leaves are turning green, it's a sign that your plant isn't getting enough light. The beautiful pink variegation is directly tied to light exposure. Without sufficient bright, indirect light, your plant will produce more green leaves to create extra chlorophyll for photosynthesis. A quality grow light is the perfect way to maintain that vibrant color year-round.
What Does It Mean If My Pink Princess Has Yellow Leaves?
Yellowing leaves are a common sign of overwatering or poor drainage. To fix this, always check the soil moisture before watering. If the problem persists, you may need to repot it into a pot with better drainage or in a well-draining soil mix.
Why Are My Pink Princess's Leaves Scorched?
If your Pink Princess's leaves look brown and crispy, they've likely received too much direct sunlight or are too close to a grow light. The variegated parts of the leaf are especially sensitive to direct sun and can burn easily.
To prevent leaf burn, move your plant to a spot with filtered light, such as a few feet back from a sunny window or behind a sheer curtain, or move your grow light further away from your plant. We recommend a Soltech grow light be placed 1-2 feet (12-24 inches) above your Pink Princess Philodendron.
How Do I Deal with Pests on My Pink Princess?
Unfortunately, pests like spider mites and mealybugs can sometimes find their way onto your Pink Princess. To deal with these unwelcome guests, you can gently wipe the leaves with neem oil or use an insecticidal soap. Regular inspection and cleaning of the leaves will help prevent infestations and keep your plant happy and healthy.
Final Thoughts: A Rare Beauty Worth the Care
A Pink Princess Philodendron is a scroll-stopping/show-stopping plant that, with proper care, will reward you with stunning, bubblegum pink variegated leaves for years to come. By providing bright indirect light, proper watering, humidity, and occasional pruning, you can maintain its gorgeous pink hues and keep it healthy and thriving.
With the right care, and the right lighting, your Pink Princess will continue to grow strong, push out vibrant pink leaves, and remain the centerpiece of your indoor jungle!
