Pink Princess Philodendron

Pink Princess Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess') is the plant collectors chase for its near black leaves splashed with clear pink. It climbs, so on a moss pole indoors it reaches about 1.5m tall on an 80cm footprint over a few years. The variegation varies leaf by leaf and plant by plant, which is exactly why no two are the same.

Why you'll love it

• Colour you cannot get elsewhere. Deep green, almost black leaves marked with pink, in a pattern unique to each plant.
• It climbs, so it stays narrow. Given a moss pole it grows upward to around 1.5m without spreading across a room.
• Straightforward indoor care. Bright indirect light, a weekly water in summer and a warm room is the whole routine.
• Easy to propagate. Any stem cutting with a node roots readily, so one plant eventually becomes several.

Where it works best

Indoors. A bright room out of direct sun, ideally somewhere warm and a little humid such as a well lit bathroom. Inside, your climate stops mattering with a plant this frost tender.

Pots and feature planting. A pot 250mm to 300mm wide with a moss pole gives it something to climb. Outdoors it is only reliable in frost free tropical and subtropical gardens, in shade under a canopy.

One caution: all parts are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed and the sap irritates skin, so keep it well out of reach in a home with pets.

Growing Pink Princess Philodendron in Australia

Position and light. Bright indirect light is what holds the pink. Too little and new leaves come through plain green; direct sun scorches them. A metre back from an east or north facing window is usually right.

Soil. A chunky aroid mix: quality potting mix with bark, perlite and a little coir. The roots need air as much as water, and a dense mix is the most common reason these plants decline.

Water and feed. Water when the top 3cm to 4cm dries out, roughly weekly in summer and fortnightly in winter, and always empty the saucer. Feed monthly at half strength through spring and summer.

Pruning and variegation. Cut back to a node above a well marked leaf, since new growth tends to follow the leaf below it. Remove any leaf that comes through fully pink, because it carries no chlorophyll and will brown off.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in three sizes: 125mm in packs of ten, 200mm in packs of six and single 300mm plants. Smaller plants are young, with two or three leaves and less pink, and variegation generally increases as the plant matures and climbs. A 300mm plant is already established.

The amount of pink varies between plants, so we cannot promise a particular pattern. Allow two to three weeks of adjustment before new growth appears, and keep it out of draughts in that period. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the philodendron care guide for light, watering and pole detail.
• Browse the wider indoor plant range.
• Compare other variegated plants.
• See more exotic and rare plants.

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Philodendrons are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, bringing on mouth irritation and drooling, so keep this one on a shelf well clear of pets.

Why are my new leaves all green?

Usually light. Move it to a brighter indirect position, then prune back to a node above a well variegated leaf and let it regrow from there.

Should I keep a completely pink leaf?

No. A leaf with no green cannot photosynthesise, so it browns off while drawing resources from the plant. Cut it away and let the plant put its energy into balanced growth.