Are you having problems growing your Philodendron Pink Princess? Are you nervous that your precious plant is going to die? These plants are difficult to find and have gotten very expensive, so it is important to understand how to save your plant!
I've compiled all the main problems that people have asked me about concerning their Pink Princess. Let's get to it!
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Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions and Problems
1. How can I encourage more variegation in my plants?
Growing your plant in proper light is the best thing that you can do to encourage the beautiful pink coloration in the leaves.
This means it absolutely must be in front of a window, unless you have it growing under a grow light.
A bit of direct sun will be great, but it should not sit in too much direct sun. Eastern or Western exposure windows will work well, as well as most Northern windows.
Not all windows are created equal however, so you'll have to experiment. Avoid too much direct sun or the leaves may scorch and the color will wash out.
If your plant has reverted to mostly green leaves, you will need to prune your plant before it's too late and the plant produces nothing but green leaves. Simply prune your plant back to the last leaf that has balanced variegation.
The plant will grow back, hopefully with more balanced variegation.
2. How can I get all pink leaves?
Everyone's dream is to have all pink leaves, but the fact is that you really don't want your plant to have all pink leaves! Sure, it can be a treat, but the plant can not sustain it.
Leaves that are all pink (or all white in many other variegated plants) don't have any chlorophyll that's needed to sustain the leaf, so it won't last as long as a leaf with balanced variegation. Eventually your all pink leaf will be "disposed" of by the plant.
If you do get all pink leaves, you actually want to prune those out. You can enjoy them for a while, but the plant can not sustain such growth. Similar to point #1 above where I talked about pruning all green leaves, you'll want to prune your all pink leaves out.
Prune the vine back to a leaf that has balanced variegation. This will encourage new growth with more of a balance in variegation.
3. My plant just came in the mail recently and it doesn't look so good. How can I save it?
Variegated plants are just not as vigorous as non-variegated plants, and time spent in shipping can be hard on any plant! There are a few things that you should do and NOT do when you first receive your plant in the mail.
Your plant will go through a transition period so there are a few things to keep in mind.
DOs
Unpack your plant as soon as you receive it and remove anything it was packaged in (any plastic wrap, packing paper, etc.)
Feel the soil of your plant. If it is dry, be sure to give it some water.
Place your plant by a window, but away from any direct sun for at least a couple weeks.
If you've received your plant bare root, pot your plant up in a good well-drained potting soil, give it some water, and place your plant in indirect light as described in the point above.
DONTs
Don't repot right away! Wait at least 1 month before repotting. Your plant is already stressed from being shipped in the mail, so you will be making matters much worse if you repot right away.
For the same reason, don't fertilize for at least a month.
4. All my other Philodendrons are happy except for my Pink Princess. Why?
The Philodendron genus as a whole is a happy-go-lucky genus of houseplants. Most make wonderful houseplants indoors.
Variegated plants, which have less chlorophyll, are just less vigorous growers than their non-variegated counterparts. It is absolutely normal for your Pink Princess to grow slower and not be as vigorous as your other Philodendrons.
Be sure to give your plants good light and regular fertilizer during the growing season. My favorite houseplant fertilizer is Dyna-Gro Grow, available on Amazon. It is truly amazing!
5. My pink leaves are starting to burn brown. Why?
This can be caused by a variety of reasons. If there is any deficiency in plant culture, the variegated leaves can turn brown.
Brown leaves can be cause by scorching from too much direct sun, from very dry air (keep your plant away from heating vents), from the soil drying out completely, or from improper watering (too much or too little).
If you have your plant in a pot that is much too big for the root system, the soil will take a long time to dry out and this can also cause brown spots on the leaves.
It is also normal for highly pink leaves to eventually turn brown because the plant can't sustain them for too long.
6. Why are my leaves curling under?
Improper watering is most likely to blame. When you water, you should water thoroughly until water escapes the drainage hole. Then wait until the top inch or two dries out (depending on the size of the pot).
People are SO scared of overwatering, and this term doesn't mean what most people think it means!
At the same time, you want to have your plant in good light as described earlier in this post or in my Pink Princess care post.
Take note of only repotting your plant in the next pot size up from the size that it's currently in. Don't be tempted to repot into a pot that is much bigger, otherwise you run the risk of having the soil taking too long to dry out. This could cause your leaves to curl and also get brown spots.
7. Why are my my new leaves small, misshapen and sometimes torn?
Extremes in moisture and/or not enough light are likely to blame for misshapen leaves.
If your new leaves are growing much smaller than the old leaves, it probably means that your plant is growing in less than ideal conditions.
Ensure that your plant is growing in appropriate light (as close to a window as possible!), and that you are regularly fertilizing with a great fertilizer such as Dyna-Gro Grow. These will promote good, healthy growth!
8. My plant is leggy. What should I do with it?
You are likely not giving your plant enough light. Be sure that it is in front of a window (North, East, or West is best). Within a foot or so for best growth! I can't emphasize this enough.
If you can't stand the look of your plant, take the opportunity to prune your plant back and propagate your plant. Once you move your plant to brighter light, it will grow back sturdier than ever before.
There are numerous reasons why houseplant leaves turn yellow. If you just received your plant in the mail, don't be surprised if your plant gets a yellow leaf or two. Be sure to follow the tips in point #3 to transition your plant to your home.
10. Is it normal for my plant to shed its lower leaves?
No leaves will last forever. Eventually plants will shed some leaves, and the lower ones are often the first to go. It doesn't necessarily mean that anything is wrong.
That being said, if you allow your soil to go completely dry, often times the lowest leaves can quickly turn yellow and fall off.
11. I can't seem to find a Pink Princess! Where can I get one?
Remember, to grow a beautiful houseplant, you have to have the right combination of LIGHT, proper watering practices, a well-drained soil, proper sized pot, and regular fertilization for best results!
I've had my pink princess for a few months, maybe 4. It has lots of pink variegation and marbling on some leaves and is putting out new leaves often. However, the new leaves are much smaller and tend to turn under. Also, there are lots of tiny leaves and stems underneath the larger ones. Should I remove the tiny leaves and stems and just keep the 3 or 4 main ones?
My white knight is basically doing the same thing. I have them potted in a very chunky mix and in a south window on pebble trays!! Thanks for your help. My Pink princess is one of the prettiest I have seen and I want it to thrive!!
I would leave all the leaves. Variegated plants are already at a disadvantage since they have less chlorophyll. Are you fertilizing? Is your pink princess in front of a southern-facing window too? Where do you live?
My PPP has looked great then she had thinner leaves and looked bad. Checked the roots, good, but soil was a bit too damp so I repotted in dry soil and gave minimal water. I am worried! 2 more droopy leaves today. Husband paid a lot for this plant at mother's day so help me!
It's hard to say without knowing more about your plant's growing environment. I do have to say that a lot of people get scared to water, so much so that they end up drying out the soil too much. I've seen this time and time again. If you'd like to send me a message through my contact form with care details, and when I respond, you can attach photos. I'll try and help! Please include all care information like: light (how far is your plant from a window? what exposure? or is it under grow lights?), how you determine when to water and HOW you water, etc.
I ordered a pink princess online and by the time I got it most of the little leaves have dried up and I've cut off. now it's just the stem, which I've been told will be fine as it seems to have a node or two still. But I'm scared! Will it survive?
Hi! I have a very healthy PP but unfortunately I was very stupid and was easing the node of the new growth out of the sheath and it snapped (in two different places!) I feel so dumb. This PP is my first expensive plant I’ve bought and I’m terrified I just killed any chance for new growth forever. It has about five leaves and that would’ve been the place for the sixth but I was impatient and stupid. I really don’t know what to do. Should I chop and prop?
Hi, I got a PPP that had barely any pink on the leaves and I noticed some white. The plant sat in a southern window a few feet back but then I noticed the lighter spot on one leaf turned brown so I had thought it received too much light so I moved it to a west facing window. I throughly watered the plant because it was dry when I purchased. Now, I found a yellow leaf and it just unfurled a leaf that is a dark burgundy. Any advice on this? I’m not sure if I should prune or not. Thank you!
Hi Theresa! I'd need more details to help. But the dark burgundy is not unusual. I have one in my greenhouse that is doing the same thing and there is plenty of light in there. These are quite finicky plants. How long have you had your plant?
My PPP was an Etsy purchase approximately 11 months ago. One leave rooted in moss. Upon receiving it, it was placed in a humidity box where it lived for 3 months. Planted in aroid mix in terra cotta and it has grown quite a bit. Two problems, first- it has developed 3 stems and each stem has a leaf node no more then 3/4 inches above the previous one. Appears like a bush. Decided to take cuttings and took 7 to propagate. The bush growth pattern has continued and still undecided if the cutting are similar or mor vining. Second- some of my leave have brown round pits. No insects and kept under grow lamp so lighting is not an issue. Watering is done by finger test only. I am hoping to find an answer to its growth stocky size, plenty of variegated leave, just growing so close together with no stem stretch. As well any help in identifying the divots and what is causing them. Thanks
Hi Christopher! The only thing I could think of is maybe your light could be too strong. Not to the point where it burns the plant, but it will cause more compact growth. Maybe place the plant further from the grow light to reduce the intensity. As far as the brown pits, continue to keep an eye out for bugs. I'd have to see a photo to better help with that one. Could also be a fungal issue.
Thank you for this incredibly helpful post. I recently purchased a PPP from a big box store and noticed it was incredibly overwatered.
I had kept it near a WNW facing window that gets plenty of light and in a space with a humidifier. Some of the leaves had soft mushy spots which i thought were damage from how they were packaged. However after two days i noticed various leaves sweating profusely. By the third day some leaves were so soaking wet they completely disintegrated down the side of the pot.
One by one the leaves got soaking wet and started tearing. It’s a week later and I’ve gone from 13 leaves down to 4! 🫣 the last four seem to be struggling. One had a wet patch but it’s now dried up and has a black almost mold like appearance. I’ve never had a plant so this before and am not finding any resources online mentioning this issue! Would love any insight you have.
Hi Sarah! Wow, I'm surprised that these plants are now in big box stores! And as I'm sure you've noticed, they don't tend to take care of their plants well at all....what medium was it planted in? Has the potting mix dried out at all since you've had it? How long have you had it?
Hello, I just bought my plant from a flower/plant shop. One of the leaves is turning a waxy color- not necessarily brown just waxy. One of the lower leaves and stems had gone waxy and fell off. I dont want it to continue through out the plant. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Alicia! Can you tell me where you have your plant in terms of light? And did the potting mix go really dry or stay too wet for a while? How long have you had it?
When growing a new leaf it gets stuck and does t “pop” through the stem….if I let it do it’s thing it kinks and dies. Most times I slit the “pod” to release the leaf
Hi! Great article, very helpful! All my ppp's new leaves have creases in them and she starts to bleed... what can I do to prevent this? Many thanks, Eva
Glad you enjoyed the article! Is it physical damage by any chance? Did the plant fall over or maybe someone bumped into it? Another cause could be not having ideal conditions while the new leaves were developing (soil way too dry, etc.). Just some things to think about. Could any of this be the case for your personal situation?
I cut an all green leaf of my PPP, and I'm just curious-where will the new leaf grow on the plant I cut it off of? Do new leaves typically grow above the part you cut off, or is it completely random?
Hi Andrea! Did you just cut the leaf off, or did you actually get part of the main stem? I'm not talking about the petiole attached to the leaf. I'm talking about the actual main vine. You'd have to cut the main vine back to the first leaf that has good variegation, and then you will have a new vine form off the old one. Hope this helps!
I've had my pink princess for a few months, maybe 4. It has lots of pink variegation and marbling on some leaves and is putting out new leaves often. However, the new leaves are much smaller and tend to turn under. Also, there are lots of tiny leaves and stems underneath the larger ones. Should I remove the tiny leaves and stems and just keep the 3 or 4 main ones?
My white knight is basically doing the same thing. I have them potted in a very chunky mix and in a south window on pebble trays!! Thanks for your help. My Pink princess is one of the prettiest I have seen and I want it to thrive!!
I would leave all the leaves. Variegated plants are already at a disadvantage since they have less chlorophyll. Are you fertilizing? Is your pink princess in front of a southern-facing window too? Where do you live?
I recently cut leaves/stems to propagate but now the original plant does not look as good. The nodes look dry.
Have you let the soil dry out too much?
My PPP has looked great then she had thinner leaves and looked bad. Checked the roots, good, but soil was a bit too damp so I repotted in dry soil and gave minimal water. I am worried! 2 more droopy leaves today. Husband paid a lot for this plant at mother's day so help me!
It's hard to say without knowing more about your plant's growing environment. I do have to say that a lot of people get scared to water, so much so that they end up drying out the soil too much. I've seen this time and time again. If you'd like to send me a message through my contact form with care details, and when I respond, you can attach photos. I'll try and help! Please include all care information like: light (how far is your plant from a window? what exposure? or is it under grow lights?), how you determine when to water and HOW you water, etc.
I ordered a pink princess online and by the time I got it most of the little leaves have dried up and I've cut off. now it's just the stem, which I've been told will be fine as it seems to have a node or two still. But I'm scared! Will it survive?
As long as the stem is still nice and firm, you should be fine. 🙂 Good luck!
Hi! I have a very healthy PP but unfortunately I was very stupid and was easing the node of the new growth out of the sheath and it snapped (in two different places!) I feel so dumb. This PP is my first expensive plant I’ve bought and I’m terrified I just killed any chance for new growth forever. It has about five leaves and that would’ve been the place for the sixth but I was impatient and stupid. I really don’t know what to do. Should I chop and prop?
Hi Madeline, I would propagate it. Have you see my post on PP propagation? Here it is: https://www.ohiotropics.com/2020/06/10/pink-princess-propagation/
Can u put ppp under grow lights...
Yes absolutely!
Hi, I got a PPP that had barely any pink on the leaves and I noticed some white. The plant sat in a southern window a few feet back but then I noticed the lighter spot on one leaf turned brown so I had thought it received too much light so I moved it to a west facing window. I throughly watered the plant because it was dry when I purchased. Now, I found a yellow leaf and it just unfurled a leaf that is a dark burgundy. Any advice on this? I’m not sure if I should prune or not. Thank you!
Hi Theresa! I'd need more details to help. But the dark burgundy is not unusual. I have one in my greenhouse that is doing the same thing and there is plenty of light in there. These are quite finicky plants. How long have you had your plant?
My PPP was an Etsy purchase approximately 11 months ago. One leave rooted in moss. Upon receiving it, it was placed in a humidity box where it lived for 3 months. Planted in aroid mix in terra cotta and it has grown quite a bit. Two problems, first- it has developed 3 stems and each stem has a leaf node no more then 3/4 inches above the previous one. Appears like a bush. Decided to take cuttings and took 7 to propagate. The bush growth pattern has continued and still undecided if the cutting are similar or mor vining. Second- some of my leave have brown round pits. No insects and kept under grow lamp so lighting is not an issue. Watering is done by finger test only. I am hoping to find an answer to its growth stocky size, plenty of variegated leave, just growing so close together with no stem stretch. As well any help in identifying the divots and what is causing them. Thanks
Hi Christopher! The only thing I could think of is maybe your light could be too strong. Not to the point where it burns the plant, but it will cause more compact growth. Maybe place the plant further from the grow light to reduce the intensity. As far as the brown pits, continue to keep an eye out for bugs. I'd have to see a photo to better help with that one. Could also be a fungal issue.
Thank you for this incredibly helpful post. I recently purchased a PPP from a big box store and noticed it was incredibly overwatered.
I had kept it near a WNW facing window that gets plenty of light and in a space with a humidifier. Some of the leaves had soft mushy spots which i thought were damage from how they were packaged. However after two days i noticed various leaves sweating profusely. By the third day some leaves were so soaking wet they completely disintegrated down the side of the pot.
One by one the leaves got soaking wet and started tearing. It’s a week later and I’ve gone from 13 leaves down to 4! 🫣 the last four seem to be struggling. One had a wet patch but it’s now dried up and has a black almost mold like appearance. I’ve never had a plant so this before and am not finding any resources online mentioning this issue! Would love any insight you have.
Hi Sarah! Wow, I'm surprised that these plants are now in big box stores! And as I'm sure you've noticed, they don't tend to take care of their plants well at all....what medium was it planted in? Has the potting mix dried out at all since you've had it? How long have you had it?
Hello, I just bought my plant from a flower/plant shop. One of the leaves is turning a waxy color- not necessarily brown just waxy. One of the lower leaves and stems had gone waxy and fell off. I dont want it to continue through out the plant. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Alicia! Can you tell me where you have your plant in terms of light? And did the potting mix go really dry or stay too wet for a while? How long have you had it?
When growing a new leaf it gets stuck and does t “pop” through the stem….if I let it do it’s thing it kinks and dies. Most times I slit the “pod” to release the leaf
Thanks for sharing very well written and worth reading this article.
Wish to see more in the coming days.
Glad you enjoyed!
What type of plant light do you recommend for these?
There are a lot of different good ones! Visit this blog post I pasted here and look at section #2 under the "grow lights for plants in winter" section. I list a few lights that I love using: https://www.ohiotropics.com/2019/11/15/how-to-keep-indoor-plants-alive-in-winter/
Hi! Great article, very helpful! All my ppp's new leaves have creases in them and she starts to bleed... what can I do to prevent this? Many thanks, Eva
Glad you enjoyed the article! Is it physical damage by any chance? Did the plant fall over or maybe someone bumped into it? Another cause could be not having ideal conditions while the new leaves were developing (soil way too dry, etc.). Just some things to think about. Could any of this be the case for your personal situation?
I cut an all green leaf of my PPP, and I'm just curious-where will the new leaf grow on the plant I cut it off of? Do new leaves typically grow above the part you cut off, or is it completely random?
Hi Andrea! Did you just cut the leaf off, or did you actually get part of the main stem? I'm not talking about the petiole attached to the leaf. I'm talking about the actual main vine. You'd have to cut the main vine back to the first leaf that has good variegation, and then you will have a new vine form off the old one. Hope this helps!