Pink Princess Philodendron

Give this plant plenty of bright, indirect light to keep the pink coloring going strong. The pink parts of the leaf can't photosynthesize since they have no chlorophyll, so the plant depends on the green parts for energy.

If the light's too low, the plant will start growing solid green leaves just to survive. Keep it out of hot, direct sun, that'll crisp up the pink sections fast.

Water thoroughly once the top 1 to 2 inches of soil have dried out. Let it drain fully from the bottom holes, and always empty the saucer after.

Overwatering is this plant's biggest enemy, so if you're unsure, lean toward underwatering instead.

This plant wants humidity, ideally 50 to 70%, for smooth leaf growth. Mature plants can handle regular room humidity of 40% or more, but younger starter plants do best in a humid greenhouse, cloche, or propagation setup.

Keep the temperature between 65°F and 85°F. Keep it away from drafty windows, air vents, or anything below 55°F.

Use a loose, chunky soil mix. Blend a good potting soil base with plenty of orchid bark and perlite for maximum airflow around the roots.

Feed it monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength.

Propagate easily during the growing season with stem cuttings. Make a clean cut below a node that has visible aerial roots.

Place the cutting in damp sphagnum moss or clean water, keeping it warm and humid until it grows a solid root system, then pot it up in a chunky mix.

Repot every 1 to 2 years in early spring once the roots fill the pot. Choose a pot just one size up, 1 to 2 inches wider, with plenty of drainage holes.

Adding a sturdy moss pole at this point will help the plant grow bigger, more dramatic climbing leaves.

This plant is toxic to pets. It has calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth burning, swelling of the tongue and lips, drooling, and trouble swallowing if chewed or eaten.

Keep it up on a high shelf or in a closed plant cabinet, out of reach.

While the 'Pink Princess' is a cultivated variety, its parent species originates from the warm, humid tropical rainforests of Colombia.

The pink variegation is highly unstable and chimeric. This means no two leaves will ever look the same, and your plant may occasionally push out a stunning "half-moon" leaf that is perfectly split down the middle with pink and dark green.