Thephilodendron white princessis arare tropical beautywith eye-catching white variegated foliage.
Despite its appearance, the white princess is a relativelyeasy houseplantto care for.
However, it is a little less cold- and drought-tolerant compared to sometypes of philodendrons.
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It needs bright, indirect sun, well-draining soil, regular irrigation, and high humidity to thrive.
The white princess, like otherPhilodendron, is toxic to pets and people.
Its all about getting the balance right.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Too much direct, harsh sunlight can scorch the delicate foliage.
you might buy commercial aroid mixes or try making up your own.
A homemade blend of equal parts potting soil,aerating perlite, and orchid bark is a common combo.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Soilless mixtures such as peat andvermiculiteor even 100 percent sphagnum peat moss can also work.
Soggy soils are a no-no and can lead toroot rot.
Let the top few inches of soil fully dry out before watering again.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Dont let your plant sit in water that escapes through the drainage holes into the tray below.
Temperature and Humidity
Philodendron white princess is a tropical hybrid and is particularly cold-sensitive.
Create a consistently warm environment where temperatures remain above 65F.
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Dont position the plant next to drafty doors or windows.
As you would expect of a tropical plant, the white princess is also a lover of high humidity.
Fertilizer
The philodendron white princess is a heavy feeder.
Regular fertilization during the plants growth season helps promote large, healthy foliage with stand-out variegation.
Offering a feeding of a balanced, diluted nitrogenfertilizerevery few weeks works.
Stop feeding during the dormant winter phase.
Always fertilize when the soil is moist to avoid the risk offertilizer burnto dry roots.
Pruning
The philodendron white princess isnt a sprawling climber, so there are no major pruning requirements.
You might want to lop off leaves if they are dying or dead using sterile shears.
This allows the plant to direct its energy to healthy variegated growth.
Do this during the active growth period rather than in the dormant winter stage.
It is best to repot during the spring or summer growing season and when the plant needs watering.
Pick a pot that is around 2 inches wider in diameter than the existing pot.
Dont go too large.
Too much soil can lead to root rot.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
These plants arent known for being big pest pullers.
However, bugs that thrive in high-humidity environments can be a problem.
While they arent likely to kill your plant, they can affect its appearance and vigor.
Watch out for fungus gnats,mealybugs, andthrips.
Unsightlybrown spots on leavescan also occur in these high-humidity environments.
Sometimes, individual leaves can droop and discolor as part of the natural aging process.
Other times, it’s a clue you are getting something wrong with the plants care.
Keep an eye out for the following early warning signs.
If you dont have a sunnier spot to position your plant in, considerusing a grow light.
The fading variegation is often combined with leggy growth as your plant stretches toward the available light.
Tip
Sometimes, this plant may produce pink or half-pink leaves, if you’re lucky.
This is natural and is due to the plant being a hybrid.
Yellowing Leaves
One or two oldleaves turning yellow on a houseplantisnt a reason to panic.
Often, they are just making way for new growth.
Commonly, yellowing and dropping leaves signify you gotta cut back on watering.
It can also be a sign of underwatering or your plant not getting enough light.
Dont forget to check the potting mix regularly and water deeply when the first few inches are fully dry.
Too much sun or insufficient humidity can also lead to brown tips.
Find a warmer spot with higher humidity levels to keep your plant happy.
The philodendron white princess is a relatively slow grower compared to manyPhilodendronspecies.
It might only grow up to a foot per year, even when indoor conditions are ideal.
The philodendron white princess is a rare hybrid plant.
You wont likely find it in the big box stores.
ManyPhilodendronspecies are vining climbers and can use a supportivemoss pole.
However, the philodendron white princess is self-heading and has an upright form.
This means it wont need a pole to keep its stature.
The philodendron white princess is easily confused with the similarphilodendron white wizard.
North Carolina State Extension.
