If you are looking for a lovely houseplant for your home, then the White Princess Philodendron is just what you need. This plant has large, variegated leaves with splashes of white against dark green and will look stunning in any home.
A White Princess Philodendron is from the Araceae family and is native to the rainforests of South America. This lovely plant has a beautiful bright green stem and stunning oval leaves with variegated white splashes. The White Princess is an excellent houseplant and a slow to moderate grower.
This gorgeous houseplant is easy to grow; you just need to know what it requires to keep it healthy. Read on for how to care for the White Princess Philodendron plant.
Botanical And Common Name Of A White Princess Philodendron
This Philodendron is a member of the genus Philodendron and part of the Araceae family. There are over 400 different species, and they are native to the rainforests of South America.
The botanical name is Philodendron erubescens ‘White Princess’. It is commonly known as White Princess Philodendron, White Princess, and Philodendron.
Characteristics Of The White Princess Philodendron
White Princess Philodendron is a hybrid, evergreen perennial. It can be identified by the bright green stem, which could have some pink or white coloring. This plant grows to 3 meters with a spread of 60cm. A White Princess is a slow to moderate grower.
White Princess has beautiful dark-colored green leaves with splashes of white variegation. The leaves are oval and can reach 20cm in length. The lovely intricate variegations are unique to every leaf. If you are lucky, your White Princess may surprise you with some pink splashes on the leaves!
This philodendron plant will take 10 years to reach maturity. Mature plants can produce flowering spathes, although this occurrence is rare.
The roots are large, and they grow deep in the soil. This plant also has aerial roots that help the plant attach to a moss pole for support. These aerial roots absorb nutrition from the air.
Preferences Of A White Princess Philodendron
To keep your White Princess happy and healthy, it is best to ensure the plant thrives in its preferred environment.
Light Requirements For White Princess Philodendron
White Princess, in their natural habitat, grow under the forest canopy of tropical rainforests. So, this plant does not like direct sunlight. The ideal placement of this Philodendron in your home is next to a window that does not get direct sunlight. Your plant’s leaves will turn yellow if it gets too much sun. If this happens, move it to another area of your home.
Temperature Preference Of The White Princess Plant
A White Princess plant prefers temperatures that range from 64-73°F (18-23° C). This temperature is easy to maintain indoors. You must keep your plant away from cold drafts and air conditioners which could cause harm.
Ideal Humidity For A White Princess Philodendron
Keep your Philodendron happy by ensuring the humidity in the room is high, between 60-80%. If your plant looks droopy, you can mist the leaves every 2nd day with distilled water. Other alternatives are to group tropical plants together around a small humidifier. This will moisten the air in the immediate area.
Or you could place the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Ensure the bottom of the plant’s container does not touch the water. A pebble tray is an excellent method to manage your Philodendron’s moisture and humidity levels.
Watering Preference Of A White Princess Philodendron
A White Princess does not need to be overwatered. Water the plant every 7 to 10 days or when the top 2 inches of the soil is dry. Always plant a Philodendron plant in a container with drainage holes at the bottom. This allows the excess water to drain freely.
Your Philodendron can be watered using the bottom water method. Allow the plant to stand in a tray or basin of water for a short while. The plant will soak up the moisture through the holes at the bottom of its container. Remove the container from the basin and allow any excess water to run out.
Best Soil For A White Princess Philodendron
Your Philodendron prefers well-draining soil with a pH level of between 5.6 to 7, which is mildly acidic-neutral). This plant favors nutrient-rich soil, but it should be light and airy. You can add some worm castings or garden compost to the soil for more richness.
The ideal soil mix for a White Princess is a combination of potting mixed with pine bark or vermiculite to keep the soil loose. This is to ensure the roots have good aeration so they can breathe better and promote good drainage.
Common Issues Of The White Princess Philodendron
Your plant will thrive if you grow it in its preferred conditions, but some common issues can crop up.
- Yellowing and wilting leaves – this could be the cause of over-watering the plant. Excess watering causes roots to become waterlogged, which causes root rot. This means the roots can no longer take up any water or nutrients for the plant. The result is pest problems, fungus issues, or a dying plant. Adequate drainage is essential to avoid this common issue.
- Stunted growth, drooping or pale leaves – this could be the cause of the temperature being too cold. Philodendrons are sensitive to the cold. Temperatures should not drop below 55°F (12°C). Also, keep your White Princess away from cold drafts and air conditioners.
- Long and leggy plant/stunted growth/loss of leaf variegation – if this happens, your plant is not receiving enough light. Move the plant to where it will receive a lot of light but not direct sunlight. If the plant is in a sport with direct sunlight, hang sheer curtains before the window. This will defuse the harsh sunlight that could cause the plant’s leaves to become burned.
If you do not have such a spot for the plant, you could use grow lights. But be careful of placing the plant too close to the grow lights as this will burn the foliage.
Repotting A White Princess Philodendron
You can repot your plant every two years or when it outgrows its container. A good indication of this is when the roots protrude from the drainage holes. The best time to repot is in spring when the temperatures are warm. This gives your White Princess enough time to adjust before the growth period.
When repotting, choose a container at least one or two sizes larger than the original pot. Fresh soil and more space will be a boost for the roots. Prepare new soil with organic compost and add coco coir for moisture retention and perlite for good drainage.
Remove dead roots from your Philodendron before placing them in the new container. Cover the roots adequately and press the soil down firmly around the roots and the plant. Keep a two-inch gap between the container’s rim and the soil for better watering. Water the plant thoroughly and place it in a bright area but not direct sunlight.
Propagating A White Princess Philodendron
You can propagate your Philodendron by putting the cuttings in moist sphagnum moss or water. Here are some guidelines.
- Select a stem cutting with at least one or two nodes.
- If there are any leaves at the bottom of the cutting, remove them.
- Leave only one or two of the top leaves on the cutting.
- Lay the cuttings in moist sphagnum moss. Keep the cuttings in a bright space and wait for the roots to form. This could take 4-6 weeks.
- Once the roots are about 1 inch in length, move the plant into a pot with a moist potting mixture.
- You could also add the cutting to a jar or glass of water. Place the jar in a bright area and wait for the cutting to take root. However, this method takes much longer than cuttings grown in sphagnum moss.
Conclusion
A White Princess Philodendron is a beautiful plant with an upright bright green stem tinged with pink and white. The leaves of this plant are gorgeous, oval-shaped with variegated white splashes. The plant is a slow to moderate grower, and if kept in its preferred environment, it will thrive.
The White Princess favors high humidity, warm temperatures, rich and good drainage soil, and not much watering. Give your White Princess Philodendron all these requirements, and you will have a healthy and lovely plant to beautify your home.