Overall plant
Common Name: philodendron
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Araceae
Zone: 10 to 12
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers indoors
Bloom Description: Purple-red spathe and white spadix
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Leaf: Colorful, Evergreen
Culture
Best grown in evenly moist, rich, humusy soils in part shade. Too much shade will reduce the variegation and produce leggy growth. Avoid harsh, afternoon sun. Requires the support of a trellis or other structure. Prune to maintain a compact size. Also prune out stems that have reverted to solid, non-variegated foliage. Propagate from stem cuttings. Hardy in frost-free Zones 10 and above.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Philodendron is a large and diverse genus of around 500 species of herbaceous perennials native to the neotropics. Many are epiphytic for all or part of their live histories. Their inflorescences are the typical arum-type with a spike-like spadix and leaf-like spathe.
Genus name comes from the Greek words phileo meaning "to love" and dendron meaning "tree" for the affinity of many species to climb trees.
'Pink Princess' is a slow-growing, hybrid philodendron selection that features colorful, variegated foliage and an upright, vining habit. Mature plants can reach 4' tall or more with a 2' spread. The heart-shaped leaves are dark purplish-green with contrasting pink variegation and can reach up to 8" long and 5" wide. The pink coloration is variable, emerging as large splotches, small streaks, or occasionally an entire leaf. The typical arum-type inflorescences are rarely produced by houseplants but consist of a purple-red spathe surrounding a white spadix.
Problems
Susceptible to aphids, mealy bugs, scale, thrips, and spider mites.
Uses
Houseplant or conservatory specimen.