Philodendron White Princess: A Complete Care Guide

The philodendron white princess is a rare tropical beauty with eye-catching white variegated foliage. This hybrid has a self-heading, upright habit rather than being a climbing, vining plant, like many philodendrons.

Despite its appearance, the white princess is a relatively easy houseplant to care for. However, it is a little less cold- and drought-tolerant compared to some types of philodendrons. It needs bright, indirect sun, well-draining soil, regular irrigation, and high humidity to thrive.

If you’re lucky enough to source one of these stunners, keep it away from your kids and four-legged friends. The white princess, like all philodendrons, is toxic to pets and people.

Philodendron White Princess Care

Here are the main care requirements for making the most of the stunning white variegated foliage of the philodendron white princess:

• Position in bright, indirect light.

• Pot in rich, well-drained potting mix.

• Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry slightly before irrigating.

• Keep in a warm spot with high humidity.

Light

Philodendrons, which sit in dappled light on the rainforest floor in their natural habitat, are known for tolerating low light. However, the philodendron white princess needs plenty of bright, indirect light to prevent the white variegation from fading—at least six hours is ideal. However, it’s all about getting the balance right. Too much direct, harsh sunlight can scorch the delicate foliage.

Soil

Your philodendron white princess will appreciate a loose, well-draining potting mix that’s high in nutrient-dense organic matter.

You can 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. Soilless mixtures such as peat and vermiculite or even 100% sphagnum peat moss can also work.

Water

While consistent moisture is key to keeping the foliage on your philodendron white princess looking its best, watch out for overwatering. Soggy soils are a no-no and can lead to root rot.

Let the top few inches of soil fully dry out before watering again. Don’t judge by sight or work on a strict schedule—insert your finger into the soil or use a moisture meter to get a better idea of when it's time to water. And don’t 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 65°F. Don’t position the plant next to drafty doors or windows or in rooms that experience extreme temperature fluctuations.

As you would expect of a tropical plant, the white princess is also a lover of high humidity. It’s rare to be able to provide the consistent 60% or more humidity levels these plants appreciate in average home environments—even in a steamy bathroom. You might need to group tropical plants and add a pebble-filled water tray under the pot or even invest in a humidifier to offer favorable levels.

Fertilizer

The philodendron white princess is a heavy feeder. Regular fertilization during the plant’s growth season helps promote large, healthy foliage with stand-out variegation.

Offering a feeding of a balanced, diluted nitrogen fertilizer every few weeks works. Stop feeding during the dormant winter phase. Always fertilize when the soil is moist to avoid the risk of fertilizer burn to dry roots.

Pruning

The philodendron white princess isn’t 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.

If you are cutting away healthy stems if the plant is growing too large for the space, keep these to propagate new plants for your collection or to make a unique gift for friends or family.

Propagating Philodendron White Princess

Ensure the rare philodendron white princess specimens remain in your collection by propagating from stem cuttings during the active spring or summer growth season. Water propagation works well with philodendrons. Follow these steps for success.

1. Use sharp, sterilized scissors or shears to cut a stem, keeping at least two healthy leaves at the top and a few nodes (points where new leaves emerge) towards the bottom of the stem.

2. Allow the cut base of the stem to callus over. This can take up to 24 hours.

3. Place the cutting in a clear, tall jar of water. The nodes should be fully submerged at all times.

4. Position the jar in a spot where it receives bright, indirect light.

5. Refresh the water around once a week to keep it well-oxygenated.

6. Watch for new roots sprouting. Once they reach around 1 inch in length, transfer the cutting to a well-draining potting mix. This typically takes two to three weeks.

7. Return to a position with bright, indirect light and water thoroughly, keeping the potting mix consistently moist for the first few weeks.

Potting and Repotting Philodendron White Princess

Philodendrons are a little more tolerant of being rootbound than some species. However, repotting your philodendron white princess every two to three years helps to promote healthy growth and impressive variegation.

You can identify a rootbound plant by watching for the roots coming out of the pot's drainage holes and the water will no longer absorb well into the soil.

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. Don’t go too large. If there’s too much soil around the roots, the plant can struggle to absorb moisture efficiently, leading to root rot.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Philodendrons aren’t known for being big pest pullers. However, bugs that thrive in high-humidity environments can be a problem. While they aren’t likely to kill your plant, they can affect its appearance and vigor.

Watch out for fungus gnats, mealybugs, and thrips. Fortunately, if you catch them before a full-blown infestation sets in, it's easy to keep these bugs at bay with insecticidal soap or natural neem oil.

Unsightly brown spots on leaves can also occur in these high-humidity environments. If you see leaf spot developing, keep your plant away from other prized specimens to prevent the spread of this type of contagious fungal disease and treat it with a fungicide.

Common Problems with Philodendron White Princess

While the goal is to keep the foliage of your philodendron white princess looking glossy and the white variegation crisp, it’s not uncommon for leaves to look less than their best.

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 plant’s care. Keep an eye out for the following early warning signs.

Fading Variegation

If the white patches are turning green, there’s a good chance your philodendron white princess isn’t getting enough bright but indirect light.

If you don’t have a sunnier spot to position your plant in, consider using a grow light. The fading variegation is often combined with leggy growth as your plant stretches toward the available light.

Yellowing Leaves

One or two old leaves turning yellow on a houseplant isn’t a reason to panic. Often, they are just making way for new growth. But if new growth at the top of the plant is discoloring, it can be a sign of a few potential problems.

Commonly, yellowing and dropping leaves signify you need to cut back on watering. It can also be a sign of underwatering or your plant not getting enough light.

Brown Tips

When the white tips of your philodendron white princess go brown and crispy, it’s another sign you might not be offering your plant enough water.

Don’t 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.

Curling Leaves

When your philodendron white princess is in a cold drafty spot, it can cause the leaves to curl in on themselves. Find a warmer spot with higher humidity levels to keep your plant happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does a philodendron white princess grow?

The philodendron white princess is a relatively slow grower compared to many philodendron species. It might only grow up to a foot per year, even when indoor conditions are ideal.

How rare is the philodendron white princess?

The philodendron white princess is a rare hybrid plant. You won’t likely find it in the big box stores. If you are struggling to find a white princess, fortunately, there are other attractive variegated philodendrons to look for, like the philodendron pink princess.

Does the philodendron white princess need a pole?

Many philodendron species are vining climbers and can use a supportive moss pole. However, the philodendron white princess is self-heading and has an upright form. This means it won’t need a pole to keep its stature.

What is the difference between a white princess and white wizard philodendrons?

The philodendron white princess isn’t the only hybrid variety with stunning variegation. It is easily confused with the similar philodendron white wizard. However, the white princess tends to have slightly narrower leaves and can have white and pink shading on the variegated stems. The wider white wizard’s leaves sit on top of stems, which only feature white variegation and no hints of pink.

Read the original article on The Spruce.