How to Grow and Care for White Princess Plant
The White Princess Philodendron is a hybrid plant similar to the Philodendron white knight, with green pointed leaves & underground & aerial roots for watering. It is slow-growing but has similar care to other Philodendron plants.
The stem coloration varies between the two, with the white princess having a darkish pink & purple stem. The plant's origin is unknown, but it is believed to originate from Colombia. There is no patent for the White Princess Philodendron, but there are some tips for caring for it.
Let’s get to our care tips for the White Princess plant without further ado.
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White Princess Philodendron is a hybrid plant, It is slow-growing but has similar care to other Philodendron plants.
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How to grow White Princess plant?
To grow a White Princess plant:
- Plant White Princess plant in well-draining, moist soil (with proper aeration & mildly acidic to neutral soil), using a gently diluted liquid or slow-release fertilizer. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
- Maintain a warm temperature (18-32°C), water when the topsoil of the plant is dry, & maintain humidity 60-90%.
- Trim away brown or damaged fronds & also provide adequate air circulation around the plant to prevent fungal problems & ensure fresh air..
- Repot the plant every 1-2 years or when it outgrows its container, using fresh potting mix & a slightly larger pot.
Is White Princess plant easy to care for?
Yes, the White Princess Philodendron is a low-maintenance tropical plant suitable for beginners. Additionally, air layering or stem cutting are the two methods available for propagating the Philodendron White Princess.
Stem cutting is the process of cutting a node on the stem while ensuring that it contains nodes from which roots can develop. While air layering includes covering a node with wet sphagnum moss & plastic or pods. Following propagation, the development of the parent plant may undergo a slowdown. Spring or early summer are the ideal seasons for gardening White Princess.
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How to Care for White Princess plant?
The following recommended maintenance steps to care for White Princess plant includes:
1. Sunlight Needs:
How much sunlight does White Princess plant need? To grow a healthy white princess aroid, it requires more light than other green aroids. The Philodendron White Princess requires bright, natural light, preferably from east or west-facing windows. Keep plants away from south-facing windows to prevent leaf burning. Grow light should be strip grow light & 300-400 CF light for 6-8 hours.
2. Temperature Maintenance:
For optimal growth, the Philodendron 'White Princess' grows at temperatures between 18°C & 32°C. Temperature fluctuations might affect growth. Although it thrives indoors, you can bring it outside in the summer (just make sure it doesn't get too much direct sunlight). To keep the plant healthy, also avoid air conditioning winds & cold wind.
3. Soil Requirements:
Optimal soil conditions for White Princess include well-aerated & well-draining soil. Organic-rich potting mix helps these plants. This mixture can be made with indoor plant potting soil, coconut coir, peat moss, perlite, orchid bark pieces, or worm castings. Somewhat acidic to neutral pH levels (between 5.6 & 7) are the best soil for the White Princess's growth.
4. Watering Routine:
How often should you water White Princess plant? Optimally, watering should occur once every week or ten days. However, if the soil completely dries out, re-water promptly. How often you water your plants depends on weather, humidity, & light. All of these factors tend to decrease during the winter. Try not to overwater these Aroids—they like dryness.
5. Proper Humidify:
White Princess philodendrons thrive in 60%–90% humidity. For optimal plant health, use a plant humidifier, sprinkle them with spray bottles, cluster them together, or place them in a bathroom. Avoid radiators & fan heaters, which diffuse moisture. Instead, put water around the radiator to restore humidity. This helps maintain an ideal plant growth environment.
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6. Growth Potential Knowledge:
How big does White Princess plant get? The Philodendron White Princess is a climber & epiphytic plant, growing up to 3m tall with 20cm long leaves & producing one to two monthly leaves.
7. Fertilization Timing:
For healthy growth, plants need spring & summer fertilization. Apply a light, diluted liquid fertilizer or slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 6–8 weeks while the plant is dormant. Avoid overfertilization to prevent leaf yellowing & blazing. Moreover, start with less fertilizer than recommended & add more as needed. Remember that recent repotting plants won't need fertilizers for three months.
8. Common Pests & Plant Diseases:
White Princess Philodendrons attract aphids, spider mites, fungus gnats, scale insects, & mealybugs. To control these pests, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, diatomaceous earth (DE) around the plant base, or an isopropyl alcohol-soaked cotton swab. Bacterial leaf spot infections are also common & require leaf & stem removal & irrigation improvements.
9. Other Challenges & Troubleshooting:
The challenges & troubleshooting of a White Princess plant include issues such as yellowing, drooping, & dry tips on the leaves. Possible causes include overwatering, underwatering, low light conditions, nutrient deficiencies, root rot, temperature & humidity, pests, diseases, & root-bound pot size. Address these issues by ensuring the plant is in a suitable location, using a balanced fertilizer, trimming affected roots, & repotting the plant in a larger container.
Moreover, the calcium oxalate-containing Philodendron 'White Princess' can poison both humans & pets, causing mouth & tongue irritation, respiratory issues, & nausea.
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Conclusion
The White Princess is a stunning indoor Philodendron variety with large, variegated leaves, enhancing any space with its stunning green & white foliage. To keep its growth healthy, follow the care recommendations (mentioned above).
FAQs
Q1. What temperature range can White Princess plant tolerate?
Ans. White Princess plant thrives best in temperatures between 18-32 oC for healthy growth
Q2. Does White Princess plant need humidity?
Ans. Yes, the plant prefers 60-90% humidity. Use a humidifier, spray bottles, combine plants, or keep them in the bathroom to keep white Princess philodendrons happy.
Q3. How often should you add fertilizer to White Princess plant?
Ans. Apply a light liquid or controlled-release fertilizer every six to eight weeks to keep plants healthy throughout active growth.
Q4. What should you do if White Princess plant's leaves are turning yellow?
Ans. Yellow leaves may be caused by overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiencies. Adjust watering frequency & use balanced fertilizer to address these issues.
Q5. What should you do if White Princess plant's leaves are drooping?
Ans. Overwatering, underwatering, root challenges, & poor watering cause drooping leaves. Fix these issues by watering less, improving soil drainage, & checking roots for rot.
Q6. What should you do if White Princess plant's leaves have dry tips?
Ans. Lighting, low humidity, overfertilization, & poor fertilization can dry tips. To fix these, elevate the temperature, alter the fertilizer, & provide adequate light.
Q7. Is White Princess plant safe for pets?
Ans. The Philodendron 'White Princess' is harmful to pets.