How to Grow and Care for Philodendron White Princess

The Philodendron White Princess is a popular houseplant known for its unique foliage. Its deep green, heart-shaped leaves are splashed with bright white, creating a distinct pattern on each leaf. Some leaves may be almost entirely green with a few white specks, while others might have large, dramatic white sections. This variability is part of its appeal. It has an upright, self-heading growth habit rather than a vining one, making it a full, bushy plant for indoor spaces.

White Princess Philodendron Care

Light

Proper lighting maintains the health and appearance of a Philodendron White Princess. This plant flourishes in bright, indirect light. An east or west-facing window providing several hours of gentle, filtered sunlight is ideal. Avoid direct, intense sunlight, which can scorch the leaves, especially the white portions that lack chlorophyll. If the plant receives too little light, the white variegation may fade as the plant produces more chlorophyll to compensate.

Soil

This plant requires a well-draining and airy soil mix. A chunky medium prevents stagnant water and root rot by allowing for good aeration at the roots. You can create a suitable mix by combining standard potting soil with amendments like perlite, orchid bark, and coco coir. This combination ensures the soil retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. Repot every one to two years or when the plant becomes root-bound.

Water

Water this plant using a “soak and dry” method. Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot, then allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry before watering again. Overwatering is a common issue that leads to yellowing leaves and root rot, so it is better to err on the side of underwatering. Water more frequently during the spring and summer growing season and less in the fall and winter.

Temperature and Humidity

As a tropical plant, the White Princess thrives in warm and humid conditions, preferring temperatures from 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Keep the plant away from cold drafts from open windows or air conditioning units. Humidity levels of 60% or higher are ideal. In drier home environments, you can increase humidity with a small humidifier, by grouping it with other plants, or by placing it on a pebble tray filled with water.

Fertilizer

To support its growth, feed the plant regularly during its growing season. From spring through summer, apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer every few weeks. Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength to prevent over-fertilizing, which can cause browning leaf tips. Always water the plant before fertilizing to prevent root burn. Pause feeding during the fall and winter when growth slows.

Encouraging and Maintaining White Variegation

The white markings on a Philodendron White Princess are the result of a genetic mutation. When a plant begins to produce all-green leaves, it is experiencing reversion. This happens when the variegated genetic line becomes unstable, and the plant defaults to its more vigorous, all-green form.

To manage this, prune the stem back to just above a node on a leaf that displays the desired white patterning. This pruning can stimulate the auxiliary buds at that node to activate, hopefully producing new stems and leaves that carry the variegation. A plant may also produce an all-white leaf. While beautiful, these leaves lack chlorophyll, cannot photosynthesize, and can drain the plant’s resources, so they may not last long.

Common Growing Problems

You might encounter some common issues with your plant.

• Leggy growth, characterized by long stems with few leaves, indicates the plant is not receiving enough light. Move it to a brighter location to encourage fuller growth.
• Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings and ensure the pot has adequate drainage.
• Brown, crispy leaf tips can indicate low humidity, underwatering, or a buildup of salts from fertilizer. This can be addressed by increasing humidity or adjusting your watering schedule.
• Pests can be an issue, with common culprits being spider mites, thrips, and mealybugs. Regularly inspect the leaves, especially the undersides, to catch an infestation early. Manage them by wiping leaves with a damp cloth or using an insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Propagating White Princess Philodendron

Propagating a White Princess is a straightforward way to create new plants. The most common method is through stem cuttings, which is best done during the spring or summer growing season. Select a healthy stem that has at least one node—the small bump on the stem where leaves and aerial roots emerge. Using a clean knife or shears, make a cut just below a node.

You can root the cutting in either water or soil. For water propagation, place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged, and change the water every few days. For soil propagation, you can dip the cut end in rooting hormone before planting it in a moist potting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist until new growth appears as the cutting establishes its root system.

White Princess vs White Knight vs White Wizard

Distinguishing between the Philodendron White Princess, White Knight, and White Wizard can be confusing, but the primary differences are in their stems and leaf shapes. The White Princess has green stems, often with pink or reddish edges, and its leaves tend to be narrower and more pointed. It has a self-heading, bushy growth habit.

The Philodendron White Knight has distinct dark red or purplish-brown stems that contrast with its green and white leaves. Its leaves are typically rounder in shape than those of the White Princess.

The Philodendron White Wizard has green stems, but they lack the pinkish hues of the Princess. The Wizard is known for having larger, rounder leaves with big, splashy patches of white variegation and, like the Knight, is a climbing variety.