White Princess Philodendron Care: The Ultimate Guide

The Araceae family is full of stunning specimens, but few can compare to the Philodendron White Princess. Dark, glossy green leaves adorned with picturesque swathes of ivory and pink make this beauty a must-have for collectors. And like a work of fine art, the Princess never fails to spruce up a room.

Despite its exotic appearance, the White Princess reigns supreme in its ease of care and low-maintenance attitude. Its adaptability to a broad range of conditions, and relative resistance to pests and diseases, make it the perfect choice for even the most neglectful plant owner (or those with a busy lifestyle).

This article aims to unpack everything there is to know about the Philodendron White Princess, from where to find one to its growth habits. We’ll also look at distinguishing characteristics that set this gorgeous plant apart. Ready? Let’s jump right in and learn more.

How to care for a philodendron white princess

The best way to care for a Philodendron White Princess is to try and emulate its natural, tropical environment. This involves providing it with bright, indirect light, plenty of warmth and humidity, well-draining soil, good hydration, and seasonal feeding. Occasional pruning and cleaning also help your Philodendron White Princess’ overall well-being.

Philodendron White Princess make great houseplants, and if you have any hesitation about their care, worry no further. These gracious green beauties are low-maintenance and straightforward in terms of their needs, making them perfect for even beginner plant parents.

Bearing in mind that Philodendron White Princess are tropical plants, the best environment you can offer them is one where they’ll have a sunny spot with lots of light, relative humidity, and plenty of moisture.

In good news, most homes are already set up for this with East and South-facing windows and a generalized humidity level of around 50%. To supplement the rest of their care needs, you just need to ensure your Philodendron White Princess stays hydrated, is fed with both good soil and that you occasionally fertilize your philodendron.

In the following sections, we’ll look at Philodendron White Princess care in greater detail to equip you with everything you need to help your houseplants thrive.

How much light does a philodendron white princess need?

Philodendron White Princess prefer at least six to eight hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. As their leaves can be vulnerable if they receive too much light, keep an eye out for any signs of sunburn on your Philodendron White Princess’ leaves, such as yellowing leaves or brown spots appearing.

Most (if not all) plants depend on sunlight energy to grow, and Philodendron White Princess are no different. Native to tropical America, they’re accustomed to dappled light from the jungle canopies above them, which you can try to mimic in the home with clever positioning.

In the winter, when it starts to cool down, and there is less indoor sun available, a Philodendron White Princess’ light needs can be augmented with a bit of time spent outdoors on a sheltered patio or balcony. The fresh air will do them good, too.

Find out more: Philodendron Light Needs: The Ultimate Guide

What is the right temperature for philodendron white princess?

Your Philodendron White Princess will thrive in temperatures between 75°F and 85°F (23°C to 29°C). While they can survive at lower temperatures than this, don’t let them stay for too long anywhere less than 65°F (18°C) as your plant may not survive.

Clearly some plants, like Philodendron White Princess, like it hot. However, the real kicker is ensuring your Philodendron White Princess are placed in an area with mid-to-high humidity.

When should I fertilize my philodendron white princess?

Philodendron White Princess likes some fertilizer every now and again. In fact, they do their best when they are fed twice a month during their active growing season, which is the spring and summer. However, you shouldn’t fertilize your Philodendron White Princess during its dormant period in the cooler months.

This is because feeding the plant during this time can interfere with its natural growing cycle.

Overall, though, occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer is greatly beneficial for Philodendron White Princess, especially at the start of their growing seasons in the spring and summer months.

If you think about it, these jungle-dwellers are used to all the rich, dense nutrients they have access to from the forest floor, which can’t be substituted by typical potting soil. An all-purpose liquid fertilizer at half strength is a good way to replace their natural feeding schedule, providing them with an extra dose of energy for new growth.

What are the best humidity levels for a philodendron white princess?

Philodendron White Princess prefer humidity levels of around 65% to 80%. Given that they are native to tropical Central and South America, they thrive in humidity conditions similar to their natural habitat. However, most homes won’t reach these levels, so you may need to boost this for your Philodendron White Princess to thrive.

Houseplants that receive adequate amounts of sunlight daily generally don’t require supplementary humidity, particularly if you consider most homes fall in the 40% to 50% range. However, with their tropical inclinations, Philodendron White Princess can benefit from a little extra care in this regard.

The easiest, in my opinion, is to invest in a small plug-in humidifier. Alternatively, you can rest your Philodendron White Princess on a damp pebble tray, making sure not to let their roots touch the water. 

Alternatively, if you have a whole collection of houseplants, cluster them together so they can benefit from each other’s transpiration processes. It has the added benefit of looking great too!

What soil is best for philodendron white princess?

A Philodendron White Princess’ soil mix should be loosely clustered, nutrient-rich, and well-draining. The high nutrient level emulates its natural habitat, where plant material in the rainforest falls onto Philodendron White Princess and nourishes them. Having light and airy potting mix helps to avoid the soil staying too soggy, which can lead to root rot.

While many Philodendron White Princess varieties have aerial roots as well as ground-dwelling (terrestrial) roots, they receive the bulk of their vitamins and minerals from their soil, making it an essential part of their fundamental care.

Buying pre-blended Philodendron White Princess soil from most garden centers is a simple option. Alternatively, you can easily mix your own by combining potting soil with chunky bits of bark (grab some here) and moisture-retentive perlite (get it here). 

If you’re buying your Philodendron White Princess pre-potted, they’ll likely arrive in appropriate soil from the get-go. Even so, you’ll need to replace their soil every 18 to 24 months to prevent a build-up of salts or eliminate any beasties and creatures like pests, fungi, or bacteria, so make sure you’re replanting them in the best soil for philodendrons so they continue to thrive. 

Indeed, this is a good maintenance practice for all houseplants, not just Philodendron White Princess!

How often should you water philodendron white princess?

You should water your Philodendron White Princess when the top two inches of its soil has dried out, which you can test by sticking your finger into your plant’s potting mix. In summer, this will be around once per week, but may be less frequent in the cooler months.

It’s always good to have a watering schedule for your plants, but with so many factors (like season and sunlight) at play, I prefer to meet my Philodendron White Princess’ watering needs as required – by waiting for their top inch of soil to dry out before hydrating.

The reason for this is that the leading cause of fatality in Philodendron White Princess is root rot, which they tend to contract from overly soggy soil or from standing in pooled water. As they’re pretty drought-tolerant, it’s best to err on the side of caution and only water philodendrons as they need it rather than strictly once-per-week.

That said, when you do water them, a hearty dose of moisture is great, provided it doesn’t make their soil soggy and heavy, which weighs down on their root systems.

Should I prune my philodendron white princess?

You should prune your Philodendron White Princess from time to time as part of their regular maintenance, with spring being the best time of the year to do this. Removing dead foliage or browning stems will allow robust leaves and vines to draw in more sunlight and stop your plant from wasting energy. 

Just like humans shower, cut their hair, and clip their nails, Philodendron White Princess can do with occasional grooming, especially when it comes to eradicating old or dying growth. Fortunately, trimming your philodendron really isn’t hard to do.

When it comes to cleaning, remember that each large leaf of your Philodendron White Princess is full of sunlight receptors that are easily blocked by dust or grime. Wiping down your leaves with a damp cloth keeps them clean and free to function at their best.

When should I repot my philodendron white princess

The Philodendron White Princess is not a plant that needs to be repotted regularly, with it often only needing to be transplanted every two to three years. With that said, however, you should repot your Philodendron White Princess if you see roots growing out of the drainage holes.

In fact, this plant does well when it is rootbound. That said, when you do transplant a Philodendron White Princess, do so in spring before the plant starts to produce new growth, and select a pot that is about 3 sizes larger than the current pot. 

Alternatively, you can wait until fall to perform the transplant.

Find out more: 7 Simple Steps to Repot Philodendrons (+ When To Do It)

How to propagate a philodendron white princess

The easiest way to propagate your Philodendron White Princess is to root it in water. Simply place your cutting into a jar with water in it and place it in a warm sunny spot, and wait. Refresh the water once a week to keep it oxygenated and, in six to eight weeks, new roots will appear. 

At that point, your Philodendron White Princess cutting will be ready for transplantation!

Philodendron White Princess can be propagated from stem cuttings, provided they have a visible node and a leaf or two to draw in moisture from the air. You can either root your cuttings in water first or plant them directly into soil. 

Alternatively, if you only have a small piece of stem, you can try to root them in a nutrient-rich growing medium with concentrated humidity.

That is, a second option is to place your cutting directly into a planter with soil. This is slightly riskier as they require a lot of humidity to make up for the moisture they’d usually draw via roots, but it can be equally effective with proper care. 

If your cutting has no leaves, try laying it on a bed of peat moss and covering the tray or container with plastic to retain humidity. While this method isn’t always effective, it’s worth a try to avoid throwing away any pieces of your precious plants.

Find out more: 10 Easy Steps to Propagate Philodendron Cuttings

Is the philodendron white princess rare?

Yes, as a relatively recent addition to the market, the Philodendron White Princess is still considered rare. Indeed, exotic cultivars like this are developed by crossbreeding two or more plants to create unique characteristics, like white and pink variegation. 

These challenging production conditions and resultant limited availability make the Princess highly sought-after. It’s fair to say that we’ve established the Philodendron White Princess is not your average houseplant. 

Instead, it is a testament to the ingenuity of horticulturalists – though it is unclear where this precise cultivar originated. All we know for sure is that it is a consequence of selective breeding and has been around for less than 15 years.

Even so, the prominence of ‘plantfluencers’ has brought attention to rare and unique plants, thrusting them into the limelight and making them better known to a broader audience of enthusiasts and collectors. 

As you can imagine, this has also pressured breeders to produce higher numbers of White Princess Philodendrons faster. The demand cannot always be met, partly due to complications in production related to their variegation.

More simply put, collectors are after their signature coloring. But with DNA tampering, there is little guarantee of how consistently variegated a crop of plants will be until they start to mature. 

Production sometimes fails, leaving thousands of non-variegated Princess plants without a space in the market, while the highest bidders quickly sweep up the ‘prime’ specimens.

What’s a standard white princess philodendron price?

The price of a Philodendron White Princess depends largely on its size, age, and condition. Small or juvenile plants and stem cuttings can cost between $50 and $150, with more mature, established specimens costing anywhere from $200 to $600. 

That said, the price point of a White Princess also depends on market availability and where you are located regionally.

In the plant world, there aren’t too many rules regarding price points, and various factors come into play, including the characteristics of the product, demand, and the seller themselves. 

Reputable buyers with good credentials charge more, for example, than private hobbyists and collectors. Stem cuttings are risky and, therefore, usually cheaper than established mature plants.

As a plant like the Philodendron White Princess is unlikely to appear in your local nursery, prospective buyers have little choice other than to conduct their research and find a specialist supplier, likely through an online marketplace. Should you opt for this route, make sure you find out as much as possible about your future Princess’s condition (variegation, age, size) and how it will be transported to you.

A price tag that’s $50 upwards towards the $600 range is a reasonable estimation for US buyers and the European market, but this can vary in other countries and is significantly impacted by regional availability. That said, if you’re paying much, much higher, it may be worth speaking to an expert to establish if your investment is worthwhile or worth waiting on.

Why is philodendron white princess so expensive?

The unusual coloration of the White Princess makes it highly coveted by collectors, but the actual supply of these plants is limited. This beauty is produced through genetic engineering that renders parts of its leaves devoid of chlorophyll, which accounts for its ivory splatters. 

Add to this the occasional appearance of pink variegation, known as the Philodendron White Princess tricolor pattern, and you have an actual unicorn.

Because of its popularity and the universal demand for this exotic houseplant, sellers can push up prices for willing buyers. Ideally, their cost will start to decrease as the White Princess becomes more freely available.

Where to find a white princess philodendron for sale

Philodendron White Princess plants are most commonly sold and traded via online marketplaces like eBay and Etsy or through specialist suppliers and nurseries. Plant clubs and forums can also point you toward private sellers. It is highly improbable that you’ll find a White Princess in your local garden center.

It goes without saying that the rarity of the White Princess makes it challenging to track down, which is why your best bet is usually an online retailer or, even better, a specialist supplier. In this regard, where the latter deals specifically in the business of rare and exotic plants, you heighten your chances of obtaining a healthy, authentic White Princess.

If you don’t know where to start looking, I always recommend spending a few hours on plant forums or joining clubs specific to your philodendron interest. Those in-the-know are likely to have the correct contact for breeders and the like and, occasionally, may even be so kind as to part with a stem cutting themselves.

Either way, as the White Princess is so costly, always conduct thorough research (check reviews!) and make sure your seller can answer all your questions so that you know exactly what to expect when your Princess arrives.

How to identify a white princess philodendron

The Philodendron White Princess is a tropical, vining evergreen with large, dark green heart-shaped leaves characterized by splashes of creamy white variegation. This unique patterning can cover up to two-thirds of each leaf’s surface area. Additionally, some specimens also show traces of rosy pink.

In size and general shape, the White Princess looks a lot like the commonly-found Heartleaf Philodendron, except that it has been doted on with color. As mentioned, it is a trailing plant, meaning it grows vines instead of stems, and as it matures, it develops aerial roots, which it uses to attach to support structures or climbing poles.

Texture-wise, the leaves of the White Princess are waxy and glossy, becoming more durable as they get larger. This beautiful plant’s variegation also develops with age, with most of its color becoming prominent on the higher, older areas of its foliage.

As a disclaimer, the variegation that distinguishes this plant from its cousins depends entirely on its growing environment. The White Princess requires sufficient bright, indirect light, good hydration, nutrient-rich soil, and plenty of humidity to thrive.

Is philodendron white princess a hybrid?

White Princess Philodendrons are a hybridized cultivar believed to be developed from the Philodendron Erubescens and the Philodendron Bipinnatifidum. By crossbreeding their DNA and genetically modifying tissue cultures, innovative scientists produced the unique variegation that makes the Princess so visually striking. 

At the same time, they managed to maintain all the best qualities of the philodendron species, including their hardiness.

Do all white princess philodendrons have pink?

As its name suggests, the White Princess Philodendron is famed for its ivory variegation. Some show pink or reddish swathes as they mature, but this is not guaranteed and depends on their age and growing conditions.

In cases where this gorgeous plant shows up with bubblegum stripes, it is referred to as having a White Princess Philodendron tricolor pattern.

White Princess Philodendron vs Pink Princess

The main difference between the Philodendron White Princess and the Philodendron Pink Princess is the color of their variegation. Where the White Princess is whiter, the Pink Princess has distinctive patterns of bright pink set against dark green leaves.

On the similarity spectrum, both philodendron varieties are genetically modified hybrids, and both can grow into tricolor patterning (meaning white, pink, and green). However, the dominant color indicates which breed is which.

White princess philodendron vs white wizard

The White Princess Philodendron and White Wizard are majestic, rare cultivars that can both be identified by their white variegation. However, the White Wizard has larger areas of non-pigmentation, which are usually quite uniform in pattern. Its leaves are also larger and broader.

Secondly, the White Princess sometimes shows up with pink splatters, which is unheard of in the White Wizard.

Can a white princess revert?

Environmental factors and deficiencies can cause White Princess Philodendrons to revert, with the primary causes being a lack of sunlight or nutrients. Though reversion can be disappointing, it is possible to reverse it by adapting your growing conditions to meet your plant’s needs.

Reversion is the phenomenon whereby a plant loses its variegation to compensate for lack of energy. In straightforward terms, highly variegated plants like the White Princess have fewer chlorophyll cells in their leaf tissue. 

We know this because these are the same cells responsible for the green hues of foliage. Chlorophyll cells are necessary for energy production via sunlight, so it follows that a plant already in a deficit will need a little extra TLC.

When a plant starts to revert, they’re communicating that there is something they need to produce more energy – usually light – but also sometimes nutrients. 

To combat this, you may try moving your plant to a brighter spot or investing in grow lights. You can also give it a dose of slow-release fertilizer as a booster.

Is a philodendron white princess fast-growing?

The Philodendron White Princess is considered a fast-growing, and as a vining plant, it can put on a few feet each year. Naturally, the rate at which they grow depends on their environmental conditions, age, and planter size. 

But if all the correct measures are in place, you should have no issues helping your Princess thrive.

Not only is she a beauty, but the White Princess is also a gratifying grower and can reach heights of up to 3 feet (1 meter), with a spread of around 2 feet (60 centimeters). 

Bright light, humidity, good soil, and regular hydration are the best way to keep your plant growing well, with a bit of fertilizer now and then for a boost.

Should your Princess be lagging or leggy, I recommend some light pruning to make way for new development. Also, investigate if there is a brighter or warmer spot you can move it to. Philodendrons are tropical plants, which means they love warmth and humidity. 

Together with this, they should be repotted every 18 months to 2 years to prevent them from becoming rootbound.

Is the white princess a climber?

White Princess Philodendrons are vining plants, which means they can either be left to trail or trained to climb. As the Princess develops aerial roots, its natural inclination is to find something to attach them to. Support structures like trellises or moss poles are highly beneficial in this regard.

The exotic White Princess needs no excuse to show itself off in a gorgeous vining growth habit and instinctively barnacles itself to nearby structures. This is, of course, unless you’ve opted for a hanging planter or basket so that it can trail downwards.

While the Princess has no preference, most collectors opt to provide their plants with a moss or coco coir pole that serves the additional benefit of containing nutrients. 

Training is simple and only requires you to do some initial stem attachment with florist’s tape or twine. But once established, the White Princess will always grow upwards towards a light source.

For this purpose, you may want to consider turning your Princess’s pot weekly for even growth.

Does a white princess need a moss pole?

Adding a moss pole for your White Princess isn;t strictly necessary, but they have some benefits, first and foremost, promoting a healthy, vertical growth habit. This keeps vines upright and can prevent them from becoming leggy, particularly if your moss pole is also feeding your Princess vitamins and minerals.

That said, moss poles are not your only option. Trellises and shelves are also perfectly adequate, provided they have a surface for your philodendron’s roots to attach themselves to.

How do you make a philodendron white princess bushy?

The best way to make a Philodendron White Princess bushy is to prune it in its growing season, which is spring and summer. Make sure you remove any dead or dying leaves, as this ensures your plant doesn’t spend energy on this foliage and will instead focus on new growth.

Funnily enough, regularly trimming your plant is actually key to maximizing your philodendron’s growth rate.

Regularly turning your plant so that all its angles receive sunlight is another good way to ensure consistent, rounded, and aesthetic growth with a clustered appearance to make your philodendron fuller. 

You can also use a moss pole so that your Philodendron White Princess has space to climb upwards, which is what it would do in its natural environment – aiming upwards towards a source of light.

Are philodendron white princess toxic?

Philodendron White Princess are toxic to humans and animals, as they contain sharp calcium oxalate crystals that cause skin irritation through direct contact, or gastrointestinal distress and other potentially dangerous symptoms when ingested. All parts of the plant contain these crystals, which are most prevalent in its sap.

While Philodendron White Princess are indisputably beautiful in the home, it is best to keep them away from curious kids and pets, as skin contact and ingestion can be highly irritating at best and have real health consequences at worst.

These plants’ sticky white sap is full of needle-like calcium crystals. When they make contact with bare skin, they can cause welts or irritating rashes, which, fortunately, can usually be treated with a topical skin ointment.

Be aware: Ingestion of any part of a Philodendron White Princess can cause swelling of the throat tissue, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and other symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In a worst-case scenario, ingestion can cause difficulty breathing, in which case, medical treatment should be sought as a matter of urgency.

While this all sounds very daunting, the good news is that these plants don’t taste good, so there is no real reason (other than curiosity or carelessness) why rogue children or pets would eat them. Even so, prevention is better than cure, so place your plants out of reach if you’re concerned they may get chomped.

Why are my philodendron white princess’ leaves turning yellow?

There are a few reasons why Philodendron White Princess leaves turn yellow, but the primary cause is overwatering, with yellowing leaves being an early sign of root rot. Damaged roots cannot transport nutrients, oxygen, and water to a plant’s leaves, which causes cell death, and by default, turns them yellow.

I find watering my plants to be the most cathartic exercise on earth. However, with some trial and error, I’ve learned that my Philodendron White Princess, in particular, doesn’t do well with being over-loved. 

While they’re super hardy, too much hydration can quickly cause root rot in philodendrons – a fungal or bacterial infection that destroys your plant’s root system.

Therefore, if you notice yellowing leaves on your philodendron, run a diagnostic immediately. Is your soil damp or soggy? Allow it to dry out, which may reverse some of the damage. Lots of sun helps. Or if the damage is progressed, try repotting your Philodendron White Princess, removing damaging roots in the process.

A secondary cause of yellowing leaves is chemical burn, which your Philodendron White Princess may contract from over-fertilization. In this case, transplantation is also recommended, followed by a restriction of your feeding practices.

Why is my philodendron white princess drooping?

Drooping and wilting in Philodendron White Princess is more often than not related to watering practices. Too little water can cause fatigue which will make your plant look droopy, while too much water (or root rot) can also cause ill health. Generally, when a plant wilts, it is trying to communicate that it’s unwell.

While a drooping Philodendron White Princess is distressing, it’s not usually terribly serious and most likely due to dehydration. This can be solved with a dose of water and sunlight and, of course, more consistent care going forward. In no time, your plant should be back to its old self.

Conversely, if this doesn’t do the trick, your philodendron leaves curling may indicate an underlying issue like root rot, which, ironically, is caused by overwatering. If you suspect this is the case, you may be best off transplanting your Philodendron White Princess into fresh soil and readjusting your watering schedule.

A third cause of drooping is related to light. If a Philodendron White Princess isn’t receiving enough sun, it will tell you by dropping its leaves and wilting. Remember, six to eight hours a day is critical, and if you can’t provide this, mitigate potential drooping with supplementary grow lights.

Related: 10 Causes Of Your Philodendron Not Growing (+ How to Fix It)

Why are there brown spots on my philodendron white princess?

Like yellowing and drooping, brown spots on a Philodendron White Princess are a sign of a health ailment. Browning, in particular, is mainly caused by pest infestations or bacterial and fungal infections. The best way to get rid of brown spots is to identify the cause and then treat your plant accordingly.

None of us want to see our Philodendron White Princess suffer, and brown spots usually aren’t a very good sign. If you notice your philodendron leaves turning brown, the first thing you want to do is identify the cause, whether it be pests or soil-related.

In the case of creepy crawlies, you can treat your Philodendron White Princess by washing it down with a horticultural soap, followed by a wipe with neem oil. Remove damaged growth, and give your plant lots of love, water, and light.

On the other hand, bacterial and fungal infections are best treated by getting rid of old soil. I highly recommend transplanting your Philodendron White Princess (preferably in spring or summer), and cutting away any visible root and leaf damage, provided it’s not more than 30% of your plant’s total volume.

Brown spots on philodendrons can also be caused by sunburn, but in this case, they’ll look more like a sheen than a spot, per se. Sunburn can be prevented by keeping your Philodendron White Princess out of direct light.

Why are my philodendron white princess’ leaves falling off?

When a Philodendron White Princess’ leaves start to drop, it is more often than not a sign of either overwatering or underwatering. Root rot, a consequence of too much water, can cause leaves to wilt, curl, and fall. Underwatering, conversely, sees them dry and turn crisp before dropping.

White Princesses are great communicators and will tell you when there is something in their environment they don’t enjoy. As hardy plants, they don’t have many health issues, so any sudden onset of leaf drop is a cause for immediate concern.

As mentioned, this is usually related to watering practices, with the first sign of an issue being wilting, curling, or dried leaves. You should adapt your hydration timeframes accordingly.

If watering is not the problem, it may be that your Princess is scorching (you’ll note its leaves start turning pink), in which case you should move it to a shadier spot as soon as possible.