Add a touch of tropical elegance to your home with the elegant Philodendron Prince of Orange. Here’s everything you need to know!
Adhering to its name, Prince of Orange Philodendron adds a colorful cheer to your interiors with its glossy, heart-shaped foliage. If you are looking for a colorful houseplant to liven the bland corners of your home and office without the hassle of high maintenance, this Philodendron Prince of Orange Care Guide will help you with just that!
- Botanical Name: Philodendron erubescens ‘Prince of Orange’
- An air-purifying houseplant
- Features bright orange foliage that matures to a dark green shade
- Reaches a height of 2 feet tall
- Loves bright, indirect light
- Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
Learn about Growing Philodendron Black Cardinal Indoors here
Philodendron Prince of Orange Plant Information
Philodendron Prince of Orange is prized for the variety of foliage shades it offers—young leaves emerge as bright orange that takes a chartreuse green hue before maturing to a darker shade of green, besides the exotic burgundy petioles stealing the show. Standing at the height of 2 feet tall, the plant features oval-shaped foliage that emits an exquisite shine under bright sunlight.
The leaves grow up to 12 inches in length and 6 inches in width, featuring delicate green veins that add an eye-catching texture to the overall plant stature. How about having a houseplant that reflects your cheerful personality with the right touch of greenery? That’s Philodendron Prince of Orange for you!
Ideal Pot Size
The Philodendron Prince of Orange can be grown in a 6-8 inches pot. You may need to repot it into one size larger pot as it outgrows the older. This will give the roots enough room to breathe. Ensure to drill enough holes to allow excess water to drain out of the container.
Philodendron Prince of Orange Propagation
Prince of Orange Philodendron is easily propagated via stem cuttings following a few basic steps:
- Get a healthy, disease-free plant and snip a 6 inches long stem just below the nodes using sharp, sterile clippers.
- Dip the cut end in the rooting hormone, brushing off the excess.
- Prepare a well-draining potting mix and plant the cutting so that at least two nodes are in the soil.
- Provide bright indirect light and keep the soil evenly moist until it shows signs of growth.
In 3-4 weeks, roots will grow. Hold back on watering, and provide the newly grown Philo with favorable conditions to grow.
Philodendron Prince of Orange Growing Requirements
Light
Philodendron Prince of Orange flaunts the best colors under bright, indirect light. You may keep the plant in low-lit spots if you want it only to survive; however, if you wish to grace your home with an attractive set of foliage, place the plant near the Northern or Eastern windows that allow a few hours of morning sunlight. Do ensure not to let the plant scorch in the intense afternoon heat.
If you don’t have access to bright, indirect light, you can provide artificial light using fluorescent lights or LED grow lights.
Soil
Like most of its cousins, Philodendron Prince of Orange prefers well-draining soil with a mildly acidic to neutral pH of 6-7 that retains some moisture without getting soggy. A soilless combination of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite or coconut coir will tick all the boxes when it comes to Growing Philodendron Prince of Orange Indoors.
Water
The plant prefers a moist medium, but it’s important to avoid over-watering, so the best trick is to stick your finger to the top inch of the soil for a quick moisture check. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. If it feels moist, wait a few more days.
A weekly deep watering session until the water drains out from below the pot can provide the right moisture. Overwatering the plant can lead to root rot—something you won’t appreciate!
Temperature and Humidity
Native to the tropical rainforests, the Prince of Orange Philodendron loves warm and humid conditions. To ensure it thrives best, keep the temperatures between 60°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) and relative humidity of 60% to 70%. The plant is not very fussy about some fluctuations in temperature and humidity, but it’s best to avoid extreme changes as they can stress the plant, ripping off its shine.
On drier days, consider misting the plant with tepid water or placing a pebble tray around the plant to boost the air moisture.
Philodendron Prince of Orange Care
Fertilizer
Philodendron Prince of Orange benefits from regular fertilization, which helps the plant maintain its luster. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to one-fourth its strength, every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Alternatively, you can side-dress the plant with slow-releasing granules at the beginning of Spring for lush, healthy growth.
Do not feed the plant on colder days, as that will lead to salt burn in the medium, hence rotting them.
Pests and Diseases
The gorgeous leaves can be susceptible to pests and diseases like spider mites, mealybugs, scales, and black spots. To prevent such infestations, treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
Root rot is common in Philodendrons and is caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Also, wipe the foliage every month with a cotton cloth soaked in soap solution to remove the dust and debris accumulation.
