How to Care for Your Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' Like a Pro

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is a rare non-vining upright hybrid bred from the Philodendron erubescens. This plant is sought after for it's unusual coloring. Young specimens have vivid orange leaves that gradually change to green as they mature. During their transformation, there can be a mix of foliage shades on one plant. You might see yellow-bronze, salmon, and deep orange before the leaves gradually develop the standard dark green hue. As new leaves unfurl, more orange shades arrive. Providing you can offer bright but indirect light and high humidity, this plant should thrive.

Philodendrons are amongst some of the most popular houseplants. The fast-growing foliage of these easy-to-care-for species looks fantastic, and they're perfect plants for beginners and experienced tropical houseplant collectors alike. All philodendron species are toxic to people and pets, so keep this plant out of reach of your curious cats and dogs.

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a Philodendron 'Prince of Orange':

• Place in bright but indirect light.
• Water regularly, but don't let the soil get soggy.
• Provide high humidity levels.
• Fertilize sparingly in the growing season or amend the potting mix with organic matter.
  

Light

Mimicking the native conditions of tropical philodendrons is the aim. Popping your Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' in a spot where it receives bright but indirect light simulates the dappled sun that shines on a rainforest floor.

Situate your Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' near an east or west-facing window or use a sheer curtain to filter the light if a south-facing spot is all you can offer. Too much sun canscorch the leaves, too little, and you won't get to appreciate the brightest orange hues. And remember to spin the plant regularly to encourage uniform growth.

Soil

You want a loose, well-draining potting medium for your Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'. If you want to make your own, try mixing equal parts perlite, peaty soil, and aerating orchid bark. To boost the drainage further, try adding a little gravel. Alternatively, pick up a ready-made commercial aroid potting mix.

Water

Getting it right with watering is probably the most challenging part of caring for the Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'. Instead of watering on a strict schedule, it's all about regularly checking soil moisture levels. Even moisture is best, as wet feet can lead to root rot and problems with pests. Water deeply once the first few inches of soil are dry, and reduce watering amounts once the peak spring and summer growing season draws to a close.

Temperature and Humidity

Your Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' can handle most household conditions. However, you'll see the healthiest foliage growth if you offer the warmth and high humidity levels these species enjoy in their native tropical habitats. Aim for 50 to 70 percent humidity levels to see your plant thrive.

Philodendrons are popular bathroom plants, but even a steamy shower space won't be enough to reach these levels. You might need to invest in a humidifier, group tropical species together, or add a pebbled-filled tray of water under the plant pot to help create the sultry conditions these plants love.

Temperature-wise, you want to avoid spots where they drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit and don't position your plant near drafty windows or blasting HVAC units. Daytime temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal.

Fertilizer

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' isn't a heavy feeder, and care needs to be taken not to over-fertilize. However, using a dilute, slow-release fertilizer a couple of times a month during the spring and summer can help promote glossy, healthy foliage. A balanced 10-10-10 formula works well. If you want an organic option, consider using a dilutedfish emulsion. However, be prepared for the strong smell.

Pruning

You want to show off the bushy, glossy foliage on your Philodendron 'Prince of Orange', so you don't need to do any pruning other than snipping away dead or dying leaves. Doing this ensures all the plant's energy is directed into promoting healthy new growth.

Propagating Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

The Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is a patented hybrid plant (patent number 6797). By propagating, you risk infringing copyright laws. Thankfully, there are many othercolorful plantsyou can propagate from without any issues.

Potting and Repotting Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

Philodendrons are known for being fast-growers who don't like being rootbound, and the 'Prince of Orange' is no exception. That means you might have to repot every one to two years to help maintain those moist soil conditions these plants appreciate. You'll know it's time for repotting when you start to see roots poking out the pot's drainage holes or water is just pouring straight out the drainage holes rather than absorbing into the soil.

Don't go too large when repotting your Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'. A pot that is one or two inches bigger in diameter is perfect. Too big and overwatering becomes more of a problem as the roots struggle to absorb all the moisture from the surrounding soil.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Like other plants in the genus, the Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' isn't bothered by many pests or diseases. However, it's worth watching for bugs that are lovers of high humidity. This includesfungus gnats,mealybugs, andthrips. Useneem oilor insecticidal soapto help keep these bothersome bugs at bay before an infestation grows.

Common Problems With Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

Even though Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' has a reputation for being relatively low-maintenance, it still needs the right care and conditions to thrive. Keep an eye out for the early warning signs that there's something you might need to tweak to keep your plant happy and healthy.

Yellow Leaves

Young Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' foliage can naturally have a coppery-yellow hue, and so can old, dying leaves. However, if the mature leaves on your plant are turning yellow rather than staying glossy green or young leaves are turning from orange to yellow, this can be a sign you are overwatering or not offering enough light.

Sometimes underwatering can lead to yellowing leaves, too, as can positioning in an overly drafty spot or going overboard with fertilizer.

Curling Leaves

Inward curling leaves on your Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' isn't a good sign. It often indicates that you need to increase humidity levels or move your plant to a warmer spot. It could also be a sign of underwatering, but wilting leaves rather than curling ones are a more typical early sign of this problem.

Brown Tips

There's nothing worse than unsightly crispy brown spots developing on the tips of those stunning leaves. You might need to water more regularly, move your plant out of an overly sunny spot, or increase humidity levels.

From: thespruce