Philodendron ‘Orange Princess’

Origin of Philodendron ‘Orange Princess’

‘Orange Princess’ is a recent horticultural variegated selection that exists only in cultivation. Its breeder, parentage and early introduction history remain unknown.

How to care for Philodendron ‘Orange Princess’

• Support: Keep the plant free-standing while the stem remains short and stable. If an older stem lengthens and begins to lean, add light support and secure the stem loosely.
• Handling: Wait until a new leaf is firm before moving or cleaning it, and support the leaf from below.
• Light: Give the plant bright filtered light so its green tissue can support steady growth, and protect pale orange and cream areas from hot direct sun.
• Watering: Let the upper part of the mix begin to dry, then soak the root ball and drain it completely.
• Potting mix: Use a coarse aroid mix that stays open after watering and keeps air around the roots.
• Temperature and humidity: The plant grows comfortably at 18–29 °C and should not remain below 15 °C for long. Keep the surrounding air in the 50–60% range.
• Feeding: During fresh leaf and stem development, use complete fertiliser at a measured rate; then taper the feed as the plant slows down.
• Repotting: Increase pot size when roots crowd the container. If the plant becomes unstable first, secure the pot and any support before deciding whether more root space is needed.

Common problems with Philodendron ‘Orange Princess’

• Cream or orange tissue turns brown: Check the side facing the strongest light and the moisture deeper in the pot. Move the plant out of direct sun if the damage faces the window. If the root ball is genuinely dry, water it thoroughly and let it drain; avoid extra water when the mix is still moist
• The plant wilts in wet substrate: Stop watering and make sure the pot can drain. If the wilt continues, inspect the roots. Healthy firm roots do not need cutting. Remove soft or foul-smelling sections, replace substrate that stays waterlogged and repot. The root-rot guide covers the rest of the recovery
• Orange coverage changes sharply between leaves: Pattern can shift from one growth point to the next. Keep the routine steady when the plant is healthy and still carries enough green tissue
• New growth stays almost fully green: Follow several new nodes before pruning. If the green run continues, cut the stem just above an earlier healthy node that carried the orange-and-cream pattern you want to keep. Replacement growth may still vary

Philodendron ‘Orange Princess’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

The meaning and history of Philodendron

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.”

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Philodendron in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.