Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is a self-heading Philodendron grown for its colour-changing new leaves. Fresh growth opens bright orange, then moves through apricot and yellow-green before maturing to medium green. The colour is strongest on new leaves, so the plant carries its warmest tones at the centre of active growth rather than across every older leaf.

This cultivar forms a compact rosette-like crown with short internodes and thick petioles. It does not need a moss pole to show its natural shape. The leaves rise from a central growing point, creating a full plant that suits pot culture well when the roots are kept aerated and the crown is not buried too deeply.

Orange new leaves and a self-heading crown

• Growth habit: Self-heading Philodendron with a compact crown and very short internodes.
• Leaf colour: New leaves emerge orange, then mature through apricot and yellow-green into green.
• Leaf shape: Narrowly ovate leaves with a glossy surface and entire margins.
• Support needs: No climbing support required; the plant is naturally crown-forming.

Patent background and leaf colour stages

USPP6797, “Philodendron plant named Prince of Orange,” was filed on 21 January 1988 and published on 16 May 1989. The patent describes a stocky, compact, self-heading Philodendron with bright orange new leaves maturing through apricot and yellow-green to green.

The patent names Howard N. Miller as inventor and Cora McColley of Orlando, Florida as assignee. Its breeding background is complex, involving Philodendron domesticum, Philodendron erubescens, Philodendron wendlandii, Philodendron imbe and Philodendron cannifolium within the breeding line. The resulting plant is a compact self-heading Philodendron selected for warm new-leaf colour, short internodes and a rosette-like crown.

The colour change is normal leaf development. Older green leaves are the mature stage of the leaf, while the strongest orange appears on fresh growth. Very harsh light can scorch new leaves, and weak conditions usually slow the production of fresh colour.

Care for orange new growth and compact crowns

• Light: Give bright, indirect light to support healthy new growth. Avoid hot direct sun, especially on fresh orange leaves.
• Watering: Water when the upper substrate has dried. The compact crown is sensitive to waterlogged roots, so drainage matters more than frequent watering.
• Substrate: Use an airy aroid mix with bark, perlite or pumice and a moisture-retentive organic base. The mix should drain freely while staying lightly moist after watering.
• Humidity: Moderate household humidity is usually tolerated, but steadier humidity helps new leaves expand smoothly from the crown.
• Temperature: Keep warm, ideally 18–27°C. Avoid cold wet conditions around the roots.
• Potting: Use a pot with drainage and avoid burying the crown. Repot only when roots fill the pot, moving up gradually in size.
• Feeding: Feed lightly during active growth. A gentle, regular feed supports leaf production without pushing soft, weak growth.

Colour, crown and root issues to check

• Older leaves turning green: This is normal maturity. Look at the colour of new growth when judging the plant’s condition.
• Weak orange colour on new leaves: Check whether the plant is too cool or too far from bright indirect light. New growth shows the clearest colour when growth is active.
• Yellowing lower leaves: Check root moisture, drainage and pot size. A dense wet mix can stress the roots.
• Brown marks on new leaves: Move the plant away from direct sun or intense grow lights. Soft new tissue damages easily.
• Crown rot risk: Keep water out of the central crown and avoid planting too deeply. Good airflow around the crown helps after watering.

Pet safety and handling

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is not pet-safe and should not be ingested. Leaves, stems and sap contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth, throat and digestive tract. Keep trimmed leaves away from pets and wash hands after pruning.

Name origin and botanical background

Philodendron is an aroid genus in the family Araceae, with a name derived from Greek words meaning “loving trees”. The cultivar name 'Prince of Orange' refers directly to the orange colour of the emerging leaves, the colour of the emerging leaves.

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' forms a compact self-heading crown with orange new leaves that mature through warm green tones.