Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’

Selection history of Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’

Howard N. Miller selected Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ within the Bamboo Nursery breeding programme in Florida. The plant patent application was filed in January 1988, and US Plant Patent 6,797 was granted on 16 May 1989 with the rights assigned to Cora McColley.

Its pedigree runs through several generations of cultivated Philodendron hybrids, making ‘Prince of Orange’ a complex horticultural hybrid.

Care for Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’

• Crown space: Leave clear space around the leaves at the top of the short stem so a soft new leaf can open without pressing against glass, walls or neighbouring foliage.
• Light: Place it in bright filtered light. If the plant is moving to a sunnier position, increase exposure gradually so the orange centre is not bleached or scorched.
• Watering and roots: Let the upper part of a loose aroid mix dry before watering the whole root ball. Empty the collected water fully so the roots do not remain waterlogged beneath the short stem.
• Temperature and humidity: Hold the growing area near 18–29 °C, with extra warmth during prolonged spells under 15 °C. Aim for 50–60% humidity.
• Feeding: Use a balanced houseplant feed while new leaves are appearing, then reduce feeding when growth slows.
• Repotting: Give the roots more space once they crowd the pot, using a container only slightly larger. A full root ball, noticeably slower drainage or poor pot stability are the cues to repot.
• Propagation: Use a rooted basal shoot or a stem section with an active node.

Problems to watch for on Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’

• The newest orange leaf is becoming green: This is normal leaf hardening. Leave it in place; the strongest orange colour should return with fresh central growth.
• A dry bleached patch appears on the exposed side: Strong sun or hot glass is likely when the mark lines up with the light source. Move the plant farther from the glass or screen the direct sun, and protect the next soft leaf while it expands.
• Several leaves droop while the pot remains wet: Stop watering until the root zone has begun to dry and confirm that excess water can leave the container. If the plant stays limp and roots are soft, hollow or foul-smelling, remove only the damaged roots and repot the firm root system in fresh airy mix; the root-rot guide covers the full rescue check.
• Silver scarring and black specks appear on a new leaf: Inspect the folded growth and crown for thrips. If live thrips are present, isolate the plant, remove accessible insects, and use an indoor-ornamental treatment currently labelled for thrips, repeating it only as the current label directs.
• Fine pale stippling develops on older foliage: Check the leaf undersides with magnification for mites or webbing. When mites are confirmed, separate the plant, rinse accessible mites from both leaf surfaces, and use a product currently labelled for spider mites on indoor ornamentals according to its label.

Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ 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.

Philodendron: where the name comes from

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.