Philodendron ‘White Princess’

Origin and background of Philodendron ‘White Princess’

White Princess was in cultivation by September 2020, when it served as the seed parent of the later cultivar White Ice. In November 2022, a naturally mutated shoot appeared on White Princess in Massachusetts. This type of mutation is known as a branch sport, and the new plant became Princess Taffy.

Root and foliage care for climbing aroids

• Light for white and pink: Give the green tissue strong diffuse exposure and protect white or occasional pink sectors from abrupt sun. Colour balance changes independently on each leaf.
• Guiding the compact stem: Place a vertical surface beside the shoot as it lengthens and hold the nodes where aerial roots can attach.
• Moisture and root air: Let the mix surface start drying, then water the whole pot and release runoff. Choose a blend that remains open as roots fill the container.
• Repotting: Move Philodendron ‘White Princess’ when root crowding slows drainage or the climbing support loses stability.
• Node propagation: Choose a cutting with an active growth bud and a green stem section that can sustain early growth. Its next leaves may carry a different amount of white or pink.

Troubleshooting Philodendron ‘White Princess’: normal changes and damage

• Pink-edged green stems: White markings and pink or red margins, sheaths or occasional leaf areas can be normal. Be concerned if surrounding tissue becomes soft, smells unpleasant, turns progressively brown or begins to collapse.
• All-white or greener growth: A white leaf has little chlorophyll, while a green shoot may outgrow the rest of the vine. Pruning may redirect growth through another viable bud, although white or pink on later leaves cannot be guaranteed.
• Softness or recurring spots: Examine the roots and stem base, remove dead roots and refresh stale mix. Move the plant away from others if decay remains wet or expands, and take cuttings only from firm, symptom-free nodes.
• White sectors turn brown: Check strong light, heat, salts, dry roots and contact. Dry damage within the pale area may stop after the stress is removed. Move the Philodendron ‘White Princess’ away from nearby plants if a wet edge expands beyond the white section.
• Pests in compact nodes: Search the rolled leaf, petiole bases and short climbing stem. Silvered trails with dark droplets indicate thrips; fine speckling or webbing points to mites; cottony clusters reveal mealybugs. Treat the hidden nodes and lower surfaces, first testing one pale section.

Philodendron ‘White Princess’ is toxic if ingested by people or pets

• This plant is toxic to humans, cats and dogs if ingested.
• Leaves and stems contain needle-like, insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing can cause immediate burning mouth pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian after pet exposure or a medical professional after human exposure, especially if swelling or breathing trouble occurs.

How the name Philodendron came about

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.