Hey plant lovers! I’ve been experimenting with growing Pink Princess Philodendrons in water, and let me tell you – it’s totally possible and actually pretty fun! Here at Simply Bloom, we’re excited to share everything we’ve learned about growing these stunning plants in water.
The Short Answer
Yes! Pink Princess Philodendrons can absolutely grow in water. Even though they normally grow in soil, these pretty plants do well when they are grown in water and get the right care.
Why Choose Water Growing?
I’ve found several benefits to growing Pink Princess in water
- Super easy to monitor root health
- Less messy than soil
- Lower risk of overwatering issues
- Fascinating to watch roots develop
- Makes a gorgeous decorative display
- Perfect for propagation
Getting Started: What You’ll Need
Before diving in, here’s your shopping list:
- A healthy Pink Princess cutting (4-6 inches long)
- Clean glass container or jar
- Room temperature filtered/distilled water
- Sharp, clean scissors or pruners
- Optional: Rooting hormone powder
- Support stakes (if needed)
Step-by-Step Guide to Water Propagation
1. Selecting Your Cutting
When I’m choosing a cutting, I look for:
- Healthy stem with 2-3 nodes
- Vibrant green leaves with pink variegation
- No signs of damage or disease
- At least a few healthy leaves on top
2. Preparing the Cutting
Here’s what ya gotta do
- Make a clean cut right below a node
- Remove lower leaves (keep 2-3 top leaves)
- Let the cutting dry for a few hours
- Optional: Dip in rooting hormone
3. Setting Up the Container
I’ve found these tips super helpful:
- Use clean, clear glass container
- Fill with room temp filtered water
- Make sure nodes are submerged
- Keep leaves above water
- Place in bright indirect light
Ongoing Care Tips
Light Requirements
Your Pink Princess needs:
- Bright indirect light
- No direct hot sun
- East or west-facing window ideal
- 2-4 hours morning sun OK
Water Care
- Change water every 7-10 days
- Use room temperature water
- Maintain water level above nodes
- Watch for algae growth
Temperature & Humidity
- Keep between 65-80°F
- Humidity 40% or higher
- Avoid cold drafts
- Use pebble tray if needed
Common Problems & Solutions
Sometimes things don’t go as planned Here’s what I’ve learned
Slow Growth
- Move to brighter spot
- Check water quality
- Ensure proper temperature
Mushy Stems
- Remove from water
- Trim affected areas
- Start fresh with clean water
Fading Variegation
- Increase light exposure
- Consider grow light
- Check temperature
When to Transfer to Soil (If You Want)
Pink Princess can live happily ever after in water, but you might want to move it to soil at some point. Wait until:
- Roots are 2-3 inches long
- Multiple roots have developed
- Plant shows strong growth
Pro Tips from My Experience
- Take multiple cuttings if possible – not all might make it
- Be patient – root development takes time
- Keep out of direct sun to prevent algae
- Use clear containers to monitor roots
- Clean containers monthly to prevent buildup
Making It Look Pretty
Want your water-grown Pink Princess to be a showstopper? Try these ideas:
- Use decorative glass containers
- Add colored glass beads
- Create a water garden display
- Mix with other water-grown plants
- Use as a living centerpiece
Final Thoughts
It is possible to grow Pink Princess Philodendron in water, and it’s also fun to watch your plant grow from the very beginning. It’s a fun alternative to growing plants in soil, and the results can be amazingly beautiful.
Remember that each plant parent has a unique experience, so don’t be afraid to try different things until you find what works best for you and your Pink Princess. If you have any problems, just change how you care for them and keep trying. With the right care, these tough plants usually get better.
PINK PRINCESS PROPAGATION BASICS
Before we go any further, let’s take a look at the basic anatomy of the plant so that you have a basic understanding of the plant and how to propagate.
Check out the photo below of a cutting I made:
The area where each leaf meets the stem or vine is called a node. The node is where both roots and new growth will form.
You can see the aerial roots where the arrows are pointing. Even though I could have split this cutting into three separate ones, I chose to keep the one nice plant I had because I was giving it away in a raffle for charity.
If I wanted to make multiple cuttings, I indicated where to cut with the knives in the photo.
At a minimum, you really just need one node to propagate.
Now let’s take a look at 3 various methods to root and propagate your plant.
PINK PRINCESS PROPAGATION METHODS
Most of us are very familiar with this one, and it is very simple!
See the picture above? All you have to do is make sure that one node (the part where the leaf meets the stem) is underwater.
You can see the aerial roots surrounding the node. After a few weeks or so, these roots will extend and grow in the water.
Make sure you have one or two leaves on each cutting.
You don’t need to wait long after the roots start growing before putting the cutting in soil. You can transfer to soil after the roots are maybe an inch long or so. A little shorter or longer won’t make a difference.
Just don’t wait forever!
When you pot up your cutting into soil, I like to use 3 parts of a good potting mix like Miracle Gro and I add 1 part perlite to make it nice and fluffy. This is a great overall potting mix for your leafy tropicals.
Or you can purchase the AMAZING potting mixes from Oh Happy Plants. Use either the Tropical Climber Soil Blend or the Rainforest Soil Mix, and if you use my links, you will automatically receive 10% off at checkout for any products.
Don’t use a huge pot when you’re potting up your cutting. A 4 inch diameter pot is plenty for one cutting.
It’s fun to grow plants from water, so check out my post on the best houseplants to water grow.
Once you have your cutting, instead of putting it in a vase of water like I did above, you can choose to plant it directly into a pot that contains a soil mix instead. For rooting in soil, I’d recommend a mix that is half soil and half perlite and you will want the node buried under the soil.
This method will require a little bit more baby sitting. You’ll want to keep your potting mix fairly damp to encourage rooting. Don’t ever let it dry out, especially for long periods, or roots may never form.
And don’t worry about “overwatering.” Since half of your potting mix is perlite, it introduces a lot of air and oxygen so it is pretty hard to “overwater.” It is the lack of oxygen to the roots that causes root rot.
By adding enough perlite, we are able to maintain a moist medium that is needed for rooting, but it also helps to prevent rotting!
Increasing humidity is also helpful if you’re doing soil propagation. You might want to loosely place a clear plastic bag as a tent over the cutting, use a humidifier, or place on a tray of moist pebbles.
The final way to propagate Pink Princess and easily increase your collection by a lot is…
How To Propagate a Philodendron Pink Princess | Water & Perlite Propagation
FAQ
Can philodendron grow in just water?
Many popular houseplants, like monstera and philodendron, can grow in a container of water without soil. Simply put the roots of your plant into water—making sure the foliage isn’t also submerged—and watch as they flourish.
How long does it take philodendron to root in water?
Philodendron cuttings typically take 2-4 weeks to develop roots when propagated in water. However, some cuttings may take longer, potentially up to 6 weeks or more.
How do you grow a philodendron Pink Princess?
Top pick: My preferred soil for Philodendron Pink Princess is the Miracle-Gro Tropical Potting Mix (check the latest price here). It’s very well draining and will feed nutrients to your Philodendron Pink Princess for up to six months. For a tropical plant like the Philodendron Pink Princess, it’s got everything you need.
Can you grow pink princess from seed?
If you attempt to grow these from seed, they will not produce any pink leaves and you will likely get the all-green species of Philodendron erubescens. Seeds will simply not give you an exact genetic copy of the plant. Save yourself the trouble and your hard-earned cash, and don’t fall for the Pink Princess seeds scam.
Do Pink Princess Philodendron seeds grow?
If the Pink Princess seeds do germinate and grow, they will probably turn back to solid green, and you will have a regular philodendron instead of a Princess. To take better care of a Philodendron Pink Princess, try to make its home in a tropical setting.
Do Pink Princess plants grow faster?
Like any variegated plant, it will grow slower than it’s non-variegated counterpart because it has less chlorophyll. How big do Pink Princess plants get? Over time, with good conditions and care, they can get several feet tall, but it is very important to provide support with a moss pole, a wooden stake or plank, or similar support.
How hot does a philodendron Pink Princess grow?
Your Philodendron Pink Princess will thrive in temperatures between 75°F and 85°F (23°C to 29°C). While they can survive at lower temperatures than this, don’t let them stay for too long anywhere less than 65°F (18°C) as your plant may not survive. Clearly some plants, like Philodendron Pink Princess, like it hot.
What makes a philodendron Pink Princess different?
What sets the Philodendron Pink Princess apart from its various cousins is its striking variegation. Where plants with pink striping are usually light in color all over, the bubblegum pink of the Princess rests against a deep, dark green background, often confused with black or burgundy.