Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' (Prince of Orange Philodendron) care

Light

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. Thrives in bright, indirect light, which keeps the vivid orange new growth strongest. Avoid direct midday sun, which scorches and fades the foliage; tolerates medium light but colour and compactness suffer. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water philodendron 'prince of orange' when the top 2.5cm (1 inch) of soil is dry. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Water thoroughly until it drains, then let the top inch dry before watering again. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Never leave it sitting in standing water, as soggy soil quickly causes root rot.

Soil and pot

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' grows best in loose, well-draining aroid mix. Use a peat- or coir-based potting mix amended with perlite and orchid bark (plus optional charcoal) for aeration and drainage. Aim for a slightly acidic pH of about 5.0-6.0 and always use a pot with drainage holes. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' sits happiest at around 50-70% humidity and 15-29C (60-85F). As a tropical aroid it prefers moderate to high humidity (ideally 60-70%) but adapts to average home levels around 50%. Boost humidity with a humidifier or by grouping plants if leaf edges brown. If you keep the room above 15 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed philodendron 'prince of orange' sparingly. Feed with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser roughly every four weeks during the spring-to-autumn growing season, diluted to label strength. Reduce to about every eight weeks (or stop) in winter when growth slows. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on philodendron 'prince of orange' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Root rot from overwatering — Soggy, poorly draining soil leads to yellowing lower leaves and mushy stems. Let the top inch dry between waterings and use a chunky, well-draining mix.
• Faded or weak orange colour — New leaves stay dull or green-only when light is too low. Move to a brighter spot with bright indirect light (no direct sun) to keep new growth vivid.
• Brown, crispy leaf edges — Usually low humidity or inconsistent watering. Raise humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray and keep a steady watering routine.
• Scorched or bleached leaves — Direct, harsh sunlight burns the foliage and bleaches colour. Filter the light or move the plant back from hot windows.
• Pests (spider mites, mealybugs, aphids) — Watch leaf undersides and joints for webbing or cottony clusters. Wipe foliage and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil as needed.
• Leggy, stretched growth — Too little light causes loose, elongated growth that loses the tidy rosette form. Increase light and rotate the plant for even, compact growth.

Propagation

Best propagated by division rather than stem cuttings: because it is self-heading and grows from a short central rosette, traditional node cuttings do not work well. When repotting, carefully separate offsets or basal plantlets that already have their own roots and pot them up in fresh aroid mix. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is toxic to pets. Toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA does not list this hybrid by its cultivar name, but every Philodendron it does list (e.g. Heartleaf, Tree, Split-Leaf, Variegated Philodendron) is classified toxic to dogs, cats and horses due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Keep out of reach and consult a vet if chewed. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of philodendron 'prince of orange' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' watering schedule
• Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' light requirements
• Best soil mix for philodendron 'prince of orange'
• Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' fertilizing guide
• When to repot philodendron 'prince of orange'
• How to propagate philodendron 'prince of orange'
• Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' growth rate & size
• Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' cold hardiness
• Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' temperature & humidity
• Is philodendron 'prince of orange' toxic to cats & dogs?

Related guides

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is also known as Prince of Orange Philodendron, Orange Prince Philodendron, and Philodendron Prince of Orange.

• Types of philodendron — varieties identified, with care and pet-safety
• Snake plant care — light, water and common problems
• Dracaena care — light, water and common problems
• Peperomia care — light, water and common problems
• All 389 plant care guides in the Growli library