Repotting guide

When & how to repot Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' (Philodendron 'Prince of Orange')

Also called Prince of Orange Philodendron, Orange Prince Philodendron, Philodendron Prince of Orange.

More about philodendron 'prince of orange'

About Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' · also called Prince of Orange Philodendron, Orange Prince Philodendron · houseplant

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is a self-heading hybrid aroid prized for new leaves that emerge bright orange and age through copper to green. Give it bright indirect light, water when the top inch dries, and warmth above 13C. It is toxic to cats and dogs (insoluble calcium oxalates), so keep it out of reach.

Mature size: Typically reaches about 60-90cm (2-3 ft) tall and a similar spread indoors.

Watch for — 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.

How to tell philodendron 'prince of orange' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For philodendron 'prince of orange', watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for philodendron 'prince of orange') flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot philodendron 'prince of orange'

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Self-heading (non-vining) habit with a short central stem; leaves stack closely in an upright rosette rather than trailing, so it needs no moss pole or support. New leaves unfurl bright orange and age through copper-bronze and salmon to deep green..

What size pot to step philodendron 'prince of orange' up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping philodendron 'prince of orange' into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot philodendron 'prince of orange'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for philodendron 'prince of orange'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting philodendron 'prince of orange'

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide philodendron 'prince of orange' out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip philodendron 'prince of orange' out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh loose, well-draining aroid mix, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water philodendron 'prince of orange' again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for philodendron 'prince of orange'

Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' wants 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. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting philodendron 'prince of orange' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot philodendron 'prince of orange'?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for philodendron 'prince of orange'. Only repot philodendron 'prince of orange' every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using loose, well-draining aroid mix. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does philodendron 'prince of orange' need?

When is the best time of year to repot philodendron 'prince of orange'?

Does philodendron 'prince of orange' like to be root-bound?

Yes — philodendron 'prince of orange' genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise philodendron 'prince of orange' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting philodendron 'prince of orange'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.