Philodendron Prince of Orange Care

Placement

PRO TIP: The Prince of Orange can grow large and broad over time. In the right lighting conditions it can double in size in a year.

The Philodendron Prince of Orange gets its name from its uniquely hued leaves, which change color over time. New growth starts a starburst yellow when it first emerges, transitioning first to copper tones, and ultimately settling into darker shades of green.

This plant is a self-heading Philodendron hybrid. Unlike many Philodendron varieties, the Prince of Orange grows its vibrant leaves from its center rather than from vines or stems. Its brilliant coloring aside, it looks and grows very similarly to a Philodendron Congo, except will only reach about 2 feet tall at its largest.

The Prince of Orange appreciates a bright location in your home or office, out of reach of direct sunlight, in a spot where it will receive plenty of ambient or filtered light throughout the day.

If you are unsure of the lighting conditions in your home or office, check out our guide for how to measure light in your space.

The Prince of Orange shows many different colors during its leaves' life cycle. New growth emerges from the center of the plant a yellow/orange then turns to green. Older leaves toward the outside of the plant also turn yellow, so be sure to differentiate between normal leaf color change and coloring that indicates poor health before pruning.

Routine Maintenance

PRO TIP: Rotate your plant every few weeks so that it grows proportionately. Prince of Orange love to lean towards the light, so rotating will help it stay full on all sides.

Always be sure to assess your plant’s watering needs upon receiving it. Before giving your plant a drink, it is best to check the moisture level in the soil first to ensure it isn’t moist right beneath the surface. Also, consider aerating the soil of your plant before the initial watering. We compact the soil to avoid shifting during transit, so aerating can help the soil breathe and allow moisture to be released.

Philodendrons prefer soil that is consistently slightly moist, especially if you want them to grow big leaves. As epiphytes with aerial roots, they are sensitive to overwatering, so they don’t want to sit in soggy soil. Typically, you shouldn’t have to water your Prince of Orange more than once a week. When the top 1-2 inches of the soil are dry, your plant could use a drink. Rest easy knowing this plant is hardy and easy to care for!

Rotate your plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides and dust the leaves often so the plant can photosynthesize efficiently. When dusting the leaves, also take the opportunity to inspect the undersides and keep an eye out for pests.

Remember each plant is a unique living thing and may have varying needs, especially in their individual locations. Pay attention to the condition of your Philodendron Prince of Orange and its watering needs and you will have a long and happy relationship.

Standard Planter Instructions

There are two types of standard planters offered by Greenery NYC—those with drainage holes, and those without. Within those two categories are an array of sizes and styles to choose from. The presence of drainage holes and size of the vessel play a role in the quantity and frequency of water given to your plant.

Plants purchased in a pot without a drainage hole have been set up with a built-in drainage system. A layer of hydro stones (porous, absorbent material made of recycled glass) has been placed beneath the soil to act as a reservoir for any excess water that flows through the soil. You will need to be slightly more cautious not to pour too much water into these containers as there is no way for the excess water to escape. We suggest pouring small amounts of water in bit by bit, until you have reached the desired moisture level in the soil.

For plants potted with drainage, water until it begins to come out the bottom of the pot and into the catch tray.

Always be sure to assess your plant's watering needs upon receiving it. Refer to the routine maintenance section for your plant’s specific moisture requirements.

Self Watering Container Instructions

The self-watering planters require a good, solid watering of the topsoil after they are first placed. This is important because the roots of the plants need to grow into the reservoir first in order to drink from it. Follow the standard planter instructions for the first four weeks. Then the reservoir is ready to be tested.

TEST: After four weeks, fill the water reservoir until the red indicator reaches the MAX line. If the indicator goes down over the first few days, it means the plant is ready for regular reservoir servicing. If not, be sure to continue top watering for a few more weeks, until the red indicator goes down, meaning the plant has started drinking from the reservoir.

RESERVOIR SERVICING: Once the indicator goes down, do not refill the reservoir right away. Similar to how humans need a breath of air between gulps of water, almost all plants require a drying out period. Always allow for the reservoir to empty all the way, and after a drying out period of a few days, be sure to refill it until the indicator reaches the MAX line.

From here on out, you should NEVER topwater the plant. If you water from the top, it can drown the plant. In the Self Watering Container, the top layer of soil will eventually become extremely dry and hard, and may even pull away from the edges of the pot. This is not a cause for concern, but simply because the plant is drinking directly from its roots in the water reservoir.

Step 1: Top water for two weeks. The indicator will look empty, like the picture above.

Step 2: Fill the reservoir until the red indicator reaches the MAX line.

Step 3: Watch the indicator over the next day or two. If it goes down on its own, it means the roots of the plant have grown into the reservoir. From here on out, ONLY water in the reservoir.

Frequently Asked Questions

Help! My Prince of Orange is turning yellow!

Most often yellowing occurs due to over or underwatering. If you see a combination of yellow and brown on the same leaf, it is often due to overwatering. If fully yellow leaves, along with some brown crispy spots on additional leaves occur then it could be a result of underwatering. Check in with the soil to determine if it matches your diagnosis.

The new growth on my Philodendron won’t open up. What can I do?

When new growth is stunted or stuck, the plant is often not getting enough of something. Most often this occurs because the plant isn’t receiving enough light. If you have ruled out light as the cause, another factor is water. Too little water can cause new growth to shrivel.

How often should I fertilize my plant?

In general, house plants will thrive when they are fertilized spring through fall. Fertilize once a month with an organic houseplant fertilizer, following the package instructions for dilution and administration. Greenery NYC uses an organic potting mix with a slow release fertilizer in the soil, so your plant will not need fertilizer within the first 6 months of receiving it.

How often does my plant need to be repotted?

For smaller desktop plants, we suggest repotting once every 12-18 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 1”- 2” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plant's roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.
For larger floor plants, we suggest repotting every 18-24 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 2”- 4” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plants roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.