Philodendron erubescens 'White Princess'
Cultivar of nursery origin; parent species Philodendron erubescens is native to Colombia
First described by K.Koch & Augustin (parent species).
Green leaves splashed and streaked with white sectoral variegation; stems often show pink or cream flecks.
Climbing cultivar of P. erubescens; develops larger leaves with a moss pole and bright light.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet 'erubescens' means 'blushing'. 'White Princess' is a horticultural cultivar name.
White Princess' is a white-variegated cultivar of Philodendron erubescens (parent species native to Colombia). It is a self-heading to moderately climbing plant whose green leaves carry clean white streaks and sectors, sometimes with pink or cream highlights on the stems. As with all chimeric variegates, bright indirect light is needed to keep the variegation from reverting.
Aroid mix (40% orchid bark, 40% coco coir, 20% perlite). Repot every 12–18 months in spring; provide a moss pole. Variegated forms prefer well-draining substrate.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root rot from overwatering; loss of variegation/colour and leggy growth in low light; spider mites and mealybugs in dry air; brown leaf tips from low humidity or tap-water minerals.
- White Princess' shows crisp white streaks rather than the pink of Pink Princess.
- Stems often carry small pink or cream flecks alongside the white leaf variegation.
- Like all variegated erubescens cultivars, it needs bright indirect light to hold its pattern.