The Prince of Orange is a stunning philodendron cultivar. There are over 400 accepted species in the Philodendron genus, yet somehow Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ manages to stand out among them. This plant isn’t a climber like some of the others, and it possesses several other unique qualities that set it apart. One thing it shares, however, is its easygoing nature.
If you’re looking for a showstopper of a plant to break up the monotony of green, look no further than the gorgeous Prince of Orange. It’s vibrant and unique without the fuss that comes with many of the most eye-catching house plants. This is a fairly rare hybrid, so you might have to do some searching if you’re interested in bringing one home. It’s worth the small effort of looking around for a nursery or fellow plant enthusiast!
If you already have a Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ in your care, this guide will show you how to make the most of it! Philodendrons, in general, have long lifespans. They can live 20 years or longer, so you could potentially have decades with this breathtaking plant.
| Common Name | Prince of Orange, Orange Prince |
| Botanical Name | Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ |
| Native Areas | South America |
| Light/Sun Requirements | Bright, indirect light (low-light tolerant) |
| Water | Moderate, do not overwater |
| Soil | Well-draining, nutrient-dense, slightly acidic |
| Temperature | 65-85°F |
| Humidity | At least 50% |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA Zones 10 to 11 |
Appearance
The Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ probably seems straightforward. It’s an orange plant. That’s right there in the name. This beauty is no one-trick pony, though. It has much more going on than just orange! Its foliage goes through several different color stages as it grows and matures.
New leaves come in with a vivid burst of orange, which of course earned this cultivar its name. That bright orange shifts toward peach tones and then into a softer yellow. It goes through shades and blends of yellow, copper, and green until, at last, the mature leaves settle into an olive green.
While it’s true that the ‘orange’ in your Prince of Orange won’t last forever, this plant regularly produces new leaves. The constant cycle of new growth and maturation makes it a beautiful tricolor plant. It doesn’t play one note. Instead, it’s a whole medley of color!
The Prince of Orange has another unique quality. It’s a self-heading plant, meaning that its leaves grow from the center of the plant. Many other species within the Philodendron genus are vining, climbing plants, so their leaves grow on vines.
These plants grow to around two feet tall, so they’re fairly compact compared to some other Philodendron species out there. The leaves are long and oval-shaped and grow rapidly, so you’ll have a constant flow of different colors.
Care Requirements
Philodendrons are notorious for being beginner-friendly plants. While a total novice might avoid starting with a cultivar like Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ due to their relative rarity, there’s no reason to be intimidated! These colorful plants are adaptable and tolerant of a range of different conditions.
Light
Vibrant color is the hallmark of Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ and bright, indirect light keeps them vivid. These plants are tolerant of low light, however. You won’t lose them if you have an inadequate setup or positioning, but they won’t be nearly as colorful. If you’ve gone out of your way to get this cultivar, don’t put it in a shadowy corner and let it fade away.
East-facing windows are perfect choices. They’ll get the level of light they crave without the risk of leaf scorch and burn. Too much light is a risk and it can damage the plant. Don’t place your Prince of Orange into direct light. If you notice brown edges or brown spots on the leaves, try a different location to avoid further burning.
If you’re keeping this plant in an office or other low-light space, grow lights are a great option, too. Keep them on for around eight hours a day to get your plant friend all the light it requires.
Water
The Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ prefers moist soil. The simplest way to tell when it needs water is to perform the finger test. Press your fingertip into the soil and if the top few inches feel dry, it’s time to reach for the watering can. Water the plant thoroughly, but make sure there’s plenty of drainage to get rid of the excess.
All species in the Philodendron genus are susceptible to root rot. It’s one of the easiest ways to lose your plant. While you don’t want to let the soil dry out completely, going too far in the other direction and overwatering can be a real danger for this plant.
Warmer temperatures will likely require more frequent watering, especially during the growing season. Once winter rolls around, you can ease off your watering schedule and do it less frequently.
Soil
Well-draining soil with a lot of aeration is essential for the Prince of Orange. It’s happy with plenty of organic matter and nutrients, meaning there are plenty of potting soil options out there that will work. African Violet or succulent soil mixes are great for this plant.
If you go with commercial potting soil, kick it up a notch by adding extra drainage materials. You don’t want your plant to get waterlogged or leave it sitting in soggy soil. Don’t get a mix with moisture-retaining crystals or anything that increases the risk of root rot or fungal infection.
Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ likes its soil to be slightly acidic, though neutral is also fine. Keep the pH somewhere between 6.0 and 7.0
Temperature
As a tropical plant, your Prince of Orange will always prefer things on the warmer side. With that said, most household temperatures will suit it perfectly fine. As long as it’s kept in an environment between 65-85°F, you won’t run into any problems. Warmer tempers (around 70ºF) are the sweet spot for this plant. You’ll see the most vibrant foliage and quickest, healthiest growth under those conditions.
Don’t expect it to tolerate the cold, though. Anything below 55°F puts it at risk for stunted growth, and particularly cold temperatures could cause you to lose your plant entirely. Keep it away from cold drafts in the winter. If you have other tropical plants, you’ll likely already know all the tricks and have an adequate setup.
Humidity
A warm, humid environment is a paradise for the Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’. Do your best to replicate that and your plant is sure to thrive. Preferably, maintain 50% humidity or higher. If your home has dry air, put a humidifier nearby or mist your plant with clean, room-temperature water every day. Clustering your tropical plants together helps maintain humidity levels, too. Give the prince a few friends!
Fertilizer
During the growing season, pick up a well-balanced liquid fertilizer. Feed your plant once a month, diluting the fertilizer according to instructions. In winter and periods of slower growth, you can cut back significantly on fertilizing.
Pruning
You won’t have much pruning to do for this plant. Since it doesn’t climb and isn’t a vining species, there’s nothing to cut back. Keep an eye out for dead or decaying leaves, though. If you notice unnatural yellowing, which looks different from the yellow shades its leaves go through as they grow, remove them from the rest of the plant. Generally speaking, you don’t want to leave unhealthy parts attached. Prune those away with clean shears.
Propagation
Is one plant ever enough? Certainly not when they’re as beautiful as the Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange.’ Luckily, it’s easy to propagate this plant with stem cuttings. Take a cutting of a healthy size (cut it just below the node) and place it into a container of clean water or moist soil. Either method will work. Place the cutting into bright, indirect light, and it will establish a new root system within a few weeks! If you choose water propagation, plant your newly-rooting plant into its soil and start a regular care routine.
Signs of Pests and Disease
There are a few things to look out for as you care for your Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange.’ If you see any of the following issues, don’t waste any time. Figure out what’s causing it and treat your plant, especially if it’s showing signs of root rot.
- Brown Leaves – Brown leaves can be a sign of a few different problems, so you’ll have to assess its environment. If your plant is receiving too much direct sun, you may see brown spots or brown edges. The same is true if you’re not watering it frequently enough or the humidity is too low. In general, take it as a sign that something is drying up or burning your plant.
- Yellowing Leaves – Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering or a sign of sap-sucking pests like aphids. Both issues should be addressed right away. If you don’t see any other signs of pest activity, get ready to repot your plant in an attempt to save it from soggy soil.
- Pale or Discolored Leaves – If you’re not seeing the vibrant foliage this plant is known for, it needs more light. Try moving it closer to a window (preferably not a west-facing window) or adding grow lights.
Final Thoughts
You simply can’t go wrong with this plant. The Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ has a short list of demands. It’s easy to take care of and has a look like no other. Reach out to a nursery or private grower to track one of these tricolor plants down!
