Houseplants with shade-changing foliage are always pleasant to be around. These unique gifts of nature create a sense of freshness to ditch the monotony of life. We are going to discuss the Prince of Orange Plant, belonging to the famous Philodendron family. The elongated leaves grow from the center of the basal stem in bright yellow color. These baby leaves grow by showing shades of copper, finally turning lime green on maturity.
This self-heading trailing hybrid can grow up to 2 feet forming a little bush. You can grow the Orange Philodendron in a pot or container to beautify your home or office. This plant is surely bright enough to refresh your mood in your surroundings. Take my words, folks! Let us learn more about the beautiful Philodendron Prince of Orange along with its care and maintenance.
Prince of Orange Plant Classification
Family: Araceae.
Genus: Philodendron.
Genus Philodendron
This is the second-largest genus of the family comprising around 500 plant species. C.Plumier officially introduced the genus in the 16th century. However, they have enjoyed a place in folk, art, and medicine in different cultures for ages. These flowering plants belong to the rainforests of Central and Southern America.
The name is a combination of the words ‘Philo’ and ‘dendron’. This means tree hugger and is about the trailing nature of these plants.
Features of the Prince of Orange Plant
Height
- This compact grower can grow up to 2 feet on maturity.
Leaves
- Each elongated oval-shaped leaf grows about 5 to 10 inches in length.
- These leaves grow from the base of the plant body.
Toxicity
Just like all other siblings, this hybrid also carries the legacy of toxicity. The plant body contains crystals of calcium oxalate and is toxic for humans and pets. Moreover, ingestion may lead to health issues like allergies, nausea, and vomiting. Thus, make sure you don’t let kids and pets mingle with this Orange Plant.
Philodendron Orange vs. Other varieties
Don’t get confused between this peep and the others because of their striking resemblance.
- The Congo Philodendron is a popular similar plant. You can differentiate between them with the comparatively larger size of the Congo plant. On the other hand, the Orange remains smaller than 2 feet.
- The ‘Autumn’ plant grows coppery-red leaves which eventually grow to deep olive green.
Prince of Orange Philodendron Care
No fuss and no tricky demands! This low-maintenance peep will blush around you without needing any effort from your side. Just provide the basic Philodendron Care to keep this plant happy.
Water Requirements
The simple soak and dry Philodendron watering strategy go well for this plant. Keep it in moist but non-soggy soil. Water generously until the drainage holes start seeping. Now, let the upper 2 inches of the soil get dry before you water again.
Now, let us discuss the frequency. It depends upon the temperature and humidity in the surrounding. About once to thrice in ten to fifteen days is enough in summer and spring. On the other hand, once every ten to fourteen days is enough for the days of fall and winter.
Over-watering is harmful to the plant. So, make sure you water carefully to avoid issues like fungus and root rot.
Sunlight Requirements
Bright indirect sunlight is ideal to keep the Prince Orange Plant happy. Just make sure you keep it away from direct sunlight.
Temperature Requirements
The typical temperature of Philodendron Care ranges from 16 to 24 °C is suitable for the plant. These plants show poor tolerance for severe temperatures. So, keep them away from cold and fierce hot spots.
Don’t forget to transfer them to some spot of the suitable temperature range in winter and summer.
Humidity Requirements
The plant can do well in average humidity levels. However, the Orange Prince will flourish in a moisture level of above 50%.
Soil Requirements
Use well-draining and rich soil to grow this plant.
Fertilizer Requirement
This delicate peep doesn’t need heavy feeding. Use a light fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. You can use any good quality water-soluble house plant fertilizers. Moreover, an organic equivalent to 5-5-5 or lower is also recommended by the experts.
The plant can’t bear heavy nutrition. Browning of leaf edges and curling of foliage are the possible symptoms of over-fertilizing.
Pruning Requirements
Apart from the fresh growths, the older leaves at the edge also get yellow. So, careful pruning on warm days results in healthy growth and a pleasant appearance.
Re-potting Requirements
No need to repot unless the plant gets prominently bigger from the plant.
Growth Zones
The UDA growth zone 9 to 11 are ideal for the plant.
Prince of Orange Plant Propagation
You can make new Prince Orange Plants pretty easily. Enjoy the love and appreciation by gifting them to your friends and family.
Seeds, stem-cutting, and air-layering are the popular methods for propagating these plants. However, the seed method is quite slow and needs much time and experience.
Propagation by stem-cutting
- The ideal time to propagate the plant is the warm days of spring and summer. Just cut the stem above below the leaf node.
- Now, plant it in moist soil, vermiculite, or pet moss. Make sure you plant the cutting about 3 inches deeper in the soil keeping the nodes under the soil.
- Keep the set up in at some warm spot with indirect light of medium intensity.
- Keep the soil mildly moist by spray watering the soil twice a week.
- The roots will develop in 3 to 4 weeks, followed by the shoot development after the first month.
Water Propagation
You can grow the cuttings in water as well. Just dip the cutting in a jar of water. Make sure you change the water every 2 days.
Once the roots develop, you can transfer the baby plant to soil. Moreover, just let them grow in water to enjoy this colorful peep.
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Summary
The Prince of Orange Plant is a self-heading perennial hybrid. The leaves show a beautiful transition throughout their life cycle giving a bright touch to your surrounding. The yellow baby leaves grow to show hues of copper finally turning lime green on maturity. This indoor peep usually remains under 2 feet.
You can grow them in pots, containers or even hanging baskets. The Philodendron Prince of Orange Care includes bright indirect light and frequent watering. If you are looking for a low-maintenance indoor plant, don’t forget to consider this eye-candy, the Philodendron Prince of Orange.
