Alocasia Pink Princess Plant, Grow & Care Guide 2023

When you hear of the Alocasia pink princess, or better, get to see it, curiosity gets the better of you to know more about this gem. This striking and tall Alocasia truly deserves the name ‘Pink Princes.’ The Pink Princess will give your greens a pop of color.

It’s rapidly becoming plant enthusiasts’ and collectors’ favorite because of its remarkable growing effort, durability, bright-pink stems, and many more attractive features, as discussed in this post. Here is all you need to know of the Alocasia pink princess, including its care tips and propagation process. 

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What is The Alocasia Pink Princess

The pink princess is a colorful tropical plant belonging to the family Araceae. Similar to its relatives in the Alocasia plant family; the pink princess is famous for its unique look and beauty.

However, the distinguishing feature of the Alocasia pink princess that sets it apart from other species in the family Araceae is its bright arrow-shaped leaves shooting from pink branches. 

Also, its remarkable climbing effort, reaching a height of 4 feet, makes it the perfect houseplant for households with high ceilings. Furthermore, the large arrow-shaped leaves, lustrous with a dark-green surface, have a unique veining pattern on the underside. These light green veins add striking leaf variegation to any household collection seen in no other plants. 

The Alocasia pink princess thrives under high humidity levels with bright indirect light similar to its natural environment in the tropics. As a result, it’s a relatively high-maintenance plant requiring regular watering, especially during the dry season.

Also, its lighting requirement and overall maintenance can be somewhat overwhelming for beginners but don’t worry, as this post will adequately guide you on the care of this gem. But first, let’s take a detailed look at the origin and notable features of the pink princess.

Origin and Classification

Alocasia pink princess is a tropical plant in the Araceae family, native to SouthEast Asia and Australia. In some contexts, some individuals and plant stores classify the pink princess as the Alocasia Pink Dragon.

However, some distinct features set these two apart, including the underside’s deep veins resembling a dragon’s scale found in the Alocasia Pink Dragon. 

The Alocasia pink princess thrives under high humidity and sunlight in its natural habitat. It can grow up to 4 feet in height and 2.6 feet in width. When grown indoors, it’s important to replicate these requirements by placing your pink princess in good lighting and giving it space to showcase its growing ability. 

Features of Alocasia Pink Princess

Acquiring your first pink princess can be confusing, considering its similarities with its other Alocasia cousins. The Alocasia genus has over 70 easily confused or misidentified species due to rampant hybridization. However, here are some stand-alone features of the pink princess: 

1. Leaves

The Alocasia pink princess has broad arrow-shaped leaves that can grow up to 20 inches large. This plant’s leaves have a further decorative touch, including silver markings and deep veins. The leaves’ underside has an elegant burgundy. Each leaf grows separately per stem. The good news is that if a leaf falls off, it will quickly sprout from a bulb. 

2. Stem

Perhaps the most notable feature of the pink princess is its stem. This plant has bright pink branches, hence the name pink princess. These distinct pink stems bear one leaf each and have a bulb where leaves sprout from. 

3. Height

Height is another notable feature of the pink princess. It can grow up to 4 feet if cared for well enough. Even better, with attentive care, the pink princess can last several years and maintain a towering height. In addition, they have a fast-growing speed making the pink princess ideal for spaces with high ceilings.

Basic Care of Alocasia Pink Princess

In plain terms, the pink princess isn’t a low-maintenance plant compared to most household plants. This is especially true for beginners. Still, this shouldn’t deter plant collectors or enthusiasts from adding this unique Alocasia to their collection.

If you adhere to the following care guidelines, you will find it incredibly easy to maintain this plant, and it will reward you with its striking beauty. 

1. Lighting

The Alocasia pink princess is a light-loving plant. In its native environment, the tropics, the pink princess receives adequate sunlight throughout the year. Therefore, it’s vital to duplicate these requirements when kept indoors.

Still, don’t subject it to the midday sun; else, you risk having scorching and brown leaves. Instead, bright, indirect light is ideal for the pink princess to thrive. 

If you notice crispy brown leaves in your alocasia pink princess, then there is a high probability it’s receiving too much light. On the other hand, if leaves are dropping off, there is a high chance your plant needs more sunlight. As such, you must find optimal lighting requirements for your pink princess.

A rule of thumb is placing it 3 feet from a window or in a room receiving a lot of reflected sunlight. 

2. Watering

The pink princess isn’t a drought-resistance plant. As a result, it requires regular watering, especially in the dry season. Moisture keeps this plant healthy but still ensure the soil isn’t soggy. A water meter will prove helpful when watering Alocasia pink princess. In such cases, ensure the plant’s soils register 4-5 on the water meter. 

During the winter season, Alocasia plants require less water since it is their dormancy period. As a result, they absorb less water to survive, and excess moisture can harm their roots. 

Watering can be tricky for Alocasia plants, but it will become more streamlining once you understand your pink princess’s needs. For a starting point, never allow the soil to dry or become soggy. 

3. Temperature and Humidity

Alocasia pink princess thrives in warm, humid environments between 18 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius ( 65℉- 85℉ ). However, if temperatures go below 60℉ or 15 degrees Celsius, for example, during winter, the pink princess becomes dormant. This means that your plant stops growing and either stagnates or dies back. 

Don’t worry. This is a natural process for Alocasia plants, and your pink princess will regrow when warm and bright conditions return. Still, it would be best to delay or induce dormancy by keeping steady temperatures indoors when the temperature falls outdoors to get the best from your Alocasia pink princess. 

Most importantly, the pink princess doesn’t like sudden temperature changes. This can cause the plant to wilt, drop leaves or die completely. So again, maintain steady temperatures by placing it close to a window. During winter, careful attention by misting the plant and keeping it in a warm spot will keep it healthy. 

4. Soil Requirement

Alocasia pink needs loose, porous, and well-drained soils to thrive. Even better, providing a quality potting soil mix of peat moss and organic compost boosts your plant’s growth and optimal root health. 

5. Potting

The pink princess is a fast grower and therefore will need repotting preferably, once per year. Once it doubles in size, move it to a larger container with a drainage hole. The standard rule is for the new pot to be 1-2 inches larger in diameter and height than the former pot. It should also be well draining. 

6. Fertilizer Requirement

The pink princess needs frequent feeding during its growing season. Fertilize this plant every two or three weeks during the spring and summer using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer., it’s best to add a water-soluble fertilizer at half strength to keep up with its heavy feeding requirement. Feed your pink princess once every month in the late fall and winter season.  

Also, consider enhancing the soil’s fertility by adding organic compost and scratching it meticulously into the soil’s top inches without affecting the plant’s roots. 

7. Toxicity

Although beautiful and striking, it’s advisable to minimize direct contact with the Alocasia Pink Princess since it’s mildly toxic to humans and pets. Ingesting this plant can cause swelling of the mouth and tongue, and improper handling leads to skin and eye irritation. 

8. Cleaning

You now understand why the Alocasia pink princess is classified as a somewhat high-maintenance plant. First, gently clean your plant with a damp paper towel once a month. Next, wipe the stem’s base toward the leaves’ tip, doing both sides. 

Propagating Alocasia Pink Princess

Propagation helps to keep your plant optimally healthy and enables collectors to turn a single pink princess into many beautiful plants. Also, removing yellow and dead leaves ensures this plant maintains its beauty and stays healthy. 

Considering Alocasia plants grow from a central rhizome, it’s best to propagate the pink princess by dividing the rhizomes instead of cuttings. That is separating a growth clump and planting in water. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to handle the process: 

1. Remove the pink process from the pot and shake off excess soil from the roots. 
2. Find the plant’s clumps or tubers. This is relatively straightforward, considering Alocasia plants have individual root systems. Then carefully divide the tubers using a pair of scissors.
3. You can plant the new clump in a separate pot filled with loose, porous, and well-drained soil. 

Common Problems Caring For Alocasia Pink Princess

Problems with the pink princess rarely occur. However, failing to meet this plant’s care level might cause the following issues: 

1. Dead or Wilting Leaves

Sudden temperature fluctuations cause the pink princess to drop its leaves. Therefore, maintain steady temperatures by placing your plant in an area near a draft or where sudden temperature changes occur. 

Remove any dead or wilting leaves on the surface of the soil. Also, prune all affected leaves. 

2. Stem and Root Rot

To avoid root rot, ensure your plant’s soil isn’t soggy and doesn’t dry out completely. Root rot will eventually spread to the stems and leaves if left untreated. In such cases, prune the affected branches and leaves. Also, it will be helpful if you change the soil and wash the pot with relevant solutions to eradicate the root rot disease.

3. Pests

Unfortunately, the alocasia pink princess isn’t a pest-resistant plant. Regular cleaning is needed to eliminate spider mites, mealybugs, and thrip. Always ensure your plant is free from dust and moisture buildup. Finally, consider using the appropriate insecticides, fungicides, and bactericides solutions to treat your ailing pink princess. 

Outro

The Alocasia princess is the perfect plant to add tropical flair and color burst to any household or garden. It’s ideal for spaces that need lush decor as long as you duplicate its native environment. In addition, its unique leaf variegation adds a special touch to any household collection seen in no other plant. 

Ensure you give your pink princess sufficient water, especially during the dry season, and subject it to bright, indirect light. Paying close attention to this ornamental plant is the best course of action to ensure you get the best out of it. This plant will thrive in loose, porous, and well-drained soil. Summing it up, its ease of propagation ensures plant enthusiasts have an unlimited supply of this beauty. 

Frequently Asked Questions