Family: Araceae
Common name: Philodendron Green Princess, Green princess, Philodendron Piccolo, Monstera minima, Philodendron Ginny, Mini Monstera
Philodendron green princess is a beautiful ornamental plant loved for their beautiful, glossy green foliage and quick-growing nature. The genus Philodendron has over 130 species of unique and beautiful house plants, all of them excellent garden plants.
Plant characteristics
Like most Philodendrons, Green Princess plants are epiphytes, which means that they love to grow on tree trunks or rocky areas where their roots can cling to surfaces. The roots are thick and robust enabling them to cling as well as draw nutrients and moisture from the atmosphere.
Green princess plants can grow to a height of 1-2 meters if they are allowed to climb on trellises, fences, moss poles, or supporting structures. The stem is green in color and capable of growing long vines that enable the plant to climb.
If the plant does not find a way to climb, they are usually restricted in height, but can look pretty in a pot. Leaves are dark green, glossy, and roughly lance-shaped. Younger leaves look particularly attractive since they are bright green, almost phosphorescent.
When grown in bright, direct sunlight, the leaf edges can get scorched and the color can fade. In complete shade, the plant can get lanky and lifeless. So make sure you grow Green princess plants in places where they get filtered sunlight, and good moisture.
Flowers of the Green Princess have the typical spadix and spathe arrangement of the Araceae family like Anthuriums and Peace lilies. The spathe is a modified leaf that surrounds the spadix, which is a rod-like structure that holds the tiny flowers.
Green princess flowers are simple and unnoticeable, pale green or white in color. Hence these plants are mostly grown as ornamental leafy plants, and not for their flowers. Flowering happens mostly during the warmer months, though these plants can flower at any time of the year in warm, tropical weather.
Green princess plants are capable of producing fruits in the wild, in their natural habitats, but these are almost never seen in house plants. Hence propagation happens vegetatively from stem cuttings or root division.
Gardening tips
In their natural surroundings, Philodendron plants grow on the trunks of trees or rotting logs, in the shade of larger trees. Hence they prefer filtered, indirect sunlight.
Do not keep them in the bright sun as it can scorch the leaves. These plants can be grown indoors near sunny windows, but they cannot be kept in complete shade like a foyer or bathroom that gets no sunlight.
Green princess plants need good moisture and regular watering. In hot summer months, the plants should also be misted so that the roots don’t dry out. Keeping the plant pot in a tray filled with water can help maintain the humidity it needs.
They cannot tolerate frost, so make sure you bring them indoors during cold, frosty weather. Fertilize the plant once in 2-3 months with a water-soluble, light fertilizer as they are not heavy feeders. Pruning can help remove any diseased or yellowing branches to keep the plant healthy.
Uses of Philodendron Green Princess
These plants are mostly grown as ornamental plants in pots or hanging baskets. Most parts of the plant have toxicity, and should not be eaten by pets or humans. Make sure you keep the plant away from pets and small children who might accidentally consume the leaves.
Wash the hands well after handling the plants. Prune with scissors or knives and not with bare hands as this can cause skin irritation and itching. Philodendron plants make good air purifiers removing methane and formaldehyde from the atmosphere.
Since these plants can be grown indoors, they are an excellent choice for offices at the reception or on the desk where they add greenery and charm to the spaces they are in. If you want them to grow tall, keep a moss stick in the pot for the plants to climb on.
Propagation
Propagation is through stem cuttings and root division.
Since Green Princess plants do not produce fruits or flowers, propagation is through stem cuttings and root division. Any piece of stem with a node can root well in water or soil in a few days producing a new plant.
When the parent plant becomes too big for the pot it is growing in, it should be repotted. The large root mass can be gently divided at that time into separate plants that can then be replanted separately.
Photographed at: Thrissur, Kerala
