Difference Between Philodendron White Princess vs White Knight vs White Wizard?

Philodendron enthusiasts often find themselves drawn to the beautiful and elusive varieties known as the White Knight, White Princess, and White Wizard. These three stunning plants are part of what many collectors refer to as the "Triple Crown" of Philodendrons. While they all share striking white variegation, each has unique characteristics that make it stand out.

In this article, we'll see the differences of these philodendron plants, particularly focusing on the white wizard vs white princess. We will answer the main question "Which one is the perfect fit for your space".

Part 1- Comparing the Triple Crown Philodendrons

The main differences between the Philodendron White Princess, White Knight, and White Wizard lie in their leaf shape, stem color, and growth habits. Whether you're drawn to the unique variegation of the White Princess, the dramatic stems of the White Knight, or the impressive leaf size of the White Wizard, each plant offers something special.

These Philodendrons are easy to care for, thrive in medium to bright indirect light, and will add a vibrant touch of nature to your home.

Feature	White Princess	White Knight	White Wizard
Growth Rate	Slow, compact	Moderate	Faster growing, with larger leaves
Mature Height	Typically smaller, around 12-24 inches	Can reach 4-6 feet	Can reach 3-5 feet
Leaf Size	Smaller, up to 6 inches long	Medium, up to 8 inches long	Larger, up to 10 inches long
Variegation Pattern	Mottled, can shift and intensify with new growth	-	Stable, but white areas may brown with too much light or excessive watering
Variegation Stability	Variegation can vary in intensity	Relatively stable	Stable
Aesthetic Impact of Stem	Subtle contrast, adds to delicate appearance	Strong contrast with leaf variegation	Bright white leaf patches stand out against stems
Leaf Texture	Smooth	Smooth, can vary slightly with conditions	Smooth
Overall Look	Delicate, more elongated	Fuller, more classic philodendron appearance	Fewer but larger, more substantial leaves
Availability	More commonly available	Somewhat rarer, found in specialized shops or from collectors	Harder to find, but can vary by region
Relative Difficulty to Find	Easier	Moderate	Challenging

Part 2- Pros & Cons of Triple Crown Philodendrons:

Let's explore them one by one.

Option 1- Philodendron White Princess

The Philodendron White Princess is a stunning tropical plant that brings a beautiful pop of color to any home or office. Known for its narrow, arrow-shaped leaves with vibrant white variegation, this plant is a must-have for any plant lover. Unlike its counterparts, the White Princess often features pink variegation, adding a unique twist to its appearance. This slow-growing, self-heading plant thrives in medium to bright indirect light and requires minimal repotting, making it an easy-care option.

➜ Pros: Striking variegation with green, white, and sometimes pink tones, making it a visually diverse and attractive plant.

➜ Cons: Requires bright, indirect light to maintain its variegation, and insufficient light can lead to reversion (loss of variegation).

Option 2- Philodendron White Knight

The Philodendron White Knight stands out with its dark burgundy or purple stems contrasted by green leaves with white variegation. This climbing Philodendron grows slowly but steadily, reaching impressive heights with the right support. Its heart-shaped leaves and vibrant stem color make it a striking addition to any indoor jungle. Like its relatives, the White Knight prefers medium to bright indirect light and should be watered when the soil is halfway dry.

➜ Pros: Unique appearance with white and green variegated leaves paired with reddish or purplish stems, making it stand out among philodendrons.

➜ Cons: Slow growth rate compared to other philodendrons, which can test the patience of growers.

Option 3- Philodendron White Wizard 

The Philodendron White Wizard is perhaps the most elusive of the three, known for its large, rounded leaves with bright green and white sectoral variegation. This climber grows faster than the White Knight and White Princess, often producing fewer but larger leaves. The white wizard philodendron is easily identified by its all-green stems with white streaks, making it a unique and sought-after plant for collectors. Like the others, it thrives in medium to bright indirect light and should be watered only when the soil is partially dry.

➜ Pros: Compact growth habit and beautiful creamy-white variegation make it an excellent choice for indoor spaces.

➜ Cons: More susceptible to browning on its white variegation due to its sensitivity to overwatering or direct sunlight.

Buy Triple Crown Philodendrons

Want to bring one of these stunning Philodendrons into your collection? Check out our available products:

• Philodendron White Princess
• Philodendron White Knight
• Philodendron White Wizard

Note: Be sure to provide these plants with the right care and conditions to enjoy their beauty for years to come. How to take care of the Philodendron White

Part 3- Guidance for Philodendron Plant Care

Philodendron is a meek plant species with minimal requirements for thriving. With some good care, this green buddy offers a revitalizing, earthy environment. It’s important to take care of its requirements for a healthy plant. 

Here is a breakdown for guidance on different philodendron plant care aspects:

1. Lightning

Philodendron White Princess prefers bright but indirect light for optimal growth. Placing it directly in sunlight can scorch its pretty foliage. It also grows in dimly lit spaces, but the leaves are less variegated in improper light. Place your plant near a south or west-facing window for adequate light interaction. 

2. Watering Schedule

Philodendron doesn’t like to be over-watered. The golden rule is to check for dryness on the top layer. Poke a finger 1-2 inches deep in the pot and check for moisture. If moist, water it on another day. Moisture can vary for different Philodendron plant types. 

The plant is sensitive to salt accumulation due to water. Use filtered water or flush out the salts by watering the container regularly. Use draining pots or dig a hole beneath it to drain the pot well. 

3. Soil Mixture

A well-draining potting mix is the ideal soil condition. Use loamy soil with perlite and sand for good moisture and drainage. Prefer to maintain a slightly acidic (5.5-6.5) or a neutral environment. 

4. Humidity and Temperature

The temperature acceptance varies for different Philodendron species. Ideally, the Philodendron White Wizard prefers a warmer environment, 65-85°F and high humidity. Exposure to colder temperatures, like near a chiller, can lead to their death. If the humidity is low, mist the plant with a spray bottle or use a humidifier if needed. 

5. Fertilizer

Fertilizers play a key role in assisting your plant to thrive. The Philodendron is undernourished if your plant appears yellow or has shunted growth. A monthly dose of the ordinary farmer’s fertilizer is adequate in spring and summer. 

For better foliage, use balanced liquid fertilizer or nitrogen-rich fertilizer. In colder months, philodendrons go through an era of dormancy. Reduce the fertilizer quantity until spring. 

6. Pruning

Give your plants a good haircut when needed. Prune the yellow leaves and edges with sharp shears. Although Philodendrons prefer it all year round, shape your plant in the summers. Cut the foliage near the base with sharp pruners for a healthy plant.

Part 4- What diseases do philodendrons get?

Philodendrons can get diseased due to malnourishment or poor living environment. Here is a table explaining some common diseases. 

Disease	Cause	Symptoms/Plant Appearance	Treatment
Leaf Spot	High humidity, Bacterial Infection	Brownish, tan, or black water spots. Leaf yellowing.	Remove affected leaves and improve ventilation to control humidity. Copper fungicide.
Anthracnose	High Humidity, Fungal infection	Dark sunken areas on leaves surrounded by yellow halos	Prune leaves, improve ventilation and water drainage, Copper Fungicide
Pythium Root Rot	Overwatering, Poorly draining soil	Soft roots, wilting yellowing leaves	Repot with fresh soil and prune affected roots. Drain the pot.
Botrytis Blight	Fungal infection due to high humidity and cold conditions.	Gray moldy appearance on stems and leaves.	Copper Fungicide. Prune affected foliage and improve ventilation.
Powdery Mildew	Fungal infection, High humidity, and over-watering.	White, powdery leaves.	Remove infected leaves. Spray Fungicide.

Part 5- Propagating Philodendron: Nurturing New Growth with Confidence

Whether you want to expand your army of Philodendrons or give a gift to someone, propagate them by stem cuttings or divisions. The preferred time to grow a plant is in early spring when the days are longer, and the weather is pleasant. 

Whether it's a Philodendron white princess or a Philodendron white knight- the steps to propagate are the same.

Propagating via Division:

Division requires repotting the entire plant and cutting off any offshoots and plantlets. If not done correctly, this can be slightly traumatizing for the plant. 

1 Water your plant well one day before division. Prepare another pot with soil for the new repotting.

2 Grip the plant from the stem and rotate it until the roots become loose. Then, hold it upright and look for small plantlets with roots.

3 Use a sharp shear to cut plantlets and replant them in another pot.

Now, provide optimal conditions for your little Philodendron to grow. Help it thrive and survive so that it can grow bigger. 

Propagating via Stemming:

Stemming is an easier way to grow new plants. You need sterilized shears, soil, a pot, and optional rooting boosters. 

1 Use sterilized scissors to cut a 6-inch stem from a healthy Philodendron plant cleanly. Cut below a node with 2-3 leaves present.

2 Place the nodal end of the stem in the water, nourished with some root-growing hormone.

3 Let the stem sit in for 3-4 weeks until small roots develop. Carefully change the water in between to stop the growth of algae.

4 When rooting starts, plant the stem in a pot and bury the entire node. For optimal growth, start with regular plant care.

Philodendrons are low-maintenance and trouble-free houseplants. With little requirements, they bloom and bring in serenity. Grow it for yourself, or gift a little Philodendron to your friends.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How do you identify a philodendron white wizard?

The white variegation often has an irregular pattern. The markings are sometimes just speckles, while sometimes large areas of the leaf are covered by a creamy white or bright white color. The stems are green, unlike the White Princess variety which might have reddish or pinkish stems. The growth pattern is compact and bushy.

2. Does philodendron White Princess turn pink?

Yes, the Philodendron White Princess may sometimes take on pink tones in the variegation. This is due to its genetics, and it will have characteristics that include green, white, and pink variegation. The pink, however, is less prominent compared to green and white, but lighting and care may help the tones come out more.

3. Do white knights like to be root-bound?

Philodendron White Knights, like most philodendrons, tolerate being slightly root-bound but thrive best when they have space for their roots to grow. Keeping them in a pot that is too small for an extended period can hinder growth and lead to poor nutrient absorption. Repotting every couple of years or when roots begin to circle the pot is recommended.

4. Is Philodendron White Wizard rare?

Yes, the Philodendron White Wizard is rare. It is rare because of this unusual variegation, and slow growth compared to some other philodendrons, and not much is available in the market. Collectors or horticulturists often seek such items, which makes them scarce and expensive in comparison with most houseplants.