Ultimate guide to Common problems with pink houseplants and how to fix them
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which helps sustain our blog!
We love pink indoor plants. They add a little drama, a little charm—until they start acting up. Faded leaves, brown tips, or droopy stems? Been there. If you’ve ever wondered why your Pink Princess Philodendron is suddenly mostly green or why your Stromanthe Triostar looks like it lost a fight with the sun, we’ve got you.
Some pink plants can be divas. They want bright light but not too much, water but not too often, and some even throw tantrums if the humidity isn’t just right. Let’s go through the most annoying, confusing, and downright frustrating issues we’ve faced with pink houseplants—and how we fixed them.
Why Are My Pink Indoor Plants Losing Their Color?
Not Enough Light (The #1 Culprit)
You know how pink plants look all gorgeous in the nursery, then you bring them home and they fade? Yeah, that’s low light messing with you. Pink Princess Philodendrons, Stromanthe Triostar, and Pink calathea need bright, indirect light—otherwise, their pink gets dull, sometimes completely disappearing.
Keep these plants near a bright east or south-facing window with a sheer curtain if the sun is too harsh.
Too Much Fertilizer (Green Takeover)
Here’s the thing—more fertilizer does not mean more pink. In fact, too much nitrogen can make a Pink Princess Philodendron pump out solid green leaves, which totally defeats the purpose. Read also: Best fertilizers and soil for pink houseplants
Variegation Reversion (Some Plants Just Don’t Care)
Sometimes, no matter what you do, a plant decides, Nope, I’m going green. This happens when a plant loses its variegation gene expression, and sadly, there’s no magic fix.
Your best bet: Prune the green leaves and hope the new ones come in pink. If a plant keeps reverting, though, it might be time to cut your losses and try propagating a stem with more pink.
Why Are the Leaves on My Pink Plant Turning Brown or Crispy?
Low Humidity (These Plants Hate Dry Air)
Most pink plants are tropical, which means they hate dry air. If your Triostar, Pink Syngonium, or Calathea has crispy brown edges, blame low humidity.
We once thought misting was enough. Nope. It just made the leaves spotty. A humidifier is the best solution—aim for 50-60% humidity, or use a pebble tray if you don’t want to commit to a machine.
Underwatering (Oops, Dry Soil)
Ever pick up your plant and realize the soil is basically dust? Underwatering makes pink plants dry, brittle, and sad-looking.
We try to water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, not when the plant is already begging for help. Oh, and self-watering pots are absolute lifesavers if you forget to water. Read also: our favorite pots and planters for pink houseplants
Sunburn (Direct Sun = Toasted Leaves)
Some pink plants like light, but too much direct sun turns their leaves brown and crunchy. We keep these plants a few feet away from a bright window or use a sheer curtain. If a plant already has sunburn spots, trim the damage, move it, and it should recover.
Why Is My Pink Indoor Plant Wilting?
Overwatering (Root Rot Nightmare)
If your pink plant is droopy and soft, check the soil—too much water might be the problem. Root rot sneaks up fast, and by the time leaves are wilting, the roots might already be mush.
Underwatering (Yes, It Causes Wilting Too)
On the flip side, dried-out soil can make a plant go limp. If the pot feels light, it’s thirsty.
A deep soak usually revives it. But if a plant is wilting even after watering, check the roots—it might be too late, and you’ll need to trim dead roots and repot.
Temperature Stress (Too Hot or Too Cold)
Pink plants hate temperature swings. If yours is near a drafty window, heater, or AC vent, that could be the issue.
Why Are There Spots on My Pink Plant’s Leaves?
Fungal Infections (Too Much Moisture)
If you see brown or black spots spreading, it’s probably fungus. Happens a lot in overwatered plants with bad airflow. We trim affected leaves, use neem oil, and water less to stop it from spreading. Sometimes we put it out in the open air in a shaded area for a few days.
Pests
Spider mites, thrips, mealybugs—they love pink plants. We once had a few spider mites on our Pink Princess, and within a week, they webbed up a large portion of the plant. Neem oil is your best friend in such occasions.
Conclusion
Pink plants can be dramatic, but once you figure out their quirks, they’re totally worth it. Keep them in bright, indirect light, watch your watering, and give them some humidity love.
Got a pink plant problem we didn’t cover? Drop a comment—we’re all learning here, and sometimes, the best advice comes from trial and error!
