Philodendron Mccolley’S Finale Vs Prince Of Orange: Unlock Their

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever found yourself in a nursery, completely captivated by two stunning philodendrons with fiery, colorful leaves? You’re not alone. The brilliant oranges, deep reds, and coppery tones of these plants are hard to resist, but telling them apart can feel like a real puzzle.

It’s a common dilemma for plant lovers: you see the Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ and the Philodendron ‘McColley’s Finale’ side-by-side, and they look strikingly similar. You wonder which one will hold its color better, which will fit that empty corner in your living room, and frankly, which one is the right one for you.

I promise, by the end of this guide, you’ll be able to spot the differences like a pro. We’re going to dive deep into the great philodendron mccolley’s finale vs prince of orange debate. We’ll explore their unique color journeys, compare their growth habits, and I’ll share my best care tips to make either one of these beauties the star of your indoor garden.

So, let’s get our hands dirty and solve this colorful mystery together!

First Impressions: Unraveling the Color Mystery

At a quick glance, both plants boast a spectacular show of warm colors. But as any seasoned gardener knows, the magic is in the details. Their primary difference lies in the specific shades of their new leaves and how those colors mature over time.

The Prince of Orange: A Burst of Bright Citrus

The Prince of Orange truly lives up to its royal name. Its new leaves emerge in a spectacular, almost electric shade of bright orange or sunny yellow-orange. It’s a vibrant, cheerful color that demands attention.

As these leaves mature, they transition to a lighter, often coppery-lime green, and eventually settle into a deeper shade of green. This constant cycle means a healthy Prince of Orange often displays a beautiful gradient of color all at once—from brilliant orange to deep green on a single plant.

The McColley’s Finale: A Deep, Fiery Sunset

The McColley’s Finale, on the other hand, offers a richer, more dramatic color palette. Its new foliage unfurls in a stunning, deep shade of cinnamon-brown or fiery, burnt red. Think of a deep, smoldering sunset rather than a bright morning sun.

These new leaves are intensely pigmented and have a beautiful gloss. As they age, they transition to a deep, chestnut-burgundy before finally maturing into a very dark, almost chocolatey green. The overall effect is moodier and more sophisticated than its citrus-hued cousin.

How Their Colors Change and Mature

The key takeaway here is the starting and ending point of their color journey. The Prince of Orange starts bright and light, while the McColley’s Finale starts dark and rich. This distinction is the most reliable way to tell them apart.

  • Prince of Orange: Bright Orange → Coppery-Lime → Dark Green
  • McColley’s Finale: Fiery Red/Cinnamon → Burgundy → Dark, Chocolatey Green

Remember, the intensity of these colors is directly related to the amount of light they receive—but we’ll get into that in our care guide below!

Growth Habit and Size: Which Fits Your Space?

Beyond color, their growth style—or “habit”—is another important factor. Both are considered “self-heading” philodendrons, which means they grow upright and outwards from a central base rather than vining. This makes them look more like a full, bushy shrub.

The Compact Royalty: Prince of Orange’s Growth

The Prince of Orange tends to have a slightly more compact and upright growth habit. Its leaves often point more upwards, creating a tighter, more contained shape. It’s an excellent choice for tabletops or shelves where you want a pop of color without taking up a huge amount of horizontal space.

Under ideal conditions, you can expect a mature Prince of Orange to reach about 2 feet tall and wide, making it a very manageable houseplant for most homes.

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The Broader Statement: McColley’s Finale’s Form

The McColley’s Finale often grows a bit wider and has a more open, spreading habit. Its leaves tend to be slightly broader and may arch outwards more gracefully. This gives it a slightly larger and more commanding presence as it matures.

It can also grow a little larger than the Prince of Orange, potentially reaching up to 3 feet in height and width. It makes a fantastic floor plant once it gets going, creating a lush, tropical feel in any room.

The Ultimate Philodendron McColley’s Finale vs Prince of Orange Care Guide

Here’s the fantastic news: despite their differences in appearance, their care needs are almost identical! Don’t worry—these plants are perfect for beginners. Following this philodendron mccolley’s finale vs prince of orange care guide will set you up for success with either plant.

Lighting: The Secret to Fiery Foliage

This is the most crucial element for vibrant color. Both plants need bright, indirect light to produce those stunning orange and red leaves. A spot near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window is perfect.

Too little light, and their colors will be dull and faded. You’ll see more green leaves than colorful ones. Too much direct sun, however, will scorch their beautiful leaves, leaving brown, crispy spots. It’s all about finding that happy medium.

Watering Wisdom: Avoiding a Soggy Mess

Like most philodendrons, these two hate “wet feet.” The golden rule is to let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out completely between waterings. You can easily check this by sticking your finger into the soil.

When you do water, do it thoroughly. Let water run all the way through the pot and out the drainage holes. Then, discard any excess water from the saucer. Overwatering is the fastest way to cause root rot, which is a common problem we want to avoid.

Soil and Potting: Building a Happy Home

These tropical beauties need a well-draining, airy potting mix. A standard indoor potting soil on its own is often too dense. I love to create my own mix, and you can too! It’s easy.

Try this simple recipe for a happy philodendron:

  1. One part high-quality indoor potting mix
  2. One part orchid bark (for chunkiness and aeration)
  3. One part perlite (for drainage)

This mix allows roots to breathe and prevents water from logging, which is one of the most important philodendron mccolley’s finale vs prince of orange best practices.

Humidity and Temperature: Creating a Tropical Oasis

These are jungle plants, so they appreciate average to high humidity. While they can tolerate typical household humidity, they will truly thrive with a little boost. You can achieve this by:

  • Placing the plant near a humidifier.
  • Grouping it with other plants (they release moisture into the air).
  • Setting it on a pebble tray filled with water.

Keep them in a warm spot, ideally between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Avoid placing them near cold drafts from windows or air conditioning vents.

Feeding for Fabulous Color

To support all that new, colorful growth, you’ll want to fertilize your plant during the growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every 4-6 weeks. Cut back on fertilizing in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

Common Problems and Easy Solutions

Even the happiest plants can run into issues. Here’s a quick guide to troubleshooting some common problems with philodendron mccolley’s finale vs prince of orange.

Fading Colors: Is My Plant Sick?

If your plant’s vibrant new leaves are looking a bit lackluster, the number one culprit is usually insufficient light. Try moving it to a brighter location (but still out of direct sun) and see if the next new leaf emerges with more punch.

Pesky Pests: Identifying and Treating Common Intruders

Philodendrons can occasionally attract pests like spider mites, mealybugs, or thrips. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves. If you see any pests, you can often treat them by wiping the leaves with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or by spraying the plant with a gentle insecticidal soap or neem oil solution.

Yellowing Leaves: Decoding Your Plant’s Signals

A yellowing leaf can mean a few things. If it’s one of the oldest, lowest leaves on the plant, it’s likely just natural aging. However, if multiple leaves are turning yellow, it’s most often a sign of overwatering. Check your soil moisture and adjust your watering routine accordingly.

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Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Plant Parenthood

One of the great benefits of philodendron mccolley’s finale vs prince of orange is how easy it is to care for them sustainably. Embracing eco-friendly philodendron mccolley’s finale vs prince of orange practices is rewarding for both you and the planet.

Choosing Eco-Conscious Soil Mixes

Many standard potting mixes contain peat moss, which is a non-renewable resource. Look for peat-free alternatives or mixes that use sustainable components like coco coir. Your homemade chunky mix is already a great step in this direction!

Propagation: The Gift that Keeps on Growing

As your plant matures, it may produce small “pups” or offshoots at its base. You can carefully separate these from the mother plant once they have a few roots of their own and pot them up. It’s a fantastic way to create new plants to share with friends for free! This is the essence of sustainable philodendron mccolley’s finale vs prince of orange gardening.

The Verdict: Which Fiery Philodendron is Your Perfect Match?

So, after exploring all the details, how do you choose? Here’s a quick summary to help you decide.

Choose the Philodendron Prince of Orange if:

  • You love bright, cheerful, almost neon orange and yellow tones.
  • You have a slightly smaller space or want a more compact, upright plant.
  • You enjoy watching a clear and dramatic color transition from orange to green.

Choose the Philodendron McColley’s Finale if:

  • You are drawn to deep, rich, and moody colors like cinnamon, red, and burgundy.
  • You want a slightly larger, broader plant to make a statement.
  • You prefer a more subtle, sophisticated color journey from red to dark, chocolatey green.

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. They are both incredibly rewarding and relatively easy to care for.

Frequently Asked Questions About Philodendron McColley’s Finale vs Prince of Orange

Are Prince of Orange and McColley’s Finale the same plant?

No, they are not. They are distinct, patented cultivars, though they are often confused. The primary difference is the color of their new foliage—bright orange for the Prince of Orange and deep red/cinnamon for the McColley’s Finale.

Which one is easier to care for?

They are equally easy to care for! Their needs for light, water, soil, and humidity are virtually identical. The choice between them really comes down to aesthetic preference.

How can I make my philodendron’s colors more vibrant?

The key to vibrant color is providing plenty of bright, indirect light. This is the single most important factor. Consistent watering and feeding during the growing season will also support healthy, colorful new growth.

Are these plants toxic to pets?

Yes, like all philodendrons, both the Prince of Orange and McColley’s Finale are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. They contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation of the mouth, drooling, and vomiting. It’s best to keep them out of reach of curious pets.

Bring Home a Blaze of Color

The debate of philodendron mccolley’s finale vs prince of orange is less about which plant is better and more about which color story speaks to you. Do you prefer the bright, sunny optimism of the Prince of Orange, or the deep, smoldering elegance of the McColley’s Finale?

No matter which you choose, you’re bringing home a piece of living art that will reward you with a stunning, ever-changing display of color. They are forgiving, beautiful, and a constant source of joy in any indoor garden.

Go forth and grow, my friend. Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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