Philodendron are commonly found in warm, tropical climates and are known for their colorful leaves. The Philodendron birkin is a beautiful Philodendron variety that is easy to care for. Birkins have round, dark green leaves with vivid white pinstripe patterns. With thick stems and pointed leaves, this houseplant makes a statement anywhere.
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| Name | Philodendron Birkin |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight |
| Water | One to two times a week, like moist (but not soaking wet) soil |
| Soil | Well-draining soil with organic matter |
| Temperature | Room temperature (65 to 75 °F or 18 to 24 °C) |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets and humans |
Philodendron Birkin Care:
Philodendron Birkin Growth
Philodendron birkin is a slow-growing houseplant. Warm temperatures, high humidity, moist soil, and indirect sunlight promote growth. The pointy leaves are dark green and glossy with variegation and a white pinstripe pattern. They grow as long as 8 inches (20 cm) in length indoors.
Philodendron can grow anywhere from 19 to 40 inches (50 to 100 cm) tall, although it may take a while for the plant to reach that height.
Philodendron Birkin Light Needs
Philodendron prefer bright, indirect light.
East or West facing windows provide enough light for the Philodendron without burning the leaves. Covering the window with a sheer curtain or keeping the plant a few feet away from the window provides your Philodendron with the bright, indirect light it needs. The appropriate amount of light brings out the white patterns on the foliage.
Rotate your Philodendron every few days so each side receives enough sunlight and grows evenly. Clean the leaves every few weeks to keep them clean so the plant is able to photosynthesize properly.
Related article: Philodendron Gloriosum Care
Excess Light
Extended periods of bright sunlight cause the leaves to burn. Make sure the plant receives bright, but filtered sunlight. Avoid direct contact between windows and the leaves so they do not burn.
Burned leaves will have brown spots where the damage is. If this occurs, move the plant farther away from the window. Unfortunately, once burned, the brown discoloration does not fade away, but you can prevent new damage by decreasing the light intensity.
Insufficient Light
On the other hand, inadequate light stunts plant growth, fades the leaves and causes the stems to grow leggy. If a window does not provide enough sunlight, try supplementing with a grow light (be sure to keep the grow light at least two feet away from the plant).
Philodendron Birkin Watering
Watering is probably the most important part of Philodendron birkin care and can also be the trickiest.
Philodendron prefer to have moist, but not soaking wet soil. In general, Philodendron should be watered one to two times a week. Prior to watering, check that the top inch of soil feels dry.
Water the soil at the base of the plant, pouring until the soil feels damp (be sure to stop before it is soaking). Avoid over watering and make sure that water does not sit on the leaves for too long so it does not damage the foliage. If you do get some water on the leaves, wipe it off with a tissue so they do not stay wet.
Over watering leads to root rot and is a common cause of plant death, so it is important to check that the soil is dry before watering. If you find the soil staying wet for long periods of time, add more perlite or pumice to the mix to improve drainage. Terracotta pots with drainage holes are a good choice for a container because they allow the extra water to evaporate.
The frequency of watering varies based on the season, temperature, humidity, and light the plant is receiving. Plants in warmer, drier, and brighter environments require more frequent watering because the soil dries out faster.
Drooping leaves could be an indication that the plant is not being watering properly. Pay closer attention to the moisture of your soil before watering and adjust the frequency as necessary.
Philodendron Birkin Soil
Philodendron thrive with a well-draining potting soil with high organic matter. An organic houseplant potting soil mixed with perlite, pumice or orchid bark keeps your Philodendron happy. Adding horticultural charcoal helps to draw out toxins and protect against bacteria and fungi.
Philodendron Birkin Pot
Choose a pot with a drainage hole at the bottom so that extra water is able to drain, which prevents root rot.
Repotting Philodendron Birkin
Since Philodendron birkin are slow growing, it may be several years before you need to repot.
When your Philodendron becomes root bound and the new growth has stalled, it is time to move up to a larger pot. Choose a pot that is one to two inches larger than the current one. Do not choose a pot much larger than that because the excess soil can retain too much water and drown the roots.
It is best to repot during the spring time. Gently remove the plant and clean the soil off its roots. Prune any rotten or damaged roots. Fill the new pot with fresh, well-draining potting soil and secure the plant in place.
If your plant is bushy, you can divide it into several smaller plants when re-potting if you prefer.
Philodendron Birkin Fertilizer
Fertilize the Philodendron birkin once a month during its growing season in the spring and summer. Use a standard houseplant fertilizer diluted at half the strength. Make sure it includes calcium and magnesium, as these promote healthy growth.
Fertilizing too often or with a high-strength fertilizer causes salt build-up and damages the roots. You may notice white crust on the soil or pot and leaf damage. If this occurs, do not fertilize for a few months and flush the plant with a large volume of water to remove the salts from the soil.
Small leaves and stunted growth may be due to a lack of nutrients. Consider fertilizing if you have not done so in a while.
Philodendron Birkin Propagation
Propagate your Philodendron birkin with stem cuttings by following these steps:
- With a pair of sharp scissors or garden shears take a cutting that is three to six inches long. Choose a long, healthy stem.
- Cut the stem at the joint that meets the main crown. Pull the leaves off two leaf nodes that are on the bottom so they are bare.
- Water the mother plant after cutting to minimize stress on the plant.
- Let the cutting callous for a few hours.
- Place the cutting in a vase or jar of water. The bare leaf nodes should sit in the water. Leave the cutting in there for several weeks, replacing the water every few days.
- Keep the cutting in a warm room with indirect sunlight. After about a week, you will see roots starting to sprout.
- Once the roots have grown several inches long, plant the cutting in a well-draining soil and care for it as normal.
It is recommended you propagate during the spring or summer, as that is when the plant is in its growing period.
Pruning Philodendron Birkin
Prune yellow and dead leaves at the stem’s base. Use sharp and clean pruning shears or scissors. Water the plant afterwards to minimize stress.
Philodendron Birkin Temperature
As native tropical plants, Philodendron thrive in warm, humid weather. Keep the plant in temperatures from 65 to 75 °F (18 to 24 °C). If the plant is outside, be sure to bring it indoors when temperatures dip below this as they struggle in the cold.
Philodendrons require medium to high humidity. If the air is especially dry consider placing a humidifier nearby, or fill a tray with pebbles and water and keep the plant pot in there (making sure the water is not high enough to be in direct contact with the pot). As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant.
Avoid keeping the birkin next to any drafty windows as the cold air damages the plant. Also do not keep the plant next to an air-conditioning vent or heater because those dry up the surrounding air.
Related article: 12 Best Plants for Low Light Bathrooms
Philodendron Birkin Toxicity
Unfortunately, the Philodendron birkin’s sap causes irritation if it is ingested. Keep this plant away from dogs, cats and humans. Wear gloves when handling to avoid skin irritation.
Philodendron Birkin Infestation
Philodendron are susceptible to common pests such as: mealy bugs, scale, spider mites, or aphids.
Signs of infestation include:
- Misshapen or distorted leaves
- Cottony-white substance
- Discolored leaves
- Black spots or mold-like substance
Closely examine the Philodendron birkin for pests. Especially examine the underside of the leaves and the stem-leaf joints because pests often hide there. If there are insects, quarantine the plant so they do not spread and check neighboring houseplants as well.
Prune any extensively damaged leaves. Wash your plant in the sink under a strong stream of water with an insecticidal soap. Then spray the plant with 70% rubbing alcohol or diluted neem oil. Dab any visible insects with a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Continue to spray the plant once every few days until all signs of the infestation are gone, which may take a few weeks so be patient!
Always check your houseplants for insects when you bring them home from the nursery to avoid bringing any pests into your home.
Dusty leaves promote spider mite spread, so it is important to keep them clean. Wipe off the leaves every few weeks with a damp wash cloth.
Common Philodendron Birkin Problems
Why are the leaves of my Philodendron birkin turning brown?
Philodendron leaves turn brown for several reasons, including:
- Direct light: bright, direct light burns the leaves and turns them brown. Move the plant farther away from the window so it receives indirect light.
- Low humidity: very dry air also browns the leaves. Since this is a tropical plant, it needs medium to high humidity to avoid problems. Move the plants to a more humid room, or follow the above tips to increase humidity.
- Improper watering: over and under watering both cause brown leaves. Test the soil and adjust your watering frequency as necessary.
Why are the leaves of my Philodendron birkin turning yellow?
Philodendron leaves turn yellow for several reasons, including:
- Normal aging: If older leaves turn yellow and die, it is a part of the natural aging process of the plant and nothing has to be done. However, if newer leaves are yellowing, this signals a different problem.
- Over watering: Philodendron turn yellow in soaking wet soil. Reduce your watering frequency and only water when the top inch of soil is dry. Add perlite or pumice to increase drainage so the roots can breathe.
Root rot on Philodendron
Root rot occurs when the Philodendron has been consistently over watered and the roots “drown” from the extra water.
Some signs of root rot:
- Brown spots on leaves
- Black, limp stems
- Mushy, translucent leaves
- Leaf drop
Remove the plant from its soil and clean the soil off its roots. Remove any rotten roots (they are black and slimy) and prune the damaged leaves. If the rot has progressed into the stem, cut off the stem until you have clean tissue without any signs of rot.
Allow this cutting to dry out for several days then plant in fresh, well-draining soil. Wait a week after potting to water the plant. Decrease your watering frequency to prevent rot again and plant in a well-draining soil mix.
Read this for more information about fixing root rot.
In summary for Phildendron Birkin care…
The Philodendron birkin is a popular plant due to its striking leaf pattern and dark green leaves. Provide this tropical houseplant with high humidity, warm temperatures, and water appropriately to promote growth.
Have any more questions about Philodendron Birkin care? Let me know in the comments below!
