Philodendron Birkin is a gorgeous indoor plant that’s new to the scene. It’s a hybrid philodendron that is compact, fairly slow-growing, and easy to care for.
Birkin philodendrons feature round leaves with slightly pointed tips. The coloring is deep green with vivid white pinstripes and variegation. No two leaves are the same.
Like monstera, another popular and commonly recognized houseplant, the Birkin plant changes its look over time. Starting life as an all-green juvenile, Birkin Philo develops its sophisticated striping as it matures.
Once the variegation pops, the Birkin might remind you more and more of a Calathea or maranta in its pattern.
Scientific name: Philodendron Birkin
So, how do you care for a Philodendron Birkin?
Philodendron Birkin Care
Here are the basics of Philodendron Birkin care, which we will detail in this article.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix that doesn’t dry out too quickly
- Pot: Should have a drainage hole
- Light: Bright/Indirect light
- Water: Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings
- Humidity: 60% humidity or higher
- Pruning: Remove dead or dying leaves as needed
Soil
The best soil for Philodendron Birkin is nutrient-rich soil that retains moisture. You don’t want your moist soil to flood or become soggy.
We recommend a mixture of these ingredients for a DIY soil mix:
- 1 part general potting soil
- 1 part perlite for excellent drainage
- 1 part sphagnum moss or peat moss to retain moisture
Perlite helps excess water in the soil drain more quickly. You don’t want your plant sitting in soggy/overly moist soil because root rot can easily set in. Perlite helps the soil to dry out quickly which will prevent root rot.
To retain moisture, add sphagnum moss or peat moss to your soil. Sphagnum moss is a great way to add some pockets of moisture to your soil. The sphagnum moss, along with the perlite, helps to keep the soil soft and airy.
Fertilizer
Philodendron Birkins don’t need a lot of fertilizer. If you do use fertilizer, apply it only during the spring and summer months.
Use a fertilizer made for indoor plants and carefully follow the package instructions. Liquid fertilizer will work well. Never use more fertilizer than recommended. Too much fertilizer can damage your plant’s roots, so use caution.
During winter, you’ll typically only need to fertilize your Philodendron Birkin once a month.
Pot
When choosing a pot, something to keep in mind: unglazed clay or ceramic pots will dry out your soil faster than glazed or plastic ones. Terra cotta pots will dry out your soil much quicker. Keep these things in mind when choosing soil or deciding on a watering schedule. Either way your pot will need at least one drainage hole.
Even though they have aerial roots, Philodendron Birkin plants don’t necessarily climb. They grow up from the center of the plant. Because of this, they can become a little heavy and lean to one side. Try using a moss pole or other support for your Birkin Philo if you notice it leaning.
Read our detailed guide: Moss Pole for Plants | What They Are and Why You Need One
When Should I Repot Philodendron Birkin?
Because Birkin plants are slow-growing, chances are you’ll never have to repot your plant. You can pick a beautiful pot that should last you many years.
Is repotting ever necessary? If you start to notice your plant pot getting swollen or inflated in parts, your plant is probably root-bound. Being root bound will prohibit your plant from growing correctly, and if it becomes bad enough, it might even die.
You will want to choose a new pot about 2 inches in diameter bigger than the last one. A slightly larger pot will give your Philodendron Birkin plenty of room to grow, but it will not be too big for the plant.
If you use a pot that’s too big, you’re more likely to end up overwatering your plant. A pot that’s too large will retain too much water.
How to Repot Philodendron Birkin
When it is time to repot, follow these steps:
- Find a cute new pot (with drainage hole) that’s about 2 inches larger than your current one.
- Get some fresh potting mix that is well-draining. Add some perlite if desired for extra drainage and moss to retain moisture. Orchid bark is also a great addition.
- Carefully remove your plant from the current pot.
- Check the root ball for any signs of poor health. Be sure it is not mushy or soft. If you do see anything wrong, carefully trim away the damaged roots.
- Add your potting mix to the pot, about ⅓ to ½ full, so that the plant stands out of the pot at roughly the same height it did in the old pot.
- Once your plant is in, fill the rest of the pot with soil. Keep the soil loose and not too compact.
When removing your plant from its old pot, be careful not to damage any roots. Untangle the roots as much as you can and carefully place the plant into its new pot. After repotting, Be diligent about watering and make sure your plant gets the right amount of light.
Sun/Light Requirements
Philodendrons are tropical plants that usually grow in warm, humid environments under a tree canopy. Because of this, your Birkin Philodendron plant will do best in medium to bright indirect sunlight. Look for an area with soft shadows.
Philodendrons generally do not like bright sunlight unless grown in cooler climates without harsh sunlight. Direct sunlight may burn and damage the leaves or dry out the plant. Plants with white variegation like Birkin are particularly vulnerable to sunburn.
This plant doesn’t like low light. When your Birkin plant doesn’t get enough sunlight, two things will happen. First, your plant will start to grow toward whatever light is available. Second, the bright white lines on your plant’s leaves will begin to fade to dark green.
Artificial Lights
If you don’t have a spot with enough natural yet indirect sunlight, try a grow light. Philodendron Birkin grown indoors will benefit from supplemental lighting from a simple LED plant lightbulb or a lamp-style grow light.
You can use a grow light on its own or as a supplement to natural light. If you use a grow light on its own, you’ll need to give your Birkin plant at least 12 hours of light. Don’t overdo it. Plants need a combination of light and dark, just like people do. While in the darkness, a plant rests and recovers, much like we do when we sleep.
How to Water Philodendron Birkin
Like most of the other Philodendron varieties, Birkins are incredibly susceptible to overwatering. To avoid overwatering, you need to ensure that the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry before watering again.
Philodendrons can survive periods of drought just fine. Unlike underwatering, overwatering will likely kill it if it goes on for too long. Stick your finger into the soil to test how dry it is. Lifting the pot will also give you an idea of how wet the soil is. A heavier pot means there is more water in the soil.
In general, you will water your Philo Birkin one to two times a week, but always check the soil before watering.
When it’s time to water your Philodendron Birkin, soak the soil thoroughly to ensure all the roots have plenty of water. Dry soil can repel water a little at first, so go slow and add water little by little until the soil is soaked.
After watering, let all the excess water drain from the drainage holes.
Bottom watering is also an excellent way to ensure the soil gets evenly watered. It does take a bit longer than watering from the top.
Humidity
Philodendron Birkin’s leaves are slightly waxy and fairly thick, which helps the plant tolerate lower humidity than some other tropical plants. However, being a tropical plant means it will thrive in an extra humid environment.
You can add humidity by misting your plant occasionally and keeping it close to other plants. By grouping plants, you keep the air surrounding them more humid.
Another way to maintain humidity surrounding your plant is to put it on a pebble tray filled with water. As the water evaporates around the plant, the moisture will be absorbed by the plant. The pebble tray also helps keep excess water out of the soil.
When the leaves of your Birkin plant get brown and crispy, your home’s air is too dry, and you should find a more humid spot for your plant.
Humidity levels of less than 40% will be acceptable for your Philodendron Birkin, but pushing this up to 50-70% will help your plant thrive and grow more quickly.
Pro Tip: An inexpensive hygrometer is a wise investment in testing the humidity level in your home and adjusting it accordingly for your plants.
Buy on Amazon
If the above methods of adding humidity sound like too much work, consider purchasing a humidifier for your plants.
We have two fantastic articles detailing humidifiers for plants:
Best Humidifier for Plants
How to Use a Humidifier for Plants
Temperature
Philodendron Birkin prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
This plant will typically stop growing below 60°F (16°C) and can suffer cold damage below 50°F (10°C).
Both hot and cold drafts can cause issues for your plant. Drafts from radiators, heat vents, or fires can cause the leaves to be brown, particularly at the edges and tips.
Cold, drafty windows or cooling vents might cause cold stress and result in a plant failing to thrive or worse.
Pruning
Your Philodendron Birkin only requires pruning off dead stems or leaves. As long as you keep the dead parts cut off, your Philodendron Birkin will grow and reach its full potential.
Typically, you’ll want to prune in either the spring or fall. Be sure to use pruning shears to create a clean cut. Also, throughout the year, you can safely give your Birkin a light trim, removing any yellowing leaves or areas infected by pests or disease.
Also, note that you’ll also want to clean your plant’s leaves every so often. Clean and dust-free leaves allow your plant to absorb more light from the sun.
Size and Growth of Philodendron Birkin
How big does Philodendron Birkin get? Your Philodendron Birkin plant may start out quite small. May in the store are 6-12 inches tall.
Growing your Birkin indoors will probably get between one to 2 feet tall at full size (some may reach 3 feet). Also, keep in mind that the plant grows both up and out, so it can take up a larger surface area.
Is Philodendron Birkin Slow-Growing?
Philodendron Birkin is a pretty slow-growing plant. It is a self-heading plant, which means it is a non-climbing, self-supporting plant.
Common Issues With Philodendron Birkin
Reverting (Losing Variegation)
An exciting (but nerve-racking) characteristic of Philodendron Birkin is that its variegation is unstable. You just don’t know for sure what this plant will do. It’s possible that it will eventually produce one or more leaves that look just like its parent plant, the Philodendron Rojo Congo. Birkins have also been known to produce almost entirely white leaves, leaves with a splash of pink, or even leaves that are entirely green.
Suppose new growth on your Philodendron Birkin plant is non-variegated leaves. In that case, it could be because the plant is reverting, or it could be because the plant is immature. More mature plants produce more variegation.
Leaves Curling
Leaves will curl if the Birkin Philo plant is cold or if the air in your home is excessively dry. Philodendrons are tropical plants that thrive in more humid environments. Increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves regularly, using a pebble tray, or moving a plant humidifier nearby.
Turning Yellow
Yellow leaves on your Philodendron Birkin can be caused by two things: old age or overwatering.
If the yellow leaf is at the bottom of the plant and was dark green before it turned yellow, you are looking at an old leaf. This is the natural lifecycle of this house plant and nothing to worry about.
If the yellow leaf is not old, you probably overwater your plant. Check to see if your plant is standing in a puddle of water or if the soil is really soggy. If you find that you have overwatered your plant, be sure to let the soil dry out before watering again.
Spider Mites
Philodendron Birkin are as vulnerable to pests as other houseplants. When you add humidity to plants, they become especially susceptible to spider mites who love warm, dry environments.
If you notice webbing on the undersides of the leaves, you probably have spider mites.
To get rid of spider mites:
- Use a mixture of alcohol and water to remove and kill visible mites.
- Dilute 1 cup of alcohol in 30 oz of water and pour this solution into the spray bottle.
- Spray both sides of the leaves well and wipe them off with a paper towel.
FAQ’s: Philodendron Birkin
When do Philodendron Birkin plants get stripes?
Don’t panic if the new leaves of your plant aren’t variegated. No variegation on fresh leaves doesn’t mean your Birkin Philo is a dud. Philodendron gains more stripes and more variegation as it matures. GIve you plant some time.
However, because Philodendron Birkin is a mutated variant, it is unstable. It could revert to its original form with whole green leaves.
Giving this tropical plant a good amount of sunlight helps maintain the white stripes on the leaves.
Are Philodendron Birkins rare?
Compared to other philodendron plants, Birkin has unique variegation. Although the Birkin plant isn’t as rare and expensive as it once was, it’s still a sought-after unusual houseplant.
Does Philodendron Birkin flower?
You won’t likely see Philodendron Birkin plants flower indoors.
Is Philodendron Birkin Poisonous? Can my Philodendron Birkin Plant Hurt My Pets?
Birkin plants are toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. They contain calcium oxalate crystals. Ingestion of these toxic crystals can cause kidney issues, so keep them away from small children and pets. Any plants containing calcium oxalate crystals need to be kept with caution.
Other Philodendron Varieties to Check Out
There are hundreds of Philodendron varieties, and they’re known for their characteristically large leaves and aerial roots. Beyond Philodendron Birkin, here’s the top list of Philodendrons to grow as houseplants:
- Pink Princess Philodendron (Purchase on Etsy)
- Philodendron Melanochrysum
- Philodendron Moonlight (Purchase on Etsy)
- Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Selloum, Hope Plant)
- Philodendron White Knight (Purchase on Etsy)
- Philodendron hederaceum (Heartleaf, Sweetheart)
- Philodendron Xanadu (Winterbourne)
- Philodendron Micans (Velvet-leaf Philodendron)
- Philodendron Gloriosum (Purchase on Etsy)
- Philodendron Brasil (Cream splash, Silver stripe)
Where to Buy Philodendron Birkin
When Philodendron Birkins first came onto the market, they were considered rare. High demand and short supply made for expensive Philodendron Birkins. Because of mass production through tissue culture, it’s now widely available and much more affordable.
You might see Philodendron Birkin sold as Philodendron “White Wave” and sometimes “White Measure.” Because this plant is not patented, you may also see other names over time.
Costa Farms mass-produce philodendron Birkins as a Trending Tropical, so they pop up everywhere Costa Farms plants are sold – Walmart, Lowes, Home Depots, and many others.
Final Thoughts on Philodendron Birkin
If you’re looking for an indoor plant that is unique with beautiful leaves, this is it! It’s one of our favorite variegated plants.
Some items we discussed that will help you with Philodendron Birkin care to keep it growing strong:
Good luck growing your Philodendron Birkin and making it part of your cozy, fresh, and green home!
