Philodendron Birkin The Ultimate Care Guide

If you’re fortunate enough to have this unique, eye-catching houseplant in your home, you’re in for a delight. Its brilliant yellow stripes against dark green glossy leaves will add a significant amount of character to your living room.

The Philodendron Birkin is a hybrid of the Rojo Congo and Imperial Green cultivars, hybrids of Philodendron erubescens. Its most distinguishing features are the dark-colored leaves with bright yellow pattern lines. It may revert to its Rojo Congo parentage, a dark red plant.

Philodendron Birkin History & Naming

Philodendron Birkin is unique among houseplants in its relatively brief history. In Houseplants, the new kid on the block is taking the world over by storm in popularity as a houseplant.

Philodendron Birkin and Rojo Congo are tissue culture cultivated plants not found in the wild. In that sense, this event isn’t exceptional because dozens of created hybrid Philodendrons exist.

Philodendron Birkin
Philodendron Birkin

The plant is officially an unrecognized and non-patented variant of ‘Rojo Congo’ because there is no official registration or name.

The Birkin is offered under various names, adding to its exact origin’s mystery. It is also known as the Philodendron White Wave. Some associate the Philodendron Birkin with the famous Hermés Birkin’s purse.

Philodendron Birkin Care

Philodendrons are low-maintenance houseplants, and the Birkin is no exception. Your Philodendron Birkin will be a loyal houseplant companion for many years, adding some of the tropics to your living space if you follow these guidelines.

Philodendron Birkin Light Requirements

The optimal light for Philodendrons is lots of indirect sunshine, and it should be set back a little if it’s in front of a window because direct sunlight will burn the leaves.

Alternatively, use a sheer curtain to keep the sun off the foliage. The Philodendron is shaded by large trees in its natural jungle home and extends out to reach the light.

Although the Birkin prefers indirect light, it must not be in the shade. It will continue to grow, albeit at a glacial pace.

Worse than delayed growth, the signature white striping will not develop or appear faded. Ideally, a Philodendron Birkin grows best in eight to 12 hours of light daily. Artificial light is ideal if you need to increase the light on dark winter days.

Philodendron Birkin Water Requirements

Philodendrons are tropical plants that must be kept moist (not wet). This can be time-consuming initially while still learning out your plants’ likes. Overwatering is a common misstep that is easy if you aren’t careful. The easiest way to care for your Birkin is to check the soil before watering it.

Stick your finger in the dirt to see if your plant needs water. The top one to two inches of soil should be completely dry between waterings.

Your Birkin should be watered once a week in general. However, due to your home’s heating or air conditioning, the schedule may change as the seasons change. If the top of the soil is damp, don’t water it; wait a few days and check again.

Do not let the soil dry out for extended periods. The occasional dry spell encourages root growth, but extended dry periods harm your plant.

Philodendron Birkin Temperature and Humidity Requirements

As tropical plants, most aroids thrive in humid environments. Because most homes do not have enough humidity, it must be supplemented or provided in some other way.

Buying a humidifier is a worthwhile investment, as the benefits will be visible as your Birkin flourishes.

A pebble tray is a great DIY alternative solution. Place the plant on top of the rocks on a baking sheet lined with stones.

Fill the tray with water to impart humidity to the area as the water evaporates. If you have a lot of tropical plants, group them so that they may all benefit from the increased humidity.

You want to maintain a humidity level of between 40 and 70%.

Plant humidifier
Plant humidifier

Philodendron Birkin Soil Requirements

The type of soil you choose greatly impacts how happy your Birkin will be. Because this Philodendron prefers damp soil, the soil must be able to keep moisture for a few days. Drainage is important, though, because soggy soil causes root rot.

Mix perlite and coconut coir into a high-quality houseplant potting soil mix. The perlite aids aeration and drainage, while the coconut coir helps retain moisture. These two additives offer the ideal soft and airy soil balance for a Philodendron Birkin.

Philodendron Birkin Fertilizer Requirements

Fertilizing every two to four weeks will benefit the foliage of Philodendron Birkin plants. Use a half-strength water-soluble, balanced houseplant fertilizer. The NPK rating of the best philodendron fertilizer should be 20-20-20.

You can use an organic houseplant fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizers if you don’t want to use chemical fertilizers. Alternatively, add worm casting to the potting mix every time you repot the Birkin. Err on the side of under-fertilizing, as excess fertilizer will damage the roots.

Repotting Your Philodendron Birkin

Plan on repotting your ‘Birkin’ every year or every other year. This houseplant grows out of its pot yearly, which is a good sign of its content. Look under the planter to see whether the roots are pushing out. If they are, it’s time to repot it.

Your Philodendron should be repotted into a pot one to two inches larger than it is currently in. It would be best if you did not use a significantly larger container instead of the slightly larger, next-size-up container.

It’s simple for plants to become overwatered when placed in pots that are too big for them. More water ends in the pot because of the greater room and soil. And because the poor ‘Birkin’ won’t absorb enough water, there will be a lot left over, making the soil extremely wet and leading to root rot.

Repotting Philodendron Birkin
Repotting Philodendron Birkin

Pruning Your Philodendron Birkin

Unlike the vining types of Philodendrons, pruning the Birkin and other bosh varieties is rarely necessary except to remove any dead or discolored leaves.

Philodendron Birkin Toxicity

All Philodendrons, including the Birkin, are toxic to people, cats, and dogs as they contain calcium oxalate crystals. These toxins can cause swelling, inflammation, and pain in contact with the skin or oral cavities. Keep your Philodendron away from cats, dogs, and small children who may accidentally ingest it.

Why are my Philodendron Birkin Leaves Different Colors?

Most new leaf growth is completely white or has a pale lime-green tint. The leaves become darker as they age, eventually reaching that magnificent deep dark-green glossy color.

This implies that your Birkin could have a variety of various colored leaves at any given time. New white leaves coexist with completely matured dark-green striped leaves and immediately colored green striped leaves while changing color.

Will My Philodendron Birkin Revert?

Your Birkin will likely revert to its parent, the Philodendron Rojo Congo. The current cultivation method is tissue culture, which is sensitive to mutation.

To begin, ensure that the plant is getting enough indirect sunlight. Cut the leaf growth back to the last variegated leaf. Remove leaves that aren’t variegated or have only a few splotchy marks.

How Big Will My Philodendron Birkin Grow?

Philodendron Birkin will grow up to three feet tall, but new houseplants are unpredictable. A lot depends on the lighting and other growth factors.

Possible Philodendron Birkin Pests, Diseases, and Problems

Here are a few possible issues with Philodendron Birkin that you may run into:

Yellow Leaves

Be cautious because the Birkin has such a wide range of leaf colors. On the other hand, all yellow leaves usually indicate that the plant has been overwatered.

Check the soil and reduce watering to see whether the problem is resolved. Another possibility is that bugs are damaging the plant’s leaves.

Yellow Philodendron Birkin leaves usually indicate that you’re overwatering the plant. Soggy soil prevents the plant’s roots from accessing air and nutrients. This results in weak growth and low energy, and the green leaf parts can’t photosynthesize properly.

Brown Leaves

Crisp, brown leaves indicate insufficient humidity. The leaves are struggling because the air is too dry. Use a humidifier or a pebble tray to provide moisture to the atmosphere (as described in the humidity section).

Thrips, Spider Mites, Mealybugs, and Aphids

Thrips, Spider Mites, Mealybugs, and Aphids. These tiny houseplant pests suck or devour the juice off the leaves and stems.

A neem oil spray, repeated every 5-7 days until the bugs are gone, is the best treatment for these pests.

Combine one teaspoon of dish soap and two tablespoons of neem oil in a quart spray bottle, fill it halfway with water and give it a good shake.

Spider mites on leaves
Spider mites on leaves

In Closing

Philodendron Birkin is a true gem in the houseplant collection, with its beautiful striping making it stand out. You’re in for a fantastic treat if you’re prepared for a possibly wide range of growth and coloring. If you look after your Birkin, it will continue to produce beautiful leaves for many years.

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