If you’ve been keeping up with plant trends, you’ll know that Philodendrons are quickly becoming one of the most popular houseplants. This wide-ranging genus has over 400 species and contains plants with various colors, shapes, and growing habits!
Philodendron Birkin is a non-climbing plant, making it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. Its slow growth means very little pruning and no need to re-pot it every few months! So how big does Philodendron Birkin get?
In ideal conditions, Philodendron Birkin can grow up to 3 feet (0.9 m) tall with a maximum width of around 7 inches (17 cm).
Are you looking for a new desk plant? Let’s take a closer look at this bright and modern Philodendron hybrid!
Does Philodendron Birkin Grow Fast?
Philodendrons come in two varieties: vining (or trailing) and non-climbing. Philodendron Birkin is a non-climbing variety, and non-climbers tend to grow slower than their counterparts.
Unlike climbers such as Philodendron Micans, Philodendron Birkin is a “self-heading” plant. This means that the plant supports itself and doesn’t need a moss pole or other structure to keep it upright. To support itself, the plant grows more compact and stockier than a vining plant.
The lifespan of a Philodendron houseplant is about 20 years, and during this time, a Philodendron Birkin will reach a maximum height of only 3 feet (0.9 m). Its maximum leaf span is just 7 inches (17 cm).
Since house plants like Monstera Deliciosa can reach heights of 10-15 feet (3-4 meters), Philodendron Birkin is considered a slow-growing, compact plant. This makes it an excellent choice for small spaces like condos and apartments.
Do Birkin Plants Like to Be Root Bound?
Since Philodendron Birkin is a slow-growing plant, it will take a while for your plant to become rootbound. In general, you should re-pot this plant before it has a chance to get root bound. This will ensure it always has access to fresh soil with nutrients.
If you notice roots peeking out from the drainage holes of your plant’s pot, you should re-pot it as soon as possible. You can generally size up 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) in pot size when you repot Philodendron Birkin.
There’s no need to get a larger pot than this since it will take a while for Philodendron Birkin to grow into it. Too big of a pot can lead to excess moisture in the soil, which will cause root rot.
Does Philodendron Birkin Need Support?
When you think of Philodendrons, you may think of those lovely vine plants that scale their way up moss poles.
Philodendron Birkin is a self-heading plant that grows a tree-like trunk to support itself. A characteristic of self-heading plants is that the leaves grow closely together to hide the trunk. This gives the plant its compact structure and doesn’t need other supports.
This squat shape makes Philodendron Birkin perfect for office desks and corner tables.
Philodendron Birkin Care
Philodendron Birkin, like many Philodendrons, is a tolerant plant with basic care requirements. Here’s what you need to know to help this plant thrive in your home.
Light
Like many tropical plants, Philodendron Birkin enjoys lots of light! The best source of light is indirect or filtered sunlight.
It’s important to avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn the Philodendron Birkin’s delicate leaves. The best location for your plant is west or east-facing windowsill, where your plant can receive around 12 hours of light a day.
Soil
Philodendron Birkin prefers moist but not waterlogged soil. This means it should be planted in a pot with proper drainage holes. You’ll also need to choose a soil mix that retains water and offers decent drainage.
A standard potting mix that contains perlite should be sufficient for Philodendron Birkin. Perlite creates air pockets in the soil which allows excess water to drain. You can also add organic materials like peat moss to your Philodendron Birkin soil to help it retain water. This is helpful if your plant’s soil is drying out too fast.
Water
You can give your Philodendron Birkin a good even watering about once a week.
Philodendron Birkin can tolerate dry soil better than soggy soil. So when in doubt, let the top inch of soil dry out before watering your plant.
This plant requires less water in the winter since it’s not using as much energy to grow. You can adjust your watering schedule to once every two weeks.
How Do I Make My Philodendron Birkin Leaves Bigger?
Small leaf size is generally due to a lack of fertilizer. Fertilizer helps give your plant a boost of nutrients during the growing season, which helps it produce larger leaves.
Generally, you can fertilize Philodendron Birkin every 2-4 weeks during its growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer. These fertilizers have equal proportions of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. These three macronutrients are essential for plant growth and health.
Why Doesn’t My Birkin Have White Stripes?
Philodendron Birkin is a variegated hybrid, and this variegation is what gives the plant its iconic creamy-colored stripes. But the variegation of Philodendron Birkin is unstable, meaning that it can revert to its original green leaves at any time.
The more shade your plant gets, the darker green leaves it will have. So if your plant has been kept in a shadier area of the home, you may notice the stripes fading. Place your plant in a bright sunny room to bring back the variegation. Ensure it’s not in direct sunlight to protect its delicate leaves.
Philodendron Birkin Propagation
As a variegated species, finding Philodendron Birkin in your local nursery can be tricky. So to keep this plant in your collection, you may want to propagate it. Thankfully, propagating most Philodendrons is easy, and Philodendron Birkin is no exception.
It’s best to propagate this plant in the spring, so it has the entire growing season to develop roots. The easiest method of propagation for Philodendron Birkin is via a cutting. Make sure you only use mature, healthy leaves for cuttings. If you take a cutting from a young leaf, it may struggle to grow back.
Here’s how to propagate Philodendron Birkin:
- Disinfect your cutting tools to prevent spreading diseases to your plant. Scissors are easiest to use, but some prefer pruning shears or a box cutter.
- Take a cutting from the stem of a leaf. Try to cut as close to the soil as possible to avoid leaving a long stem that will eventually rot.
- Submerge the end of the cutting in water to keep it hydrated while you prepare the growing medium.
- Fill a small container with moistened potting soil. Plant the cutting in the soil, about 1 inch deep. Pack the soil around the cutting so that it can stand up on its own.
- Keep the container with your cutting in a warm area of your home. This area should also receive plenty of indirect light. Use a spray bottle to mist your plant daily to keep the soil from drying.
- After 3-4 weeks, gently tug at the cutting to check for root growth. If you feel resistance, the cutting has rooted, and propagation is successful! Eventually, the cutting will grow leaves, and you can replant them in a new pot.
Summary
Beautiful, vining Philodendrons can be a handful for beginner gardeners. The need for support structures, pruning, and repotting can be a lot to stay on top of. Thankfully, non-climbers like Philodendron Birkin provide a more relaxed way to enjoy the shiny green leaves of this genus. These plants grow slowly and compactly, so they won’t take over smaller spaces.
Philodendron Birkin plants enjoy 12 hours of indirect sunlight per day, moist, well draining soil, and watering once per week.
In ideal conditions, Philodendron Birkin can grow up to 3 feet (0.9 m) tall with a maximum width of around 7 inches (17 cm). So if you’re looking for a new cute plant for your home office, this could be the one!