Philodendron Birkin Care – Best Tips & Tricks!

The Philodendron Birkin is a low-maintenance plant beloved for its beautiful foliage. Philodendron Birkin is a species that appeared on the market relatively recently, and it has attracted the attention of many gardeners around the world.

Philodendron Birkin is easy to take care of and thrives in well-aerated and well-drained soil and does well in room temperatures between 62-80 °F (17-27 °C). Philodendron Birkin loves indirect sunlight and only requires watering every 2-3 days in spring and summer and once per week during fall and winter.

There are over 2,000 species of this plant, and there are more than 800 species in the genus Philodendron. This plant is native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Philodendron Birkin is recognizable by its white stripes that extend along its oval leaves that taper and become pointy. Each leaf has a different pattern and is unique even though they grow on the same parent plant.

This variety was created when a naturally spontaneous chimeric mutation occurred in Philodendron Rojo Congo. They made several specimens of Philodendron Birkin by further hybridization and it cannot be found in the wild. Because of this, in rare cases, it can revert back to the Rojo Congo variety or continue to mutate.

Are Birkin Plants Easy to Take Care Of?

Philodendron Birkin plants are pretty easy to take care of. This new, tropical plant variety has become quite popular among newbie gardeners.

You’ll find the essential care tips in the table below and a more in-depth guide on Philodendron Birkin propagation, repotting tips, and potential issues and solutions.

Philodendron Birkin In-Depth Care Guide

Philodendron Birkin Soil Requirements

Philodendron grows best in well-aerated, well-drained soil that retains moisture because it is crucial for the plant to stay hydrated. The soil should retain moisture for at least a couple of days without becoming soggy.

Before each watering, the surface layer of 1.2-1.6 in (3-4 cm) has to be dry to avoid overwatering. There should be a lot of organic matter in the planting mix.

The ideal soil mixes below include a different ratio of soil, sphagnum moss, perlite or vermiculite, coco peat, and coco coir. To retain some moisture, you might want to use sphagnum moss since it’s a great way to keep the soil airy and soft.

Adding perlite to the potting mix will keep the soil airy and increase the oxygen flow to the roots of the plant. The perlite also helps the soil to dry out quickly and helps you to water your plant perfectly.

Another option would be to add a good amount of coco peat and coco fiber to the mix since that adds to the water retention and provides good drainage of potting soil. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is also a fine amendment to garden soil, keeping your plant’s roots happy.

Ideal Birkin Potting Mix 1:

• 1 part perlite
• 1 part of universal potting soil
• 2 parts sphagnum moss

Ideal Birkin Potting Mix 2:

• 2 parts coco peat
• 1 part coco coir
• 1 part perlite or vermiculite

Philodendron Birkin Light Requirements

To be able to reach its maximum potential, the plant needs plenty of indirect sunlight. Shade or direct sunlight do not suit it, especially for hours at a time. Plants placed too close to a window can get burns on their leaves, in which case they must be relocated to a more suitable location.

In the absence of adequate light, the leaves rotate towards the light source and the plant appears disproportionate. As a result, the leaves lose their white stripes and become darker in color.

You can influence the pattern or color of the leaves depending on your preferences. You should allow more hours of indirect light if you like white and more colorful plants.

Watering and Humidity

Underwatering and overwatering can kill a plant. Philodendron Birkin is not very demanding when it comes to watering. The frequency of watering should be adjusted to the season, the existing humidity, the temperature in the room and the position of the plant in relation to light.

In the summer and vegetation period, it should be watered more often than in winter during rainy and cold days. It is important to check the soil every 2-3 days, and if it is dry, water it.

Philodendron will benefit from occasional showers (at least once a month), mostly to remove dust from the leaves and clean the pores so that it can photosynthesize optimally, but also to get the necessary moisture.

As for air humidity, like all tropical species, it prefers a humid environment. In order to increase the humidity, you can arrange the plants in a group close to each other, but a humidifier is also a great option.

Humidity of 50-70% is ideal for this species and will help it last longer, but even with 40%, Philodendron Birkin should do just fine.

Temperature Requirements

As long as the room temperature is between 62-80 °F (17-27 °C), your Philodendron Birkin will thrive. It can withstand temperatures up to 95 °F (35 °C).

Growth is paused when the temperature is 59 °F (15 °C), and if it drops below 50 °F (10 °C), the leaves can start curling excessively, and the plant will start dying. Philodendron Birkin should be kept in a room without drafts and air conditioners. The leaves will turn brown if you keep the plant near a radiator or stove.

Philodendron Birkin Fertilizer Needs

In their natural habitat, Philodendrons receive slow-releasing fertilizers. For this purpose, it is best to add compost, organic manure, decomposed mulch, or sterile animal dung. Horse dung, cow dung, or rabbit dung is best added in the spring at the beginning of the growing season.

This will give a great boost to the plant and create conditions for the development of good bacteria around the roots.

If you prefer chemical fertilization, it is best to use it in the form of liquid fertilizer over the roots or leaves, diluted twice with water than the recommended amount of dilution.

Repotting Philodendron Birkin

Philodendron Birkin should be repotted once per year on average. It grows at a medium speed, and when the root reaches the bottom of the pot, it can easily be seen through the opening, and it is time to repot the plant. For these needs, a ceramic pot works best, with a hole in the bottom.

The size of the pot should be only “a number larger” or 1.18-1.96 inches (3-5 cm) larger than the previous one. Check the health of the roots before repotting the plant, and if you notice a part is softer or rotten, shorten the roots before planting.

Propagating Philodendron Birkin

The ideal time for propagation is spring when the humidity is high, and the air is warm. The easiest method of propagation is through cuttings.

Choose a cutting that has at least one nodule and 1-2 aerial roots. With a sterile knife, cut 0.4-0.8 in (1-2 cm) below the nodule and then put it in water. Keep the water clean and change it every few days. After 6-8 weeks, new roots will appear, after which the plant can be planted in a plant mix.

There is also an option to plant the cuttings directly in the planting mix. However, planting directly in the ground has a lower chance of rooting success than planting in water.

Philodendron Birkin Toxicity

Unfortunately, this beautiful plant is toxic to humans and pets if swallowed or chewed. It should be kept away from small children, cats, and dogs, preferably on a high shelf or outside the home. It contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause irritation to the digestive system.

Pests and Diseases

When growing Philodendron Birkin, pests are not a common problem. Infestations occur very rarely. Sometimes it can be attacked by Aphids and Mealybugs. Oil and regular showering, as well as wiping the leaves, are effective ways to prevent infestation.

When infestation occurs, organic pesticides can be used in the early phases, and chemical pesticides in the advanced phases. Infested leaves can be removed from the plant and the plant transplanted to a new soil mix. The plant should be kept in isolation until it recovers.

Problems With Philodendron Birkin: Causes and Solutions

While Philodendron care is not particularly challenging, and the species can be grown by beginners, there is always a chance of problems. We’ll discuss a few commonly asked questions about issues with Philodendron Birkin plants that you might encounter.

Why Are Philodendron Birkin Leaves Turning Yellow/Browning?

Common causes: overwatering, direct sunlight exposure

Solution: If the leaves are yellowing/browning at a rapid rate, the most common problem is usually overwatering the plant, which damages the plant’s roots. This is a serious issue, and if you suspect you might have waterlogged the soil recently, you will have to uproot the plant in order to save it.

If you notice any roots that are soft, soggy, or simply smell bad, cut them off and remove all the affected tissue. Dip the rest of the roots in a mix of 1/3 hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) and 2/3 water, let them dry, and repot the Philodendron into a dry soil mix that drains well.

Sunlight exposure issues can be solved by simply moving a plant to another area with plenty of indirect sunlight.

Why Are Philodendron Birkin Leaves Curling?

Common causes: Lack of humidity, cold

Solution: Excessive curling is a common problem Philodendron Birkin owners are facing if the plant is exposed to cold or lacks moisture in the air. After all, Birkin is a tropical plant whose care requires a temperature in the range of 70-77 °F (21-29 °C) and moderate humidity.

Move the plant to a warmer place, but never in direct sunlight. Humidity levels can be tracked by using a humidity meter to avoid an overly dry home and to keep the moisture at moderate levels.

Why Does Philodendron Birkin Have Dry Leaf Tips?

Common Causes: underwatering, low humidity

Solution: In general, brown dry leaf tips indicate that your Philodendron Birkin has been underwatered or that humidity levels in your home are too low. Ensure the soil is moist and adjust watering accordingly.

You can also use a diffuser to increase the humidity level and a humidity meter in the future to prevent this problem from reoccurring.

Summary

Philodendron Birkin is generally easy to care for, needing similar care and conditions to many other houseplants. Provide your Birkin with lots of indirect sunlight and avoid placing it too close to the window.

Make sure that the soil is well-aerated and well-drained and retains moisture for at least a couple of days without becoming soggy. You can achieve this by adding perlite and sphagnum moss, or coco peat to the potting mix.

Philodendron Birkin is not demanding when it comes to watering. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil every 2-3 days in spring and summer and once a week during the winter or fall, and if it’s dry, water it.

It is important to remember that your Birkin is a tropical plant. Keep the room temperature between 62-80 °F (17-27 °C), maxing out at 95 °F (35 °C) and your Philodendron Birkin will thrive and quickly become one of your favorite houseplants.