No matter how challenging a plant’s care routine is, a true plant enthusiast will never pass on the opportunity to get their hands on a new and relatively less common houseplant variety.
If you’re someone who finds great joy and excitement in looking after a unique plant, we suggest you grow your collection by bringing home one of the latest trendy plants in the market – the Philodendron Birkin.
Sought after for their relative newness and dark green, variegated leaves that look like a hand-painted masterpiece, the Birkin plant’s visual appeal and ability to propagate from stem cuttings make them an excellent addition to any household.
The Philodendron Birkin Overview
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Is a Hermès Birkin bag too expensive? Get yourself a gorgeous indoor potted Birkin plant instead!
Known and loved for its stunning heart-shaped, deep green leaves, decorated by white and yellow brushstroke-like markings, like all variegated plants, the Philodendron Birkin has made quite a name for itself in the short time it’s been around.
The birth of the plant was a result of an unplanned, spontaneous mutation that took place in the Philodendron Rojo Congo and Green-leaf Philodendron.
Since both of the Philodendron Birkin plant’s ancestors initially originated from the rainforests of Brazil back in the 15th century, this plant is best suited to growing in a similar warm environment.
Also popularly known as the ‘White Wave,’ it is important to know that even though the Philodendron Birkin is characterized by its orchid bark and unique white markings, the variegation can sometimes be unstable and reversible.
This means that although your originally bought Philodendron plants might have white stripes, they can always revert to looking like their parent plant, which had deep green, non-variegated leaves.
Moreover, at times, the Philodendron Birkin plant will also produce new leaves that have absolutely breathtaking pink accents or can also be completely white.
Furthermore, although the tropical plant does require a well-established care routine, it is still quite easy to manage, even for beginner-level plant caretakers.
Since these plants grow at a relatively fast pace and display signs of negligence or incorrect care measures almost immediately, a Philodendron Birkin owner has the opportunity to take the appropriate action to save the plant on time.
Perhaps it is the exciting hope of witnessing a Philodendron Birkin rare pink striped leaf or the idea of having a plant that not everybody else in the plant parent community has, one thing’s for sure – the plant’s appeal and popularity are only bound to increase over time.
Continue reading to learn about the Philodendron Birkin care routine and the common signs that indicate that the plant is not doing too well.
Moreover, the article also highlights the common factors contributing to a Birkin plant’s poor health and sickness, along with ways one can treat and save the plant from dying early.
Let’s get started!
The Proper Philodendron Birkin Care Routine
People who enjoy the wholesome journey of watching their young plant grow into full maturity should definitely look into investing in Philodendron plants.
With a maximum growth rate of nearly four inches per week, the Philodendron Birkin plants and their evergreen foliage can live and thrive for a whopping seven to ten years.
However, if this is your first time caring for a variegated plant like the Birkin, you must know all about this beautiful plant’s specific care routine and limitations.
Although these plants do not require around-the-clock attention, their growth and survival greatly depend on their environment.
Hence, the key Philodendron Birkin care tips you need to be well-informed about are as follows:
Sufficient Watering
Water is one of the most integral ingredients that most plants need to survive. Without the presence of water molecules, plants cannot use atmospheric carbon dioxide to create glucose, the main plant food.
With that said, if you want to see your potted Philodendron Birkin plant thrive, you cannot compromise on its watering requirements.
But we get it. Not everyone has the time to pay attention to their plant’s watering needs. If you find yourself in the same boat, you’ll be happy to know that the Philodendron Birkin needs water only once every week.
The goal is to ensure that the soil Philodendron Birkin grows in is sufficiently moist the day it is watered. It is also equally important that the moist soil is completely dry before the next watering.
Although the Birkin plant’s foliage is well-adapted to surviving in drought-like conditions, it will not do as well when you provide it with more water than it needs.
If the plant is potted inside a pot of poorly draining soil, the excess water will accumulate inside the pot, leading to root rot.
Once this happens, you don’t have much time before the disease completely chokes your plant’s roots, leading to its early death.
This is how it happens:
The presence of accumulated water creates the ideal medium for fungal growth
If the fungus grows all the way to the plant’s roots, it will cause the roots to decay and die
With root rot in process, the Philodendron Birkin will no longer get the amount of water it requires to sustain itself
As a result, the once-healthy Philodendron Birkin will dry out and die
Fortunately, many Philodendron Birkin plants develop aerial roots that are easy to examine and treat before too much damage is done.
Hence, if this is your first time bringing home a plant, you can rest easy. Why? Because Philodendron Birkin care tips are quite easy to follow.
Enough Light
Although the indoor potted Philodendron Birkin care routine works well with extended periods of underwatering, it isn’t going to do you much good if you don’t provide the plant with the amount of sunlight it needs on a daily basis.
Fortunately, it is quite simple to give your plant the sunlight it requires, whether your fast-growing plant is still very young or has already wrapped fully around a moss pole.
Simply place your tropical plants next to a window that allows sufficient indirect light to reach the plant.
Although uninterrupted hours of indirect light are critical to the Birkin plant’s food production, unfiltered or direct sunlight can damage the indoor plant’s dark green leaves.
If you place your deep green, healthy Philodendron Birkin outside under direct sunlight, its internal temperature will go up.
When this happens, the plant will begin transpiring water from the holes present under its variegated leaves to cool itself down.
While this coping mechanism can be quite successful, it can cause the Philodendron Birkin plant to dehydrate. As a result, its deep green leaves will dry out and turn yellow or brown.
Moreover, if you live in a region where persistent cloud cover is unavoidable, it can become challenging to care for a Philodendron Birkin plant. Hence, it is best to invest in a solar lamp to provide your deep green plant with the needed artificial lights.
Humid Environment
As mentioned above, the Philodendron Birkin’s mother plant originates in the Brazilian rainforests.
Hence, a warm and humid environment is critical for Philodendron Birkin propagation and healthy growth.
Although standing water can be quite dangerous for the Philodendron Birkin, it still grows best in moist soil.
Hence, the higher the humidity in the environment, the faster and more beautiful will be the Birkin plant’s growth and appearance.
However, if the regional environment is consistently humid, you need to check the conditions of the potting soil before you add any water to it.
If the soil Philodendron Birkin grows in is already pretty moist, you can skip the weekly watering routine or can use a simple spray bottle to add just a little moisture to your variegated plant.
Moreover, if you live in extremely dry conditions, the best tip is to invest in a humidifier to keep the soil damp at all times.
External Temperature
Although atmospheric warmth can facilitate an indoor potted Philodendron Birkin plant’s healthy and fast growth, the scorching heat can have the opposite effect.
Ideally, Birkin plants thrive best during the spring and summer time, between the thirteen-to-thirty-degree Celsius temperature range.
However, the indoor plant will suffer terribly if the temperature exceeds forty degrees.
Not only will the high rate of evaporation from the Birkin plants’ pot cause the soil to dry up, but the rising internal temperature of these tropical plants may also result in severe dehydration, along with causing their dark green foliage to burn out.
Hence, if you live in a region where summers can be quite harsh, do not make the mistake of placing your healthy plant outdoors in garden centers or in front of a sun-facing open window.
Liquid Fertilizer
If you care to provide your Birkin plants with the best possible living conditions, treat your indoor plants with an organic or water-soluble liquid fertilizer once every two to four weeks, especially during the spring and summer seasons.
Ideally, the fertilizer you use should be rich in vital micronutrients such as zinc, calcium, magnesium, etc.
However, too much fertilizer can cause abnormalities in the indoor potted Philodendron Birkin plants.
Pot Drainage
As aforementioned, water that accumulates inside an indoor plant’s pot can result in root rot and potential plant death.
Hence, whenever you buy yourself a Philodendron Birkin plant, ensure that its pot has sufficient and wide-enough drainage holes to allow any excess water to drain out.
This will ensure that the plant only has enough water to survive. Too much, and you’re going to have to deal with root rot.
Moreover, also refrain from using poorly draining soil whenever you plant or repot your indoor Birkin plants.
Pruning
Although pruning is often helpful for most indoor plant species, you need to be really careful when using a pair of pruning shears on your Birkin plants.
A Philodendron Birkin plant does not have to be pruned at all if its leaves are plump and healthy. However, if you spot any dried-up or brown leaves, it is best to gently prune them from the bottom.
Moreover, it is also critical to know that not all yellow leaves need to be pruned, as a Philodendron Birkin plant’s pale yellow leaves often simply indicate old age.
Repotting
Philodendron Birkin plants are fast-growing tropical plants that can outgrow their pots quite quickly.
Hence, the best care tip is to repot the beautiful plant into a fresh and larger vessel of potting mix to give the plant the space it needs to grow and thrive.
Moreover, ensure that the potting mix you use retains moisture, is slightly acidic in nature, and is sufficiently rich in all essential micronutrients.
To add the required acidity, you can either spray some coffee water or add high-quality peat moss to the soil.
Peat moss, which is a product of sphagnum moss, not only helps achieve the required soil PH but also makes the overall Philodendron Birkin care results a lot more worthwhile.
However, remember not only to pour peat moss over the plant’s soil.
Instead, use a garden shovel to fully mix it into the entire potting mix.
Furthermore, for even better mixing, refrain from adding too much peat moss to the same pot.
Instead, repot the Philodendron plant into a larger and wider vessel containing fresh potting mix that does not have too much moisture.
Common Signs that Your Indoor Potted Birkin Plant is Not Doing Too Well
Indoor plant species that require around-the-clock care usually enjoy more frequent examinations and inspections than planters that need to be watered once or twice a week.
Hence, if you are interested in growing a deep green and healthy plant, make the extra effort to examine the Birkin plant’s dark green foliage, even when it is not the time to water it.
Doing so will allow you to notice any signs of poor plant care or any Philodendron Birkin diseases that might affect your indoor plant’s appearance and survivability.
Signs of Poor Philodendron Birkin Care
Brown leaves
Yellow leaves, before the Philodendron Birkin size has fully matured
Dried-up Philodendron Birkin leaves
Curled-up Philodendron Birkin leaves
A weak looking plant that droops sideward
Signs of Philodendron Birkin Diseases
Fungal or bacterial infections
A pest infestation, especially the presence of spider mites
Root rot
Common Factors that Contribute to an Indoor Potted Birkin Plant’s Poor Health or Sickness
Overwatering the Philodendron Birkin
Underwatering the Philodendron Birkin
The Philodendron Birkin is planted in poor drainage soil
Presence of too much fertilizer in the Philodendron Birkin soil
The Philodendron Birkin is not allowed proper light
The Philodendron Birkin is exposed to prolonged hours of direct sunlight
The other plants next to the Philodendron Birkin have a fungal infection or are infested by spider mites
The aerial roots of the Philodendron Birkin have gotten eaten up or damaged by a house pet
How to Treat or Cure a Weak or Sick Indoor Potted Philodendron Birkin Plant
Only use a pot with sufficient drainage holes to facilitate the removal of any accumulated water
Use a controllable spray water bottle to keep your Philodendron Birkin plants healthy and hydrated
Use a pair of pruning shears to remove any dry, curled-up, or brown leaves
If root rot has already taken place, remove the entire plant from the pot and prune all damaged and dead concealed as well as aerial roots before repotting it into a well-drained potting mix
Use a natural fungicide
Use the appropriate medication or remedies to kill all spider mites, such as use soapy or vinegar water solution
Bonus Tip for Philodendron Birkin Care
Although the visual appeal of a Philodendron Birkin leaf is impossible to deny, it is important to take the necessary precautions if you have kids or pets at home.
At times, calcium oxalate crystals can form inside the Philodendron Birkin leaf.
When such a plant is accidently consumed, the toxic crystals in the Philodendron Birkin plant hurt the child or animals’ sensitive tongue, gum, and throat tissue, resulting in severe pain.
Hence, although the Philodendron Birkin plant care process can be quite relaxing for you, know that the safety of the other living members at your home comes first.
However, if you have already invested a lot of time and money in your Philodendron Birkin care routine, you can try placing the planter in a pebble tray to keep it away from your cat.
Final Thoughts
If you need a fast-growing indoor house plant that is both stunning to look at and easy to manage, you need to get yourself a tolerant hybrid Philodendron variety, such as the Birkin plant.
Globally demanded for the breathtaking Philodendron Birkin variegation and the evergreen foliage, these tropical plants thrive best in moist and properly fertilized soils.
What’s more, they can be propagated from their stem cuttings, especially during the peak growing season.
Moreover, to make the most of your Philodendron Birkin plant care routine, disinfect the plant to get rid of any spider mites.
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