Slow-growing and compact, it’s a great plant for small spaces, providing it gets enough bright, indirect light to promote the eye-catching variegation. Philodendrons have a variety of growth habits, including trailing and climbing, but the Birkin is self-heading with a thick, upright, self-supporting stem, promoting a more tree-like appearance. As with other philodendrons, the Birkin is a plant you’ll want to keep out of reach if you have children or pets in the house. It is toxic to people and pets. While they don’t have a climbing habit, a support pole might be helpful for top-heavy plants, and you’ll want to wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to promote variegation and keep them glossy and healthy.
Light
Most philodendron species appreciate filtered light, and the Birkin is no exception. A west- or east-facing window with medium bright, indirect light usually works well. To maximize the variegation, you don’t want a corner that is too shady, but too much direct sun can scorch the leaves and result in limp, leggy growth. This plant usually appreciates a few hours of light morning sun. Because the Philodendron Birkin likes to grow toward sunlight, rotating the plant periodically helps promote even growth.
Soil
Philodendrons thrive in potting mixes specially designed for aroid species, or you can try making your own. Blending one part potting soil, one part orchid bark, and one part perlite provides the right amount of acidity, moisture retention, drainage, and aeration—they require good air circulation but don’t tolerate soggy roots.
Water
They might be hard to kill plants, but Philodendron Birkin aren’t impervious to it. One of the biggest problems is overwatering—soggy soil can lead to mushy stems and root rot. Watering thoroughly and allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out before topping up the moisture level works best. While you don’t want the plant to completely dry out, don’t panic if you forget to water it occasionally. They’re pretty forgiving and usually perk up after a thorough watering. Be sure to drain away any excess water.
Temperature and Humidity
These tropical beauties thrive in warmth and humidity—they’re great houseplants for bathrooms. Temperatures need to stay consistently above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If the home environment is particularly dry, the Philodendron Birkin won’t be a good choice. They’ll grow in most homes, though, with ideal temperatures ranging from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can’t provide preferred humidity levels of between 50 and 60 percent, try introducing a humidifier or adding a pebble tray filled with water underneath your plant.
Fertilizer
Regular fertilization isn’t always essential for the Philodendron Birkin, and too much feeding can cause root burn and yellowing leaves. However, feeding with a balanced, weak solution of houseplant fertilizer every couple of months during the growing season promotes faster growth, improved variegation, and glossy foliage, especially in brighter conditions.
Pruning
This slow-growing plant doesn’t have any demanding pruning requirements. Just remove any leaves that are damaged or past their best, so all the energy is directed to the healthy foliage.
Propagating Philodendron Birkin
Like most philodendrons, the Philodendron Birkin can be propagated by stem cuttings. Follow the steps below for a chance of success:
Potting and Repotting Philodendron Birkin
The Birkin is a slow-growing philodendron and won’t need repotting regularly. However, repotting to a planter one or two sizes up every few years offers an opportunity to refresh the potting mix. If you notice roots growing out of the pot drainage holes, this is a sign that it needs a change. Don’t be tempted to go too large with the new pot—it’s more likely that excess moisture will gather, often leading to root rot. A couple of inches larger in pot diameter is usually plenty. Add a fresh batch of aroid potting mix until the pot is around 1/3 full. Once the plant is in, fill in any gaps around it until the mix reaches just below the pot’s rim, after gently patting the soil down. After watering, return the plant to its original spot.
Common Problems With Philodendron Birkin
Just because the Birkin has a reputation for being pretty easy-going, it doesn’t mean it’s immune to problems. To keep the foliage looking its best, it still needs the right light, water, and humidity levels. Look out for the following issues, which are often signs that you need to change something.
Leaves Turning Yellow
It’s not unusual to see older leaves at the base of the plant yellow and drop, making way for newer, healthier growth above it. However, if you’re seeing unattractive yellowing leaves on new growth or in large quantities, it’s most likely a sign of overwatering or overfertilization.
Brown Tips
When the edges or tips of your plant’s foliage start to turn brown, it’s likely because you need to up your watering schedule or provide higher humidity levels. If you have a lot of tropical plants, consider investing in a humidity meter. If levels are below 50%, you can use a humidifier, mist your plant, and set it on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Keep it away from heating vents and consider a spot like a bathroom with higher humidity levels. Browning leaves can also signify that your plant is in a spot where it’s receiving too much direct intense sunlight.
Curling Leaves
If the leaves are beginning to curl, it might be an early sign that it isn’t getting enough moisture. If the top few inches of soil are dry, it’s time to water. Also, avoid overfeeding your plant. Too much fertilizer can result in curling and browning leaves.
Dropping Leaves
These tropical plants like to be kept consistently warm and away from draughts. A sign that your Birkin needs a warmer spot is regularly dropping leaves.
It’s also worth noting that the unstable nature of this mutation means there is a possibility that it could revert back to a Rojo Congo, and the variegation can disappear permanently.
