This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through these links.
Philodendron ‘Birkin’ (sometimes called “White Wave”) is a gorgeous member of the philodendron genus easily recognized for its large, flashy foliage. Learn everything you need to know in this Philodendron Birkin care and propagation guide!
The Philodendron ‘Birkin’ is a cultivar that originally mutated from the Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo.’ It’s not technically native to anywhere on earth, it will enjoy the same tropical environments other philodendrons do!
Are Philodendron Birkins rare?
Philodendron Birkins used to be extremely rare and expensive. This is actually where it gets its name from—the famous Hermès Birkin bags (which are extremely expensive!).
Nowadays, the Birkin is not really considered rare. While you might not find one in your local garden center, you can easily find one online.
Where can I buy a Philodendron Birkin?
You can buy a Philodendron Birkin on Etsy! Here is a beautiful specimen being sold by one of my favorite Etsy shops.
How do you care for a Philodendron Birkin plant?
Here is a quick care summary:
Light Level: | Bright to medium, indirect |
Watering: | Keep moist, but not wet |
Potting Mix: | Well draining, airy |
Humidity: | Prefers high but is OK with average |
Temperature: | 60 – 80 degrees F (16 – 27 degrees C) |
Fertilizing: | Balanced, half-strength, monthly in growing season |
Repotting: | Every one to two years |
Pruning: | To remove dying leaves |
Climbing: | This philodendron does not climb |
Philodendron Birkin Light
Like most other philodendrons, the Philodendron Birkin prefers bright to medium, indirect light.
Plants that don’t have enough light for their requirements won’t be happy—literally, they’ll put out very sad-looking growth, if any.
On the other hand, too MUCH light will damage plants’ leaves. They will basically get burned by the sun. This is why it’s important to keep the light INDIRECT. The sun’s rays should not be shining directly on the plant.
What if I don’t have enough light to grow a Birkin?
Lack of natural light is actually no problem because grow lights exist! Full-spectrum grow lights mimic the sun (but they are, of course, far less intense than the actual sun, so pointing them directly at your plant is fine).
One of my favorite grow lights is this full-spectrum LED clip-on grow light. It is easily maneuvered into lots of different positions for your plants’ needs. I just bought a second set of them because my plants love them so much!
I also really like this set of LED stick-on grow light strips. They’re perfect for shelves!
Watering
Philodendron Birkin likes to remain moist, but not wet. I repeat—moist, but NOT wet. Got that? This is important because there’s a fine line between moist and root rot.
You can give your Birkin the moisture it needs by watering it when the potting mix is dry about an inch or so down. It’s very important to feel the potting mix first to determine how wet or dry the plant is.
That will tell you if it’s time to water, so please do not water on a set schedule. Water when your plant tells you they need it.
Following these guidelines, you’ll water a little bit at a time, but more frequently, rather than completely soaking your plant less frequently. Since the soil is never completely dry, it doesn’t need to be soaked each time you water it.
Philodendron Birkin Soil
The Birkin will do best in a well-draining, airy potting mix that will still hold some moisture. I know it sounds a little confusing. Here is a breakdown of what that means:
- Well draining – The majority of the water should drain out the bottom so as to not leave your plant too wet.
- Airy – This should lighten up the mix so the soil does not get compacted.
- Holds some moisture – Won’t be WET, but will hold the light amount of moisture that this plant likes.
To accomplish this, you can use a general houseplant potting mix with some extra perlite (drainage) and sphagnum moss (airy/helps hold moisture) added in. You can use about a 1-1-1 ratio. I usually just eyeball it!
Note: The sphagnum moss is beneficial but not critical. If you skip it, make sure your soil doesn’t get compacted over time. Aerate it every once in a while with something like a toothpick. You want to be as careful as possible to not stab and destroy the roots!
Add a beautiful Birkin to your collection! Grab one here!
Does Philodendron Birkin like humidity?
Yes, the philodendron genus is a fan of tropical environments, so the Birkin will be very happy with increased humidity. I would not recommend misting, though.
Some people like this method, but I don’t find it to be very effective. Also, having constantly wet foliage from misting your plant frequently can cause rot.
So, what to do instead? I personally prefer using a humidifier. It’s very effective, lasts a lot longer, and can help many plants at once (depending on the size).
Temperature
The Birkin prefers warmer temperatures, about 60 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 – 27 degrees Celsius). Don’t worry, though, there’s no need to run over to your thermostat. Average household temperatures are generally fine.
The one thing you’ll need to keep in mind, though, is if you live somewhere with cold winters. Make sure your plants aren’t near any cold areas, like drafty windows or front hallways.
Fertilizing
Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half-strength, once a month during the growing season, which is the spring and summer.
All fertilizers have an N-P-K ratio (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium). A “balanced” fertilizer just means these three numbers are all the same.
Repotting
Repot your Philodendron Birkin every one to two years. It’s a fast grower and does not like to be root bound, which means it can’t stay in the same pot for years and years.
Signs of a root-bound plant include:
- Roots coming out of the drainage holes
- Roots heavily coiled on the bottom of the pot/outside of the soil (you’ll need to slip the plant out of its pot to check this)
- Stunted growth and an unhealthy, sad-looking plant. (You can then look for one of the other two signs to confirm this)
Use a pot one size up from its current pot, and make sure it has a drainage hole!
Pruning
You can prune your Philodendron Birkin to remove any old, dying leaves at the base of your plant. Other than that, pruning the foliage isn’t necessary.
Gently pull off the dying (or dead) leaf, stabilizing the plant with the other hand so you don’t tug on the entire plant. Or, if you need to, use a pair of clean scissors or a knife to cut off the leaf at the base.
Removing Philodendron Birkin Flowers
Occasionally, the Birkin will bloom a spathe and spadix, just like other aroids. This is not technically a flower, but a modified leaf (spathe) surrounding/protecting the spadix (which is covered in lots of tiny flowers).
The bloom is not particularly attractive and can even end up sucking away energy from the rest of the plant! For this reason, you should consider cutting them off with a clean, sharp pair of scissors or a knife.
Do Philodendron Birkins climb?
No, unlike the heartleaf philodendron, philodendron micans, or the philodendron brasil, the Philodendron Birkin is not a climbing species.
Foliage
The Philodendron Birkin has thick, bright-green stems with large leaves that are dark green with white variegation. The white part looks like a cross between pinstripes and brush strokes.
The more variegated leaves also tend to have a white outline. New leaves will be mostly (or all) white and old leaves will be darker green with faded or no variegation.
Philodendron Birkin Propagation
You can propagate your Philodendron Birkin using a few different methods.
Propagating Philodendron Birkin with Cuttings
- Identify a stem with at least one healthy leaf. If possible, a piece that already has some aerial roots will help your cutting along, but it’s not necessary.
- Use clean, sharp scissors or a knife to cut off the stem below a node. The node is where the petiole (the leaf’s stem) meets the main stem. It’s improtant your cutting has a node on it because nodes are where new growth (roots!) comes from.
- Stick your cutting into moistened potting mix and place it in bright to medium, indirect light.
- Keep the potting mix lightly moist as the roots develop. Keeping humidity high will help your cutting along, too.
- After a few weeks, test if your cutting has a root system by giving it a gentle tug and feeling for resistance. If there is resistance, you can start treating your cutting like a normal plant. If not, no worries, your plant just needs more time!
This photo from Picky Prickly Plants provides an excellent reference for where to make the cut when propagating your Birkin.
Can I propagate Philodendron Birkin water?
Yes, you can let the roots grow in water and then plant it in potting mix, although it’s an extra step and the roots will need some time to adjust when they’re moved from water to potting mix.
Follow all the same steps as above. Make sure the node is under the water, but any leaves are above the water. Refill the water as needed or replace it when it gets grimy.
Pot up the plant when the roots are two to three inches long, and then give it a good watering.
Propagating Philodendron Birkin by Division
If you don’t want to wait for new roots to grow, division is a much faster way to “make” more Birkins.
Maybe your mature philodendron has sprouted a few babies in the pot. Or, perhaps you purchased a “large” plant, but it’s actually a few smaller plants potted together. These are good candidates for division.
- Slip the plant out of its pot and locate one or more pieces that are separate from the mother plant with their own root systems.
- Gently separate the root systems. A little bit of root breakage can be hard to avoid, but try to keep the roots mostly undamaged.
- Pot each piece into its own separate, appropriately sized pot. Depending on how much you separated, you might need to give the mother plant a smaller pot. Having too large a pot can lead to overwatering. Basically, it’s too much wet soil and not enough plant.
- Water each “new” plant and give them some time to adjust to their new home (they might go through some shock). That’s it!
Common Problems and Causes
Why is my Philodendron Birkin yellow?
Random yellow leaves indicate overwatering. You’re watering too frequently OR your plant is not receiving enough light to account for the amount of water you’ve given it. Remember to always feel the potting mix to determine the moisture level before watering.
Yellow leaves are usually just a sign of a one-off mistake. Your plant will most likely be fine if you allow it to dry out more. Root rot is the next stage if this is not corrected (more on that next).
A yellow leaf or two at the base of your plant means it’s just an old leaf. This plant will shed old leaves as they produce new ones. Nothing to worry about! Just gently remove it.
Root Rot
Root rot is essentially the next step after a few yellow leaves. This is when your plant has been way too wet for way too long. The roots are now drowning and the rest of the plant is starting to die.
If you act fast, you might be able to save your plant. See my root rot post for more help!
Why are my Philodendron Birkin’s leaves turning brown and cripsy?
Your philodendron may have some brown, crispy edges if it’s too dry. This could be from underwatering or it could even be caused by dry air.
If the potting mix doesn’t appear to be too dry, try giving your Birkin a more humid environment. You can do this easily with a humidifier.
Why are my Philodendron Birkin’s leaves reverting (losing variegation)?
Your Birkin can lose variegation in a few different scenarios:
- As this Birkin is a mutation of the Rojo Congo, its leaves can sometimes revert back to solid color (the “un-mutated” version, if you will).
- Your plant doesn’t have enough light. The lighter colors on the leaves contain less chlorophyll. Heavily variegated plants need more light to make up for less chlorophyll. If there is not enough light, the plant will revert as a survival mechanism.
- The leaf is old. It’s normal for this philodendron’s leaves to get darker green and more solid in color with age. These are the leaves at the base of the plant. Eventually, they’ll die, which is normal.
So, if you’re experiencing one of the first two, what do you actually DO about it? If a section of your plant is losing variegation, follow the stem back to the last variegated leaf before the variegation stopped.
Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors or a knife to cut off all the foliage right above that leaf (so, you are NOT cutting off that leaf, but everything right above it).
Since new growth comes from the nodes, this will give your plant a good chance of pushing out a similarly variegated leaf from that leaf node. (Note that this is not a 100% guarantee, but it’s worth a shot!)
Which pests do I need to worry about?
While the Birkin is not particularly susceptible to pests, there is always a risk of pests when you own houseplants. Potential pests include spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. For general pest control, I like to use an insecticidal soap.
More Birkin FAQs
How big will a Philodendron Birkin get?
In absolutely perfect conditions, Philodendron Birkin’s size can reach about three feet tall and almost the same wide.
They don’t always get to this size growing as an indoor plant though, so it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing something wrong if your mature plant is smaller. In fact, you might not want it to get that large—that’s a lot of space!
Is Philodendron Birkin slow growing?
No, in optimal conditions, the Philodendron Birkin is a fast-growing plant. Remember, this is why you’ll need to repot it every one to two years.
Is Philodendron Birkin poisonous?
The Philodendron Birkin is toxic, so be sure to keep it far away from your pets.
Add a beautiful Birkin to your collection! Grab one here!
More Philodendron Posts
- Philodendron Brasil
- Philodendron Florida Ghost
- Philodendron Verrucosum
- Pink Princess Philodendron
- Philodendron Gloriosum
- Philodendron Micans
- Heartleaf Philodendron
- Philodendron Melanochrysum
Trevor Le Gendre says
Hi, thanks for the tips. I am not much of a social media fan, but I must admit it is the place to go for info.