Philodendrons are perhaps the most loved house plants. They are beautiful air purifiers and make excellent collectibles. The Philodendron Birkin is admirable and rare. The dark green leaves of the Philodendron Birkin showcase an exceptional pattern similar to that of freestyle brush strokes on a canvas!
The Philodendron Birkin comes from the Araceae family; the latter houses over 100 genres and 1800 species in its radius – making it one of the most prominent plant families in the world!
Let’s talk a bit more about the leaves of the Philodendron Birkin since everyone seems to be raving about them. They are dark, leathery, and have an exquisite sheen to them. The surface is adorned with gorgeous white pinstripes. Birkin’s leaves have a pointed oval shape; they develop variegated patterns as they mature.
You won’t come across this beauty every now and then. This plant is rare and a tad bit expensive.
Excited? Let’s explore this exotic beauty further!
P.s: What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you read the word, Birkin? If you’re thinking Hermes bags, you and I are on the same page!
Table of Contents
Meet The Philodendron Birkin: Basic Knowledge And Origins
The Philodendron Birkin is a relatively new hybrid plant created. Not many people are aware of its origin and history. The Philodendron Birkin took birth from a mutation that arose in the Philodendron Rojo Congo! The Birkin exhibits some of the best features of its parent.
The Philodendron Birkin once used to be one of the most expensive and rare plants. But now that mass production has struck its rate, you may find it relatively easily.
Another interesting feature about this plant is its variegation. Its variegated patterns are subject to change! You could be looking at white leaves, green leaves, or a mix of both colors with a splash of pink – all coming from one plant!
Family Type | Araceae |
Common Name | White wave, Philodendron white wave |
Botanical Name | Philodendron Birkin |
Plant Type | Philodendron |
Size | 2-3 feet tall |
Native Area | Brazil (Brazillian rainforests) |
Sun Exposure | Bright, indirect sunlight |
Soil Consistency | Mildly loose, aroid soil |
Toxicity | Toxic to animals and plants |
Common Pests | Spider mites |
Other Rare Varieties of Philodendron
Philodendron Pink Princess
The Philodendron pink princess is, hands down, my favorite plant from the Philodendron series. This trailing plant from the Philodendron family is widely sought-after. You’d be surprised by observing its pinkish-grey patterns orchestrated with such intricacy. Have a look at this rare beauty here.
Philodendron White Knight
This coveted find is similar to Philodendron Pink Princess in terms of design and pattern. The Philodendron White Knight is absolutely stunning. It has green and white leaves; the white half seems to have been painted manually onto the leaf!
Philodendron Spiritus Sancti
Nature is simply amazing, and the Philodendron Spiritus Sancti is a testament to this. This highly unique plant has gloriously long leaves, a feature that makes the Sancti a rare and expensive species. Unfortunately, it is at a threat of extinction due to the excessive elimination of its habitat.
Philodendron Hederaceum
Hederaceum is also known as the sweetheart plant due to its heart-shaped leaves. It is relatively more common than its rare counterparts mentioned above.
How to Care for The Philodendron Birkin
I don’t feel it necessary to wish you luck if you’re considering adding this plant to your collection. Why? Because it isn’t a complicated plant, nor does it demand excessive maintenance.
However, it still requires its fair share of attention, so you do not have the option to completely ignore the Philodendron Birkin like other drought-resistant plants.
Sunlight
These plants love bright but indirect sunlight – similar to the situation you’d find under a canopy in the tropics. An east or even west-facing window will fare your Philodendron well.
Extreme sunlight exposure will result in excessive shedding of leaves, whereas excessive shade will make the stems saggy. The key to a healthy Philodendron Birkin lies in the balance between sunlight and shade!
If you live in an area where sunlight is sparse, consider using artificial lighting. An exposure of at least 12 hours of artificial light is necessary for the survival of this plant.
Soil
Supplementing Sphagnum peat moss or perlite in the potting mix or organic soil will make a huge difference.
Use loose, moderately aerated soil for the Philodendron Birkin.
We don’t want wet feet as it cultivates a path for root rot, and that’s where handling your Philodendron becomes troublesome.
Water
You need to maintain a healthy balance of moisture levels for the Philodendron Birkin. This plant is not a fan of over or underwatering.
The easiest way to determine the watering frequency of your Philodendron is by feeling the top layer of the soil using your fingers.
If you feel that the soil’s superficial surface (or the top 2-3 centimeters) is dry, you need to water your plant.
The soil should not be left to dry beyond 3 cms of the top surface.
Temperature
Since this is a house plant, it will do well at room temperature (between 18-25 degrees celsius).
The temperature should never fall below 13 degrees celsius.
Humidity
The Philodendron Birkin is a tropical plant, so this comes as no surprise that this plant demands high humidity levels (around 60% or even higher).
Fertilizer
The Philodendron is a fairly heavy feeder; you will need to apply fertilizer every week to keep it looking radiant and glowing.
Potting
You should consider re-potting your Philodendron Birkin when its roots start popping out of the pot’s holes. This could take anywhere from 1-2 years.
I always suggest using progressively larger pots or containers each time you re-pot a plant.
Propagation
Propagation is best conducted during springtime when the Philodendron has escalated growth rate.
Unlike most plants, you can not use seeds to propagate the Philodendron Birkin because the seeds don’t flower.
We will discuss two methods to ensure the successful propagation of a Philodendron Birkin.
Propagation by water
Cut a 6-inch stem cutting using only sterilized pruning shears (to prevent cross-contamination or possible infection)
You should cut the stem cutting just beneath a leaf node
Pull any leaves off of the stem cutting, exposing the nodes bare
Fill a jar with water and leave it overnight; this would allow any chlorine to disperse
Place your stem cutting in the jar the next day
You will witness the growth of fresh roots over the next week
It is essential to change the water in the jar daily to prevent bacterial accumulation
Once the roots have grown sufficiently, transfer the stem to a pot filled with fresh aroid soil
Propagation by air layering
This method involves wounding the plant using sterilized pruning shears or scissors.
Cut into the Philodendron’s stem by shearing it 2 inches in depth and 2 inches in length.
Pierce a toothpick through the cut that you just created.
Apply sphagnum peat moss all over the stem, especially the wound area.
Use a string to tie the sphagnum peat moss to the stem so that both are bound together.
Tightly wrap plastic around the stem.
Soon, roots will start to grow. That is when you should shift your stem cutting to a soiled pot.
Challenges & Solutions
Browning of leaves
A Philodendron Birkin with brown leaves indicates that it needs more humidity. Try placing it next to a humidifier or using a water pebble tray to replenish its moisture content.
Yellow, shedding leaves
Yellow leaves usually indicate over-watering.
Small dots on leaves
Uh oh, you have a spider mite situation! Spider mites will deprive your Philodendron Birkin of all its nutrients.
Prune the infected leaves as soon as you notice the holes and use insecticidal soap to clean your Philodendron.
Stinky, foul odor
A foul odor and strange lesions indicate the disease Erwenia Blight. This disease invades the plant through the soil.
Soon you will find the branches sagging, and your plant won’t be far from death.
The only preventative measure is to identify the disease early on so that you can use sterilized pruning shears to cut off the infected branches.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass. Its unique properties allow it to expand and exhibit exaggerated porous properties. This ensures a good drainage outlet for the soil. Additionally, it makes the soil aerated – which is perfect for epiphytic plants.
The ability of sphagnum peat moss to retain moisture and release it to the plants’ roots as needed is primarily the reason for its inclusion in most potting mixes and soils. It can also store nutrients in the soil and disperse them as needed.