How to Grow Philodendron Birkin in a Pot
Philodendron Birkin is a brilliant houseplant that’s easy to grow & doesn’t take up much space. Learn how to grow Philodendron Birkin in Container by going through this post!
Philodendron Birkin is quickly gaining popularity among houseplant lovers because of the stunning variegation. Originating from the rainforests of Brazil and Paraguay, it’s soon finding space in every household. The evergreen foliage sports white stripes that run from the center of the foliage to the edge. It appears as if the elegant white stripes on the foliage are painted with strokes from the paintbrush. Waxy and dark green leaves contrast nicely with the white stripes and edges. Philodendron Birkin is easy to care for, and you can do that in a cinch after going through this post.
How to Grow Philodendron Birkin
Locate the Birkin Philodendron at a spot where it receives bright indirect light. Sphagnum moss or a potting mix that’s well-draining works best. Keep the soil moist but do not let it turn soggy and water only when the soil is dry an inch below the surface. Fertilize in springs and summers with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer diluted half to its strength.
Also Read: How to Grow Philodendron Gloriosum in Container
Propagating Philodendron Birkin
The ideal way to propagate Philodendrons, including Philodendron Birkin, is from stem cuttings. The perfect time to take the cutting and propagate it at the start of the spring season falls in march in the States. Here is the step-by-step tutorial on propagating Philodendron Birkin.
- Take 4-6 inches long healthy stem cutting using sharp and sterilized pruning shears.
- Make sure to cut from just below the leaf node as that’s where the roots emerge.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting, which will leave around 2-4 leaves on the top half.
- Take a mason jar or any other container and fill it with clean water and place the stem cutting in it.
- Make sure the bottom half is submerged in water, and the top half remains out of it.
- Set the jar at a spot where it receives bright indirect light and change the water every other day.
- Within a week, the roots will start to form, and once the roots are an inch or two in length, you can transplant the Birkin Philodendron to the container.
Choosing the Container
The container should be around 4-6 inches in depth and width and must have drainage holes at the bottom. Birkin glazed ceramic pot, plastic pot, terracotta pots, and even hanging baskets will work just fine for planting. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom to drain out the excess water.
Re-Potting
Philodendron Birkin is a slow grower that usually takes a year or two to outgrow its previous pot. When the roots start growing out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, you’ll know that the plant is ready for re-potting. Do not go for a huge pot in the hopes that you won’t need to re-pot again, as Philodendron loves to remain a bit pot-bound. So, choose a pot that’s only one to two sizes bigger than the previous one. The ideal time to re-pot is in the spring and summer!
Location
Like other members of the philodendron family, Philodendron Birkin also loves to reside in bright indirect light. Place it on the windowsill or any other spot where the plant receives bright indirect light. Too much light and the plant will start to wilt whereas placing it in the dark for long causes sagging of the stems yellowing leaves.
Soil
Potting mix that drains well but can retain moisture to some extent is ideal for growing Philodendron Birkin. Sphagnum peat moss-based potting mix is suitable for this purpose as it’s well aerated and can hold moisture as well. Add perlite to improve drainage and also if you don’t want to plant solely in Sphagnum moss.
Watering
Overwatering is the death of this plant so avoid it as soggy soil leads to root rot! Check that the soil is dry an inch below the surface by sticking your finger in the soil before watering. The goal is to keep the soil moist but never letting it turn soggy. Cut back watering in winters as it becomes somewhat dormant during the cold months.
Philodendron Birkin Care
Temperature & Humidity
Philodendron fares well in average room temperature ranging from 65 to 75 degrees F. If the temperature falls below 55 degrees F, move the plant to a warmer spot. As it’s a tropical plant, it loves to reside in high humid conditions, so if the surrounding air is dry, take measures to increase humidity levels. Install a humidifier, misting, or placing a pebble tray filled with water near the plant are some ways to raise humidity levels. Locating the plant in the kitchen or bathroom will help because of the high humidity in these regions.
Fertilizer
For healthy, vibrant, and big foliage, fertilize the plant with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Fertilizing two to three times a month is enough to boost the growth. Philodendron becomes somewhat dormant in winters, so there isn’t a need to fertilize the plant during this period.
Pests & Diseases
Common garden pests such as spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, aphids, and scales can feast upon the foliage of Birkin. Taking measures such as wiping the leaves with rubbing alcohol, spraying the neem oil solution, and applying insecticidal soap solutions will eliminate these pests. Also, don’t let the dust accumulate on the foliage as it attracts pests such as spider mites. Apart from root rot caused due to overwatering, there isn’t much that can go wrong with this plant.
Philodendron Birkin Toxicity
Philodendrons is the member of the Archae family, and similar to other members of this family, it’s also toxic. ASPCA claims Philodendron to be toxic to cats and dogs with symptoms including Oral irritation, intense burning, and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing. Although pets usually do not ingest foliage, still advisable to keep Philodendron out of reach!
