Does Philodendron Birkin Climb [Everything you should know]

Philodendron Birkins are show-stoppers with those creamy-white streaks on dark, shiny leaves. They’re one of the most popular houseplants these days because they can be used to subtly adorn your home.

Will they make for great wall accents like other Philodendrons, or will they do a better job at accentuating coffee tables and shelves?

Philodendron Birkins don’t climb because they’re self-supported. They have a thick stem capable of supporting upright growth. Their leaves grow close together, almost hiding the main stem, giving them a bushy appearance and making them perfect table toppers.

I’ll discuss the differences between non-climbing and climbing Philodendrons and give you some interesting examples. I will also offer tips on how best to take care of your Philodendron Birkin, from light requirements to watering schedules and even proper fertilization.

Table of Contents

How Big Can a Philodendron Birkin Grow?

Philodendron Birkins grow to a full height of about 3 feet. They are slow-growers, and it will take about 2 or 3 years before you would need to move yours to a bigger pot. They can grow somewhat bushy, so you might want to cut the stems back depending on how you want your Birkin to look.

Self-Heading Philodendrons vs. Vining Philodendrons

It’s easy to see why Philodendrons have become one of the most popular houseplants these days—they are hardy and easy to care for. They do well in both indoor and outdoor setups, making them a favorite among plant collectors.

They’re also loved by their foliage, which comes in a variety of shapes, textures, and sizes.

There are 2 main types of Philodendrons:

Self-Heading Philodendrons

Self-heading philodendrons are arborescent plants. The term comes from “arbor”, the Latin word for tree. Much like trees, self-heading philodendrons grow upright.

Eventually, the older leaves at the bottom fall out. This exposes the stem and makes the plant look even more like a tree. Self-heading philodendrons grow at ground level in their natural habitat and anchor themselves into the ground with their roots.

Self-headers usually grow flowers, which can be used for cross-pollination. The results of this process are hybrid plants, among which are the Philodendron Birkin. A lot of the hybridized species of Philodendrons are self-headers.

Hybrid Philodendrons tend to have larger leaves and more exciting colors and patterns. The Philodendron Birkin is a great example of this, with its green leaves boasting creamy white pinstripes. They’ll undoubtedly spruce up a room with their exciting foliage.

Here are other hybrid self-heading Philodendrons:

Philodendron Black Cardinal. It is known for its large, spade-shaped leaves ranging in color from copper to black.
Philodendron Rojo Congo. Its large leaves start out deep purple, then turn red before hardening to a deep green.
Philodendron Imperial Green. It is known for its smooth, glossy leaves that range in color from light green to emerald green.

Vining Philodendrons

These are the most common types of Philodendrons. You will find them in homes, offices, and restaurants—they make great accent pieces. You’ll often see them flowing down from hanging baskets or climbing up poles.

Vining Philodendrons grow long vines that are accentuated with leaves and aerial roots. These aerial roots attach themselves to almost any surface. Generally, the higher a Philodendron climbs, the bigger its leaves get.

These Philodendrons can be easily propagated with cuttings since their nodes are visible and easy to cut and root.

Here are some of the more popular vining Philodendrons:

Philodendron Heartleaf. As the name suggests, it is famous for its heart-shaped green leaves.
Philodendron Micans. These are mesmerizing plants, with their velvety leaves ranging in color from bronze to moss green.
Philodendron Glorious. These gorgeous giants can grow heart-shaped, veiny leaves as big as your torso.

How To Care for Your Philodendron Birkin

Philodendrons are generally easy to care for. However, because of the unique characteristics of a Birkin, you might have to exert a little extra effort in ensuring that your plant stays in tip-top shape.

Your efforts will be rewarded by lush growth, with each new leaf uniquely patterned and just as striking as the previous ones.

There are 6 essential factors to consider when caring for your Philodendron Birkin:

Light Requirements

The Philodendron Birkin prefers medium to bright indirect light. Direct sunlight might scorch your Birkin’s leaves. Remember that light-colored and variegated leaves burn quicker than dark-colored ones. They also need more light to keep their variegations.

You’ll know that your Birkin doesn’t get adequate light if you notice that it’s beginning to lose those sought-after creamy-white pinstripes.

It would be best to place your plant right beside an east-facing window. This way, it can enjoy some morning sunshine and bright indirect light for the rest of the day. Soft morning light is generally safe, but if your mornings are as hot as Miami’s, you might want to move your plant farther from the window.

If you prefer to grow lights, go for LED lights. They generate less heat than other types of grow lights, minimizing the risk of burning your Birkin’s leaves. LED grow lights are also more energy efficient, so you won’t feel as much burn on your electric bills as well.

Watering Needs

Philodendron Birkins love moist soil. Never let the soil dry out completely, but don’t let it stay wet or soggy either. Over-watering is one of the enemies of your Birkin. Its leaves will turn yellow, wilt, and fall off if you water it too much and too soon. Remember that, when in doubt, it is better to under-water than to over-water your plant.

The finger test is one of the simplest ways to check if your Philodendron Birkin needs water. Stick your finger into the soil a couple of inches into the soil (2.5-5 cm). If the soil feels dry at the top but moist at the bottom, it is safe to water your plant.

If the soil is dry all the way to the bottom, you need to water your plant as soon as possible. If the soil feels wet all the way down, do not water your plant.

Water your Philodendron Birkin thoroughly. Allow the water to completely saturate the soil until it escapes from the drainage holes.

Watering days are opportunities for you to clean your plant. Give it a good shower by hosing down the leaves and stems to get rid of dust and insects that may be hiding in little nooks and crannies.

Humidity Boost

Philodendrons love humidity, and your Birkin is no different. The leaves will develop brown, crispy edges if the air around your plant is too dry. If the issue isn’t addressed promptly, the leaves will turn brown and fall off.

You can boost humidity around your Philodendron Birkin by grouping plants together. You can also try misting your plant but only do it in the early mornings so that excess moisture can evaporate within the day.

A humidifier is a surefire way to boost the humidity in the room. You can also try placing your Philodendron Birkin on top of a pebble tray.

Here’s how to make pebble trays for your plants:

Grab a shallow tray. Make sure your potted Philodendron Birkin can sit comfortably on top of it.
Fill the tray with pebbles. You can use multi-colored, decorative pebbles to make your space more attractive.
Pour water over the pebbles. Make sure the water doesn’t go all the way to the top of the pebbles. The idea is to set the pot on top of dry pebbles so that it doesn’t sit on a wet surface.
Check on the pebble tray every few days. Refill the water as needed. Clean the pebble tray weekly.

Temperature Stability

Philodendrons are tropical plants. If you want your plant to thrive, you must mimic its natural habitat conditions. Your Philodendron Birkin will love temperatures ranging between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Temperatures lower or higher than this range will harm your plant’s health.

Here are some tips on how you can protect your Philodendron Birkin from temperature fluctuations:

Use grow lights. This will be especially helpful if you live in cities like New York or Chicago, where temperatures plummet as winter draws near. Grow lights will help keep your Philodendron warm and cozy.
Say no to drafts. Keeping your Philodendron Birkin near a window is an ideal way to ensure that it gets enough sunlight, but you should be mindful of drafts since these can adversely affect your plant. Consider installing curtains or blinds on your windows.
Stay away from heat. Too much heat is not suitable for your Philodendron Birkin either. Make sure not to place it near a fireplace or a heater—intense heat can quickly wilt its leaves.

Proper Fertilization

Your Philodendron Birkin needs fertilizers to grow. Without adequate nutrition, growth will be stunted, and your plant may become vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections.

No matter what type of fertilizer you choose, always follow instructions on proper application and timing. Too much fertilizer may burn your plant’s roots, while too little is practically pointless.

Pruning

You don’t really need to prune your Philodendron Birkin. You should still get rid of wilting, dead, or rotting leaves and stems, as these may be carriers of germs and bacteria.

If you want your plant to look a certain way or maintain a specific size, pruning is a good way to train it to grow in a particular direction or to stay a particular way.

Key Takeaways

The Philodendron Birkin may not be a prodigious climber like some of the more popular Philodendrons, but it stands its ground as one of the most attractively stunning plants you could ever bring home.

Place it on top of your coffee table, and the room will suddenly seem more stylish. It’s a bonus that it’s easy to care for—it requires moderate light, water, humidity, temperature, and nutrients.