Plants move in and out of our Greenhouse on a regular basis. Some stick around for a bit, while others fly out of here almost as soon as we unpack them – which is often the case with Philodendron ‘Birkin,’ a more recent cultivar that currently enjoys its share of attention among plant enthusiasts. We recently received a new batch of ’Birkin’, and while it’s still here, we thought we’d share what attracts people to this handsome member of the philodendron clan.
More Stunning With Age
‘Birkin’ sports glossy green, heart-shaped foliage with eye-catching, white to creamy-yellow pinstripes. And like monstera, another hugely popular and more commonly recognized houseplant, ‘Birkin’ changes its look over time. Starting life as an all-green juvenile, ‘Birkin’ develops its sophisticated striping with maturity. And after it does, this stunning variegation might remind you more and more of a calathea or maranta in its pattern. In our collection, many of our ‘Birkin’ are just starting to show this unique variegation.
A Philodendron with Manners
When you hear “philodendron,” several wildly different images may come to mind. It’s a genus with close to 500 species with a broad range of growth forms. Some are delicate and vining, reaching out in all directions with long, slender stems like the heartleaf philodendron. Some stay close to their pot but sport huge, rippled leaves like P. bifinnatifidum – better known as selloum.
Philodendron ‘Birkin’ falls in between these extremes. For comparison, think ‘Prince of Orange,’ an upright-growing philodendron with colorful foliage. Over time, ‘Birkin’ may even demonstrate a little of that philodendron climbing heritage too, but you won’t need to reach for a trellis any time soon.
Easy-Care, per Usual
If you’re experienced with philodendrons as houseplants, you know the care drill already. Low light is tolerated but bright, indirect light is ideal – especially if you want to support the best expression of those beautiful pinstripes. Plant in a potting mix that retains moisture but drains well – a professional, all-purpose potting mix like Fafard is perfect. And for watering a ‘Birkin,’ let the top inch or so of soil dry before giving a thorough drink followed by a good drain without letting water sit in the tray for too long. Starting in the late spring, when nighttime temperatures stay above fifty degrees, your ‘Birkin’ will relish the warmth and humidity outdoors in a brightly shaded location, protected from the direct sun.
Grab It When You See It
We’re always excited to see this popular houseplant land in our collection., And we’re happy to have our growers start offering more of these for us too. Come visit us in the Greenhouse and take a look at these beautiful houseplants before they wander away.
