Why are my Philodendron Birkin’s leaves curling?

Philodendron Birkin plants are the next big thing! Their incredible white and green pinstripe leaves are definitely one of a kind. But if you notice that your Philodendron Birkin’s leaves are curling then this may be signalling that something isn’t quite right.

Underwatering

If the leaves on your Philodendron Birkin have turned brown as well as curling, then it may be due to underwatering. Birkin plants like to have some moisture in the soil and are definitely not drought tolerant. Because of this, we tend to take a little but often approach when it comes to watering.

If you think your Philodendron Birkin has been underwatered and this is causing the curling leaves then check the soil before you change anything! You want to make sure the soil definitely is dry before giving it more water as otherwise, this can cause more issues than the curling leaves. The most reliable way to check the moisture levels in the soil is by using a moisture meter. They are really affordable little devices that you pop into the soil and it’ll you how damp or dry the soil is. We always recommend this one from Amazon.

Your first reaction to an underwatered Philodendron Birkin might be to drown it in water in hope it will suddenly recover. But plants can get quite shocked by a sudden and dramatic change in their environment. This means that we need to slowly reintroduce water over the course of about a week. After that, you can go back to a normal watering routine. Going forward make sure to monitor how dry the soil is getting to avoid more curling leaves and potentially even other more serious issues.

Overwatering

As with underwatering, too much water can also be very bad for your Philodendron Birkin and cause curling leaves. Consistent overwatering will mean that the roots start to rot and become damaged. This stops them being able to deliver water and vital nutrients to the plant which causes the leaves to curl.

To figure out if overwatering is definitely the cause of your Pilea’s brown leaves, check how soggy the soil is with a moisture meter. If it is waterlogged then replace it with fresh potting mix (we love this one from Miracle Gro as it will give your plant all the right nutrients) to allow your plant and its roots to recover.

It’s best to cut away the rotten roots so that your Philodendron Birkin can focus on growing new healthy growth and doesn’t waste any energy trying to keep the dying or dead roots alive.

Quick tip: waterlogged soil also gives off quite an unpleasant damp smell so this is a great way to spot the problem before it has really affected the roots/ leaves.

Cold temperatures

This is quite a common cause of curling Philodendron Birkin leaves. As they are native to the tropics, Philodendron Birkins thrive in warm temperatures. If they are placed next to a drafty window or door or are in a cool room in your home then they will struggle and the leaves will begin to curl. Use a digital thermometer to make sure your Birkin is in the right spot.

Move your Philodendron Birkin to the warmest room in your home and the leaves should begin to uncurl.

Lack of humidity

For similar reasons to with cold temperatures, Philodendron Birkin plants need high humidity to thrive. Although slightly dry air won’t immediately kill your Philodendron Birkin plant it can cause curling leaves and brown leaf tips.

Below are some of the cheapest and easiest ways to raise the humidity for your Philodendron Birkin (and other houseplants).

Mist the leaves

This is something you should build into your regular Philodendron Birkin plant care routine as it’s really great for their overall health Mist the leaves a few times each week with a spray bottle. Avoid misting the leaves in the evenings as the leaves are more susceptible to rotting when the temperatures are lower. We love using these amber glass spray bottles from Amazon.

Shower your Philodendron Birkin

One simple trick that raises the humidity in an instant is showering your plant. It’s also a super easy way to get rid of dust or pests that might be secretly living on your plant without paying rent! Shower your Philodendron Birkin with lukewarm water so you don’t shock or burn the plant.

Pick the right room

If you have good levels of natural sunlight in your kitchen or bathroom then we always recommend moving your Philodendron Birkin in there if it’s struggling with a lack of humidity. The humidity level in those rooms is naturally higher than in other areas of your home because of showering and cooking which will get rid of the curling leaves in no time. If you aren’t sure which spots in your home have a good humidity level, pick up a humidity monitor.

Invest in a humidifier

Humidifiers are a must-have for any plant parent! They keep the room nice and humid which is not only great for your plants but also for you. They help with getting a good nights sleep as well as clear skin so what’s not to love!

We always recommend this one from Amazon our plants love it!

Those are the most common reasons why your Philodendron Birkin has developed curling leaves. Hopefully, if there aren’t too many other problems along with the curling leaves then you should have caught the problem fairly early and after a few simple changes, your Birkin should be back to full health in no time. If you want to find out more about Birkin care visit our plant care guide here.