Why does my Philodendron Birkin have brown leaves?

Philodendron Birkin plants have been popping up more and more in plant shops around the world. The once-rare plant can be pretty fuss-free if it is in the right environment.

However, if you notice the leaves on your Philodendron Birkin are turning brown then there may be something in the care routine or its location in your home that needs changing. Below are the main reasons why your Philodendron Birkin has brown leaves:

Underwatering

If your Philodendron Birkin’s leaves have become quite brown, dry and crispy (starting from the tips) it may be because you have underwatered your plant for a while. Although your Philodendron Birkin won’t die on you suddenly if you make it go a little while without water, consistent underwatering will start to have an impact on your plant’s roots and overall plant health. It is important to keep an eye on the moisture levels in the soil so you know when your Philodendron Birkin is ready to be watered.

Check the moisture levels in the soil before each water so you can start to see when it may need more or less water. There are a few really easy ways to make sure that it definitely needs water. First check the moisture at the top of the soil, if it is still damp then wait a few days before watering again. You can also lift up your Philodendron Birkin to check the weight of the plant before and after watering. You will then start to be able to gauge how heavy the soil is when it’s time for watering.

If you still aren’t sure how to tell if your Philodendron Birkin needs watering, then we recommend getting a moisture meter. They are really affordable little devices which you pop into the soil and it’ll tell you how damp the soil is. You can pick one up from Amazon here.

If you have been underwatering your Philodendron Birkin then your first instinct might be to give it loads of water straight away. However, this can actually be harmful to your plant if the soil goes from one extreme to the other. Yes, plants can get shocked too by a sudden change in environment. So instead you want to reintroduce frequent watering for a week or two and this should solve the problem.

If there are not brown leaves all over your Philodendron Birkin then you should have time to rectify the problem before it is too late. Trim away the brown parts and any new growth should hopefully have those incredible white pinstripes again!

Dry air

Alongside watering, it is important that you try and increase the humidity for your Philodendron Birkin as they are tropical plants that need high humidity levels to properly thrive. Often our homes can have quite dry air, especially in the winter months where we often have the heating on for several hours in the day. A lack of humidity in the air can cause the leaves to be a little limp, droop down, and turn dry, brown and crispy from the tips inwards.

But luckily for plant parents, it can be pretty simple to increase the humidity for your Philodendron Birkin, here are our top tips:

Misting the leaves

One of the simplest ways to increase the humidity for your Philodendron Birkin is to mist the leaves with a spray bottle a couple of times a week.

Pebble tray

Place your Philodendron Birkin over a tray of pebbles with fresh water over the top. Over the day water from the tray will evaporate giving your plant exactly what they’re looking for.

Give your Philodendron Birkin a shower

To quickly raise the humidity and wash down your plant of any long-standing dust, you can always give them a quick shower. Simply pop them in the shower and wash them down with lukewarm water, this will clean off the leaves and give the soil a good soaking. You will want to keep the water pressure fairly low so you don’t cause any further damage to the leaves or stems.

Move your Philodendron Birkin to the bathroom

If you’re lucky enough to have great lighting in your bathroom you can move your Philodendron Birkin in there to increase the humidity. The running water from your showers means your bathroom is probably one of the most humid in your home and a great place for your houseplants to thrive in.

Buy a humidifier

They’re relatively affordable little devices and they make keeping a consistent humidity level so much easier. Most will allow you to place them on a timer so they run on a fixed schedule, and some will even have a built-in monitor so they automatically turn on and off to keep the humidity exactly where you want it. We recommend this humidifier available on Amazon.

Want to know more about how to raise the humidity for your Philodendron Birkin and other houseplants? We have a whole guide on this in our houseplant ebook.

Overwatering

Another cause of brown leaves on a Philodendron Birkin may be overwatering. However, this will often show in yellow or mushy leaves so it’s best to check the moisture levels in the soil before changing anything.

Philodendron Birkin Plants don’t like to be sitting in a lot of water for long periods of time as this can lead to root rot meaning the plant cannot get needed nutrients from its root system. Waterlogged soil also gives off quite a damp and musty smell so get up close to your plants every so often to check on this.

If you think that your Philodendron Birkin is waterlogged, check the moisture of the soil immediately and adjust watering accordingly. Using a moisture meter is the most reliable way to determine how damp the soil is.

We also recommend replacing the potting soil straight away (rather than waiting for it to naturally dry out) so that the roots can begin to recover. Use a high-quality potting mix like this one from Miracle Gro to make sure your plant gets all the right nutrients. Cut away the rotten roots and dead leaves so that the plant focuses on regenerating healthy growth.

These are the main reasons why your Philodendron Birkin has developed brown leaves. It is important that you catch the problem early as this will give your plant the best chance at recovering fully. To find out more about Philodendron Birkin care visit our plant guide or download our ebook today.