I find all Philodendrons to be fun and easy houseplants. They are extremely diverse looking, with some sporting different leaf shapes, sizes, and colors. The Philodendron Birkin is a hybrid philodendron or self-heading. That means it grows in more of a vertical pattern and not vining like other philodendrons. I have a few of these hybrids (Birkin, Prince of Orange, and McColley’s Finale). They’re really interesting looking and low maintenance. Today I’ll tell you about the Philodendron Birkin light requirements.
Philodendron Birkin Light Requirements
General consensus is that Philodendron hybrids like the Birkin require bright indirect light. But what bright indirect light in real life? Bright light typically comes through a south or west-facing window of your home if you’re in the northern hemisphere. This is due to the earth’s tilt. If you have a western or southern-facing window, that would be a good spot for your Philodendron Birkin.
Keep in mind, the common directions are for bright indirect light. In houseplant speak, that basically means don’t keep it right next to the window. However, there are many ways light can be indirect. If your window is shaded by some trees or shrubs that could be indirect. Window treatments such as a sheer curtain over your window can also transform direct light into indirect light. In my own case, I keep all of my Philodendron hybrids in a south-facing window. The window has a really big Crepe Myrtle in front of it though so the light is kind of dappled and my Philodendrons really like it.
Philodendron Birkin Sunburn
If your Philodendron Birkin gets too much light, it may become sunburnt. It’s rare for sunburn to completely kill a plant, but of course, you want to avoid it if possible. Sunburn appears as scorched-looking spots on your leaves, they may become discolored and then crispy. The topmost leaves closest to the window are more likely to be affected rather than the lower ones. If you’re unsure about light levels and you accidentally put your Philodendron in light that is too bright, you may end up losing some leaves. However, Philodendrons are very resilient and they can typically bounce back from something like that.
Philodendron Birkin Low Light
Some Philodendrons are marketed as low-light plants. It’s true that they can survive in pretty low-light environments. The hybrid Philodendrons are known specifically for their ornate foliage. The Birkin’s leaves typically start out as mostly white or cream with thin green stripes and then they slowly revert to green as they mature. To get the best-looking leaves, your Philodendron Birkin will require some optimal light. If your Birkin isn’t putting out vibrant variegated leaves, then you should consider moving it to a spot that will receive more light.
Plant Light Meter
If you’re still hesitant to take any chances with your Philodendron Birkin, then you should get a light meter. My recommendation for hobby gardeners is this plant monitor that does light, moisture, and nutrient measurement. I find it to be the best in its price range because it lets you track the amount of light your plant is getting every hour and it hooks up to an app. This means you’re always recording how much light is coming in and you know exactly how much sun your plant received. Others in this price range only give you the light measurement when you physically look at the tool. I have a very in-depth write-up on this plant monitor if you’re interested.
I'm a long time plant lover on the quest to happily coexist with as many plants as I can. Let's grow!