Among the self-heading philodendron varieties regularly available to the collecting public, there really isn’t another like ‘Birkin’. Thin, white lacy veins dance along a thick, leathery leaf surface which is surprisingly tough, a plant that’s incredibly drought resistant. A short, thick stem produces large root systems that essentially never rot, and a slow, but steady growth pace that allows for the plant to participate in a collection rather than take it over. ‘Birkin’ is a very peculiar mutation, one isolated from the large variety ‘Red Congo’, which it sometimes reverts to. In terms of care, a well-draining houseplant soil and ample light will keep a ‘Birkin’ happy for years and years; it is practically indestructible.
