Birkin Leaves Turning White [6 Causes and Fixes]

The most unique feature of the Philodendron Birkin or simply Birkin is the creamy or white stripes on their shiny, green leaves. However, this only appears in mature plants.

The leaves may not always be green and white alone. Occasionally they come in shades of full red or red spots and white streaks, giving off an exotic air.

We must warn that despite its distinguished look, you will have to keep Birkins away from the reach of children and pets because it is toxic. 

If you notice that your Birkin is beginning to sport only or mostly white colour, you’d want to know why. Here, we will establish the causes of Birkin leaves turning white and also explain how to fix it.

6 Reasons Why Birkin Leaves Turn White

Birkin leaves can turn white for a lot of reasons, but in almost all cases, white leaves are a sign that your plant is in distress. When you notice this sudden change, it is important to pay attention to what your Birkin plant is trying to tell you. 

Maybe it is lacking in essential nutrients, not getting the right amount of sunlight or water, or being attacked by pests or fungus. You will have to inspect the plant to find out exactly which of these situations it fits into.

Still, there are circumstances when the presence of more white than green on the leaves is completely normal.

Here are 6 common causes of Birkin leaves turning white and their solutions:

1. Normal new growth

2. Too much sunlight

3. Too little sunlight

4. Overwatering

5. Fungal disease

6. Pest Infestation

1. Normal New Growth 

This is an example of a case where white on Birkin leaves is perfectly normal and does not need remedy. When a Birkin grows new leaves, it is normal for them to be completely white. 

This should not be a reason for worry as this shows that your plant is healthy and growing. As they age and mature, these new leaves finally turn green. 

Fix: 

It’s all a normal part of the Birkins growing cycle and should not be a cause for concern. No treatment or action is needed.

2. Too Much Sunlight

Birkins don’t react well to receiving too much heat or sitting for long hours in full sun. They should always be placed in a spot where they are protected from direct sunlight. 

With repeated exposure to direct sunlight, your Birkin’s elegant leaves can suffer sun damage, also known as sunburn. In the early stages, sunburn can cause the leaves to fall off and turn white or pale yellow. 

Subsequently, they turn brown and dry up.

You can protect your Birkin from sunburn or prevent further damage to it. Two of the best ways to save your plant are to move your Birkin away from the light source and cover the light source with a transparent shade to filter out some of the sun’s rays. 

Fix: 

Bright, indirect light is best for Birkins. So place your plant a little distance away from a bright window for optimal sunlight. 

This way your Birkin can get enough sun and still be protected from It.

You can also purchase a humidifier to dampen the air around your Birkin.

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3. Too Little Sunlight

Not getting enough sun can be just as disastrous as getting too much sun. Like all plants, Birkins need sunlight to make food and the plant pigment chlorophyll is required. 

If kept out of sunlight, a lack of chlorophyll can occur, causing your Birkin’s leaves to fade or turn white, fragile, and limp. Too little sunlight can damage your Birkin and slow down its growth.

Fix: 

Put your plant in a spot that gets plenty of indirect sunlight such as a window with shades.

4. Overwatering 

Birkins can easily be overwatered like many other plants. When this happens, it can lead to diseases like root rot, which can quickly become serious or even kill the plant if it is not taken care of at once.

Root rot damages a plant’s roots and makes it difficult for them to absorb nutrients. Since your plant isn’t getting enough nutrients, its growth will also slow down or stop altogether.

The lack of nutrients weakens the plant and turns its leaves white.

Fix: 

To prevent root rot for potted Birkin, make sure your Birkin’s pot has drainage holes and allows the soil to dry out between waterings. You should also stop watering for a while. 

Once the potting soil is dry when you put your finger in it, you can water it again.

5. Fungal Disease 

Fungal disease can also be the major culprit if your Birkin has developed white spots on its leaves. The common fungus that attacks Birkins is powdery mildew. 

It is more common in spring and fall when the sunlight is moderate and in environments that are heavily shaded. Left untreated, this fungal infection can damage or kill your Birkin. 

Fix: 

In its early stages, the fungus can be eradicated by removing infected leaves but once the fungus has spread, the entire plant must be treated with fungicide to eliminate the disease. 

For a natural treatment, you can use neem oil to treat a fungal infection on your Birkin.

6. Pest Infestations 

Several pests can attack a Birkin and leave white spots on its leaves. Mealy Bugs, woolly aphids and spider mites are some.

Mealybugs are small white insects that attach themselves to the underside of Birkin leaves. Another pest, the woolly aphid, leaves a white substance behind. 

Spider mites spin tiny white or grey webs around the plant. When these insects invade, it can lead to your Birkin leaves turning white or getting splotches of white all over.

Fix:

If you notice any of these, you should act immediately to prevent any further damage. Some ways to do this include cleaning the plant with rubbing alcohol, treating it with neem oil, and separating the plant from others to keep the infestation from spreading. 

Can White Birkin Leaves Turn Green Again?

Birkin leaves can return to their original green colouring but it depends on why they turned white in the first place. If it was because of the normal growth of new leaves on the plants, the young white leaves will eventually become green. 

In the other cases, though, leaves that have turned white often never recover and stay white. Make sure your Birkin plants receive just enough sun–not too much or too little, and are not overwatered or infected by any pests and diseases for stunning green and white streaked foliage.

Should You Cut Off White Birkin Leaves?

The answer will depend on the cause of the Birkin leaves turning white. In the case of a fungal infestation, the white leaves should be cut off unless the infestation is widespread. 

But if it was caused by the growth of young leaves then they should not be cut under any circumstances. They will grow nice and green as they mature. 

Whether or not to cut the whitened leaves of your Birkin is based purely on decorative purposes. If you don’t like the damaged white areas, you can trim them off while being careful not to damage your Birkin.

Why Are Your Birkin Leaves White?

What are the reasons for Birkin leaves turning white? Too much or too little sunlight, overwatering, fungal infections, and pest infestations can all cause your Birkin’s leaves to turn white. 

All of these conditions must be treated immediately to prevent further damage. However, young white leaves are a normal sign of new growth and mean your plant is healthy and thriving. 

These leaves will eventually mature into the beautiful variegated green leaves that make the Birkin so unique.

Birkins And Humidity

Birkins need humidity so put this into consideration when growing them. Remember that philodendrons come from the rainforest, so they do best in as much moisture as possible. 

A good place to place a Birkin in the house is in a bathroom window where it will get both sunlight and moisture. If you don’t have a bathroom with decent lighting, you can mist the leaves or add a humidifier.

Spray them every other day during the growing season and reduce them to twice a week in winter. Another good way to keep them moist is to place them in a gravel tray filled with water. 

As the water evaporates, the plant benefits directly and will remove the extra moisture from the soil too. If this all sounds like too much work, consider a higher humidity environment like a greenhouse cabinet.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Conclusion

There are several explanations for Birkin leaves turning white, including too little or too much sun, too much water, fungal diseases or pests, or even normal new leaf growth. 

The cause of white Birkin leaves can often be identified by the type of whitening your plant is experiencing. For example, discoloured white leaves can mean your Birkin has been overwatered or exposed to excessive sun, while fuzzy white patches can indicate an infestation or the presence of fungi.

New leaves on a Birkin are all white. This is completely normal. As they mature, the leaves turn green. 

In addition, Birkin leaves are too delicate to withstand direct sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can cause sun damage and whiten the leaves.

Too much water can cause Birkin root to rot and change the leaves from green to white. Root rot makes it difficult for the plant to absorb nutrients. A lack of nutrients can cause your Birkin’s leaves to turn white.

If you notice any of these signs, you should take steps to treat the infestation. This can be done in several ways, including cleaning the plant with rubbing alcohol, treating it with neem oil, and isolating it so the infestation doesn’t spread to other plants. 

Neem oil is ideal for treating insects and fungi infestation so it’s great to have a little on hand for all your gardening needs.