Why the Bottom Leaves of My Philodendron Birkin Started Turning Yellow After Repotting
I repotted my Philodendron Birkin into a larger pot because it was still in it’s nursery pot and starting to get top heavy. The roots looked healthy, the new soil was fresh, and everything seemed fine. That’s until about a week later when I noticed the lower leaves starting to turn yellow.
If you’ve found yourself asking, “Why are the bottom leaves of my Philodendron Birkin turning yellow after repotting?”, you’re not alone. This is a very common post-repotting reaction, and in most cases, it’s completely manageable.
Here’s what’s actually happening.
The Most Likely Reason: Transplant Shock
Even when done correctly, repotting is stressful for plants. When you disturb the roots, especially fine feeder roots, the plant temporarily struggles to absorb water and nutrients. As a survival response, the Birkin will often sacrifice lower older leaves, redirect energy to root recovery, and pause new growth temporarily.
This is called transplant shock, and yellowing bottom leaves are one of the first signs. If only the lower leaves are affected and the top growth looks okay, this is usually normal.
Bigger Pot + Fresh Soil = Easy to Overwater
In my case, the pot upgrade created another issue I didn’t immediately think about, extra soil holds extra moisture. After repotting, you should keep in mind that roots occupy less of the pot, water stays in the soil longer, and oxygen levels around the roots fall. That combination often leads to overwatering symptoms, which show up first as yellowing lower leaves.
Some of the signs you can watch out for are the soil still feels damp days later, leaves are yellow but soft (not crispy), or the pot feels heavy long after watering.
This is one of the most common mistakes we see with Philodendron Birkins after repotting.
When Yellowing Is Normal vs. a Problem
Normal After Repotting
1–3 bottom leaves turning yellow
No spreading to upper leaves
Stems remain firm
No bad smell from the soil
Cause for Concern
Multiple leaves yellowing rapidly
Yellow leaves with mushy stems
Soil smells sour or rotten
New growth stops entirely
If you’re seeing the second list, the issue may be early root rot, not just transplant shock.
What I Did, And What You Should Do
1. Increase Airflow & Light
Bright, indirect light helps the plant photosynthesize more efficiently while recovering.
2. Monitor Watering
After repotting, water based on soil dryness, not routine. Let the top 2–3 inches dry out fully.
3. Prune Fully Yellow Leaves
Once a leaf is fully yellow, it won’t turn green again. Removing it helps the plant focus energy elsewhere.
Why the Yellow Leaves Started at the Bottom
This part is key for peace of mind. Philodendron Birkins always shed older leaves first. When stressed, the plant prioritizes new growth and root recovery, so the bottom leaves go. That doesn’t mean the plant is dying. It means it’s adjusting.
How Long Does Repotting Stress Last?
In most cases yellowing stops within 2–4 weeks. The new growth should resume shortly after the plant stabilizes and the roots re-establish. I know it’s hard, but patience is part of good plant care. In most cases, it’s a mix of transplant shock and temporary moisture imbalance.
With the right adjustments, your Birkin should bounce back stronger.
When to Get Professional Help
If your Philodendron Birkin continues declining more than a month after repotting, it may need a root inspection, soil correction, proper drainage, and a watering plan. If you need an extra set of eyes, these are exactly the kind of issues we help with at St Clair Plant Care. If you love your plant, but don’t want to guess, reach out to us.