The Philodendron Xanadu, sometimes referred to as Philodendron “Winterbourn”, is a large compact easy to grow plant. Each shiny, green, leathery leaf has 15-20 distinct lobes. A Philodendron Xanadu is often wider than it is tall, reaching a height of 2-4ft. and a width of 3-5ft in ideal conditions. The leaves of this beautiful, exotic looking foliage plant can be as large as 16″-18″ long and 7″-14″ wide. These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me to Your Cat: A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants. Unlike many philodendrons, like the Monstera Deliciosa, the Xanadu is an upright plant not a climber or vine. The best part is the older a Xanadu gets the better it looks.
Plant Care
Light
A Philodendron Xanadu needs more light than other philodendron plants to maintain its compact appearance. It grows best in medium, indirect light. Too much bright light causes the leaves to become pale and bleached looking; too little light and the stems become elongated as the plant stretches towards the light. Direct sun burns the leaves.
Water
Water a Xanadu thoroughly until the water drains out the drip holes in the bottom of the pot, and then allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out before watering again. Leaves turn yellow if the soil stays too wet. A Xanadu grows more slowly in the winter and requires less water.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly in the spring and fall, every other week in the summer, and never in the winter. Use a balanced plant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. If the leaves are getting smaller and new growth is slow, the plant needs more food.
Temperature
Daytime temperatures 75° to 80°F ( 23.9°-26.7°C); nighttime temperatures 65°- 70° F (18.3°-21.1°C)
Humidity
Philodendrons like high humidity but still grow well in regular household humidity.
Pests
A Philodendron Xanadu attracts aphids and mealy bugs. If the air is very dry, spider mites are also a problem.
Diseases
Bacterial diseases, especially all varieties of leaf spot disease, are a problem for the Philodendron Xanadu. Root rot from over- watering can seriously hurt the plant and cause the plant to die. Cool temperatures, dry leaves, and good air circulation helps prevent diseases.
Soil
Use a potting soil high in organic matter that drains quickly.
Pot Size
These plants like to be repotted as soon as their roots start to fill the existing pot. Use a a container that has drip holes in the botton and is about two -three inches larger than the root ball.
Pruning
A Xanadu does not require much pruning. If the plant is getting too large and taking over your room, remove leaves by cutting them off at the base of their stem.
Propagation
A Xanadu is propagated by plant division. Read about this type of propagation technique in the Glossary of the website.
Poisonous Plant Info
A Philodendron Xanadu is a poisonous plant with a level #1 toxicity. Philodendrons are especially poisonous to dogs and cats.
FAQ
A Philodendron Xanadu never needs to be pruned. The plant’s shape usually resembles a large mushroom cap. Keep a Philodendron Xanadu in good light so that it stays compact and does not become leggy and sparse looking.
Propagate a Philodendron Xanadu by simple plant division. Separate the plant and its roots into two sections, use your hand to gently pull the root ball apart, do not use a knife. Plant the Philodendron Xanadu sections in pots that are only an inch or two larger than the root ball to prevent over-watering and root rot.
There is a new variety called the Golden Philodendron Xanadu. The beautiful leaf shape is the same, but the color of the leaves goes from a glossy bright yellow to various shades of green.
A Philodendron Xanadu may get flowers especially if you put it outside in the shade during the summer. The flowers, however, are not very attractive. I‘d cut them off so the beautiful leaves can grow more quickly.