Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Alocasia x mortfontanensis Dark metallic green leaves with white veins.
Philodendron Leaves with white pinstripes; decorative container
Yucca gigantea Woody-trunked yucca with tuft of lanceolate leaves
Philodendron xanadu has some common insect problems:
Banded Greenhouse Thrips

Winterbourn Philodendron Philodendron xanadu

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Philodendron 'Xanadu'
  • Thaumatophyllum xanadu
Phonetic Spelling
fil-oh-DEN-dron ZAH-nah-due
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Xanadu philodendron thrives as a houseplant or in a warm-weather landscape. It was in the nursery trade long before it was given a formal species name. It is believed to be native to southern Brazil and Paraguay. This plant is a member of the Arum family (Araceae).

This is a low-maintenance plant and if planted outdoors, prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, rich, well-drained soils. It is hardy in zones 9b to 11b. Indoors, it prefers bright but indirect light, some humidity, and temperature ranges of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Yellowing of the leaves will occur if overwatered. Container plants may need to be repotted every 1 to 2 years.

It has a dense, mounding, spreading habit, and measures 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.  The leaves are large, glossy, green, deeply dissected and lobed, and are born on long petioles. If grown outside, the bloom is a dark red spathe that surrounds a creamy white spadix. Indoor plants typically do not bloom. It also has large aerial roots and stout, unbranched, red stems. 

This plant is sometimes given the cultivar name 'Winterbourn'. This cultivar name has not been registered with the International Aroid Society, and plants with this name appear to have no features that distinguish the cultivar from the species. 

When planted outdoors in the landscape, consider this plant as a tropical accent for lining a walkway or driveway, along the edge of a patio or deck, or for foundation planting. In cooler climates, it is suitable as a houseplant. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • evergreen, dense, compact, spreading, mounding habit
  • glossy, deeply lobed, green foliage on long petioles
  • leaves measure up to 12 inches long and 7 inches wide
  • if planted outdoors bloom is a dark red spathe with creamy white spadix

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Xanadu philodendron may be susceptible to aphids, mealy bugs, scale, thrips, and spider mites. This plant is vulnerable to leaf spots from fungi, and overwatering should be avoided.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

More information on Philodendron.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#interiorscape#mounding#spreading#deer resistant#foundation planting#warm climates#border planting#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#tropical#contact dermatitis#container plant#dense growth#poisonous if ingested#poisonous leaves#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#interiorscape#mounding#spreading#deer resistant#foundation planting#warm climates#border planting#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#tropical#contact dermatitis#container plant#dense growth#poisonous if ingested#poisonous leaves#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Philodendron
    Species:
    xanadu
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    southern Brazil & Paraguay
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    When planted outdoors, the plant has a seasonal bloom that is a dark red spathe surrounding a creamy white spadix. The inflorescence measures 4 to 5 inches tall. Indoor plants seldom bloom.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are large and measure up to 12 to 18 inches in length and up to 7 to 14 inches wide. They are green, deeply lobed, glossy, and appear on long petioles.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems are stout, red, and unbranched.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    If the leaves or stems are eaten or chewed, swelling of the lips, tongue, and mouth can occur. It may also cause mouth pain and drooling. The sap can cause skin irritation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems