The Philodendron xanadu belongs to the plant family Araceae. It is grown for indoor usage and is commonly known as “winterbourn.” This plant is ideal for small homes and can be kept indoors easily. The best part is that the older a xanadu gets, the better it looks. The bright green, toothed, and textured foliage is a simple way to add a tropical accent to your home.
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Philodendron xanadu: Key facts
| Scientific Name Thaumatophyllum xanadu (Previously Philodendron xanadu)
Common Name Winterbourn Origin Brazil Light Requirements Medium to bright, indirect light. Will scorch in direct sunlight. Does better than many houseplants in lower light Watering Requires consistently moist soil. Water thoroughly once the top inch of soil dries out. Avoid letting the plant sit in soggy soil, as it can be prone to root rot. Soil A light, open, well-draining potting mix is important. A mix of equal parts peat/coco coir, perlite, and compost is a good choice Temperature Does best between 65ºF (18ºC) and 85ºF (29ºC). Try to keep the temperature above 55°F (13°C) Fertiliser Fertilise every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser diluted to half the recommended dose Humidity Moderate to high humidity levels. >40%, ideally. Flowering Rarely blooms indoors Pruning Minimal pruning is required other than to remove old or damaged foliage. Propagation Best propagated by division, but stem cuttings can also be propagated Repotting Doesn’t require frequent repotting. Wait until the plant shows signs of becoming rootbound Diseases and Pests Fairly pest resistant. Erwinia can be an issue, as can common pathogens causing root rot Toxicity Toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Sap can also cause skin irritation. |
The Genus
Philodendron
Native Habitat
Philodendron Xanadu is a native of the Brazilian rainforest. This non-vining plant is a popular indoor potted plant and is planted in places with tropical, subtropical and warm temperature. If grown inside, it will not expand as widely. It prefers to spread its “toothed” leaf farther rather than growing vertically, occasionally reaching widths of 5 feet.
Sun tolerance
Philodendron Xanadu being a native of Brazil loves the sun. It grows well in both sun and in indirect light inside the house. However, take care that there is not too much sun, as this may result in the leaves of this plant turn to a yellowish green colour.
Mature height
Philodendron Xanadu, in optimal conditions can grow upto a height of 2 to 4 feet and a width of around 3 to 5 feet. Easy to grow, it becomes more and more beautiful as it ages.
Leaves
The leather textured green leaves of the lovely, exotic-looking foliage plant Philodendron Xanadu can grow up to 16 to 18 inches in length and 7 to 14 inches in width. These grow beautifully when in indirect light or in the sun for some time. There are 15–20 distinct lobes on each glossy, leathery, green leaf.
Crown shaft
From the central crown, the leaves of the Philodendron Xanadu spread across in all directions. Owing to this feature, it looks like a full plant and is often a choice when it comes to choosing pants as part of mass plantings.
Leaf colour
Too much of sun may result these green beauties to turn yellow.
Cold tolerance
Philodendron Xanadu grows well between 18 degrees Celsius to 28 degree Celsius. It has no-frost hardiness and can be grown only in tropical and sub-tropical areas.
Self pruning characteristic
Remove all the leaves that have turned yellow or dead as these may affect the appearance of the plant. Also, the Philodendron Xanadu grow too much in width and to manage them timely pruning is recommended. Finally, as part of the cleaning, don’t leave the pruned portions on the soil as fungus gnats may grow on them and affect the plant going forward.
Growth rate
The Philodendron xanadu has a moderate growth rate and many years take for the plant to reach its mature size.
Fruit
The Philodendron xanadu has no fruit
Flower
The Philodendron xanadu has green flowers that blooms throughout the year in frequent intervals. The spadix is pointy and covered with numerous little flowers.
Philodendron xanadu: Physical description
- You may grow a xanadu plant either inside or outside.
- If grown inside, it will not expand as widely. It prefers to spread its “toothed” leaf farther rather than growing vertically, occasionally reaching widths of 5 feet.
- In optimal conditions, a Philodendron can grow to a height of 2-4 feet and a width of 3-5 feet.
- The leaves of this lovely, exotic-looking foliage plant can measure up to 16′′–18′′ in length and 7′′–14′′ in width.
- There are 15–20 distinct lobes on each glossy, leathery, green leaf.
- The spadix is pointy and covered with numerous little flowers.
Philodendron xanadu: How to grow?
- A xanadu can be multiplied by cutting or dividing.
- Compared to most other Philodendrons, it grows best in brighter environments.
- However, direct sun or artificial light is optimal for its growth. Therefore, make sure the soil is well-drained before planting, whether in a pot or an outdoor garden.
- When kept in excessive moisture, this species will start to turn yellow.
- When you are repotting your plant, divide a portion of the plant to propagate by division by gently removing one “clump” of the plant and carefully separating the roots, then repotting it in a different container.
- Cut off a side shoot and remove the majority of the leaves to propagate through cutting; leave two or three at the top.
- Put the cutting in the ground; it will begin to root in two to three weeks.
- A pot that is two to three inches larger than the root ball can be ideal for growing Winterbourn.
- To prevent overwatering, stick to containers with drip holes.
- When the roots begin to fill the pot, transplant them to a larger container for a happier plant.
Philodendron xanadu: Maintenance
- Being a tropical plant, the xanadu prefers medium to bright indirect light.
- This means that if your xanadu is indoors, it might thrive near a window with a sheer drape or another light-filtering material.
- The plant still receives a significant amount of sunlight despite the light not shining directly on it.
- Any place with some light shade is ideal for outdoor growing.
- As a tropical plant, it needs to be maintained indoors in warmer climates because it doesn’t thrive well in freezing weather.
- Stay away from poorly ventilated spaces, especially in winter.
- This plant is relatively drought-tolerant, so choose a location with good drainage.
- When planting, fill the hole with composted cow manure while mixing topsoil or organic peat moss.
- These plants prefer a little bit of drying time between waterings, so constantly check the soil by poking your finger about an inch deep to make sure you aren’t overwatering.
- Wait a little while before watering again; water only if the soil feels wet to the touch.
- The xanadu can tolerate higher humidity levels, but it has also acclimated to more typical indoor circumstances, making humidity less of an issue than fertilisation.
- In the spring and fall, feed once a month, once every two weeks in the summer, and never in the winter.
- Use a balanced plant food that is half as strong as the label suggests. The plant requires extra food if its leaves are shrinking and its new growth is proceeding slowly.
- Use a high-quality granular fertiliser to fertilise your plants three times a year—in the spring, summer, and fall.
- A xanadu hardly ever needs trimming because of the lovely cushion shape that is naturally formed by its clumping growth style. The only thing required is to snip the leaves off at the stem base.
- Despite having strong resistance to pests, this species of Philodendron may occasionally be troubled by mealybugs.
- If you come across one, remove it using pesticide detergent or neem oil. Pests can be prevented from attaching to your plant by routine leaf washing and spritzing.
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Philodendron xanadu: Uses
- It is valuable for preserving the environment.
- Xanadu can simultaneously absorb radiation, emit oxygen, and purify the air.
Garden Use
- A mature xanadu’s fluffy mound shape makes it a great option for landscaping bushes, for edgings or walks, as a foundation plant, or as an accent plant.
Philodendron xanadu: Toxicity
Philodendron xanadu plants are toxic in nature. These should be kept away from children and pets since they are thought to be harmful. In case a dog ingests Philodendron Xanadu, he could experience digestive and respiratory issues that can also be fatal. Ingesting the Philodendron Xanadu can cause burning sensation in the mouth, tongue, throat and also lead to difficulty in breathing.
FAQs
Does Philodendron xanadu grow fast?
Yes, it will shortly overrun its pot due to its rapid growth, at which point you can either repot it into a bigger pot or separate it into two smaller plants.
Is Philodendron xanadu an indoor plant?
Not particularly. This plant can be cultivated both indoors and outdoors.
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