Philodendron Xanadu Care - Tips For A Happy Plant

Philodendron xanadu care is easy as these plants thrive in most household conditions with a little bit of care…

Philodendron Xanadu Care Summary

Light needs:	Indirect sunlight, from medium to bright.
Watering needs:	Water when the top layer of soil dries out, check once a week.
Fertilizer:	Balanced feed in spring and summer.
Soil:	A well-draining potting compost full of rich organic matter and perlite.
Humidity:	Normal household humidity, mist them 3 times a week too.
Temperature:	15-25°C (approx. 60-77°F).
Where to buy:	Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
Other names:	Philodendron winterbourn, thaumatophyllum xanadu, philodendron bipinnatifidum.
Common issues:	Pests can attack the leaves.

Introduction

Welcome to our guide to philodendron xanadu care. The philodendron xanadu aka the thaumatophyllum xanadu is a firm favorite philodendron with it’s distinctively shaped foliage. We run down all you need to know to care for these awesome plants…

Light Needs

Philodendrons like the xanadu like indirect sunlight, from medium to bright. They will do ok in lower light conditions too, it just might grow slower or leggier.

How Often to Water A Philodendron Xanadu

Water when the top layer of soil dries out. You can check with it with your finger once a week and only water your xanadu when the top 3 centimeters (just over an inch) are dry.

Tip: Let the soil mostly dry out before watering again, they can get root rot relatively easily. Make sure all water drains out of the pot after watering before putting it back in its external pot or saucer.

Fertilizer

You can feed your philodendron xanadu in the spring and summer months to encourage faster and fuller growth. Use a balanced fertilizer but the first time you use it make sure you dilute it much more than the instructions require to make sure the plant does not burn, then get stronger each time gradually up to a full dose.

Soil

A well-draining potting compost full of rich organic matter and perlite is a good choice for a philodendron xanadu. For more on Philodendron soil see our guide on what to buy or how to make your own: P h ilodendron Soil.

When To Repot A Philodendron Xanadu

They can grow relatively quickly, so repot them once a year in spring. The roots may well grow from the bottom of the pots too you’ll know when they are too big for their pot.

Humidity

While they’ll do well in normal household humidity, philodendron xanadus like to be misted a few times a week.

Temperature

15-25°C (approx. 60-77°F) is the ideal temperature range for xanadus. So they’ll be fine in most homes. if the temperature drops a bit don’t worry, but make sure they don’t get freezing drafts in the winter.

How To Propagate Philodendron Xanadu

The easiest way is by division, as the xanadu will split at the base and grow more quite quickly. So you need to wait until the plant is big enough to divide. You can all you need to do is take the plant out of it’s soil, and then (being really careful to not damage the plants) separate them out. Then pot the individua plants up separately.

Philodendron Xanadu USDA Zone

They are ok outside in zones 10-11.

For more on philodendrons see our philodendron category with all our philodendron care guides.

Where To Buy a Philodendron Xanadu

Try one of these Rare Plant Shops or your local plant shop.

Other Names for Philodendron Xanadu

Philodendron winterbourn, thaumatophyllum xanadu, philodendron bipinnatifidum

Philodendron Xanadu FAQs and Common Problems

The can be susceptible to the normal plant pests, keep an eye out for them as they can attack the big leaves.

Philodendron Xanadu Vs Selloum

The selloum (a.k.a philodendron little hope) is much bigger, and has mat green leaves, where as the xanadu has glossy leaves.

Why Is My Philodendron Xanadu Turning Yellow?

Yellowing leaves are a sign of burn from sunlight, or they can be a sign of under or overwatering. Make sure your plant is watered well and not in direct sunlight. Do not let them sit in heavy wet soil, tip the excess water out from the bottom saucer after watering.

Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum Vs Xanadu

You can tell the difference as the thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum has more pointed ends to each split of it’s leaves.

Can Philodendron Xanadu Grow Outside?

They can grow outside well as long as the temperatures do not get down to freezing. Bring them in when it gets cold.

Does Philodendron Xanadu Flower?

They can flower, but it is very unlikely when grown indoors.

Is Philodendron Xanadu Poisonous To Cats And Dogs?

The xanadu is poisonous to cats and dogs if eaten as it contains calcium oxalate which can cause vomiting. You pet should be ok, but seek vets advice in case.

Additional Resources

Buy: we recommend a digital thermometer hygrometer (amazon affiliate link) to measure humidity.

Links:

More info on the RHS plant page.