'Xanadu' philodendron guide
Thaumatophyllum xanadu, also called Philodendron xanadu, Philodendron 'Winterbourn', xanadu
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine. More helps big leaves.
- Temperature
- 16 to 27°C (60 to 80°F). Keep above 13°C (55°F).
- Soil
- Chunky houseplant mix with bark and perlite
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertilizer, monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing causes mouth pain and drooling.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 60 cm to 1.2 m (2 to 4 ft) tall and wide
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings with a node, rooted in water or soil
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes 'Xanadu' philodendron different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the philodendron care guide.
What it is
‘Xanadu’ grows as a dense, upright clump of glossy leaves with deep lobes. It looks like a small tree philodendron. Botanists moved it out of Philodendron in 2018. It is now Thaumatophyllum xanadu. Stores still sell it as Philodendron ‘Xanadu’.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Xanadu’ | Medium size, deep lobes, dense clump | Compact, with many leaves close together |
| Tree philodendron | Huge, deep-cut, ruffled | Grows far bigger, with a thick trunk |
| Monstera | Holes and slits, not lobes | Holes inside the leaf, and it climbs |
Care differences
‘Xanadu’ handles more light than most philodendrons. Bright indirect light keeps it compact and full. A little morning sun is fine. In low light, the leaf stems stretch and the clump opens up.
It does not climb and does not need a pole. Give it room to spread. It gets wide.
Grow it by division
‘Xanadu’ does not make vines for cuttings. Divide the clump in spring. Ease it out of the pot and cut it into pieces, each with several leaves and roots.
Pet safety
Like true philodendrons, it contains calcium oxalate crystals. It is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
Buying it
‘Xanadu’ is common at garden centers and big box stores. Look for a dense, full clump with deep lobes on the leaves. Long, floppy stems mean it grew in low light.