Philodendron Xanadu Plant – Thaumatophyllum xanadu (Live Tropical Starter Plant)

The Philodendron Xanadu (Thaumatophyllum xanadu, formerly Philodendron xanadu) is a lush, easy-care tropical that brings instant jungle style indoors or out. It forms large, neat clumps of glossy green, deeply lobed leaves — each one 12 to 18 inches long — in a dense, mounding, cushion-like shape. Unlike many climbing philodendrons, the Philodendron Xanadu stays compact and self-supporting, usually growing about 2 to 3 feet tall, which is exactly why it has become one of the most popular philodendrons in Florida and a favorite houseplant everywhere else.

Why Grow a Philodendron Xanadu?

• Bold tropical foliage – glossy, deeply lobed green leaves up to 12–18 inches long create a full, sculptural, tropical look.
• Neat clumping habit – forms tidy, self-supporting mounds without climbing or needing stakes, so it won’t sprawl out of bounds.
• Indoor or outdoor – thrives as a houseplant in any climate and as a landscape plant in warm zones 9–11.
• Low-maintenance & forgiving – moderately drought-tolerant once established, beginner-friendly, and rarely needs pruning.
• Air-purifying & deer-resistant – helps freshen indoor air, and deer tend to leave it alone outdoors.

Looking for more greenery? Browse our Indoor Plants and Outdoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

• Botanical name: Thaumatophyllum xanadu (formerly Philodendron xanadu; also sold as ‘Winterbourn’)
• Plant type: Evergreen, clumping tropical foliage perennial (non-climbing)
• Plant family: Araceae (the arum family)
• Origin: Native to Brazil and Paraguay (South America)
• Mature size: about 2–4 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide, forming a dense mound
• Foliage: Glossy green, deeply lobed leaves 12–18 inches long
• Cold Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (grown as a houseplant in cooler regions)

Philodendron Xanadu Care & Growing Guide

The Philodendron Xanadu is one of the easiest tropicals to grow. Follow these simple guidelines:

• Sunlight: Partial shade to bright, indirect light. Outdoors it takes sun to light shade in mild conditions, but harsh direct sun can scorch the leaves; indoors, give it bright indirect light.
• Water: Once planted, keep the ground moist for two weeks, then water weekly (take the week off if it rains about a half inch). Let the plant dry out a little between waterings — too much water can kill any philodendron. It’s moderately drought-tolerant once established.
• Soil: Well-drained soil. Planting with a mix of topsoil or organic peat moss and composted cow manure gives it a strong start.
• Cold Hardiness Zone: 9–11. In cooler areas, grow it in a container and bring it indoors before frost.
• Feeding & pruning: Don’t fertilize for the first year, then feed about three times a year (spring, summer, and fall) with a quality slow-release granular fertilizer such as Osmocote. You’ll rarely need to trim it — its clumping habit forms an attractive cushion shape on its own.

Good to know: like all philodendrons, Xanadu is toxic to people, cats, and dogs if ingested (it contains calcium oxalate), and the sap can irritate skin. Keep it away from pets and small children, and consider wearing gloves when handling it.

Ways to Use Philodendron Xanadu

• Statement houseplant for living rooms, offices, and bright corners
• Patio and container plant for a tropical feel
• Mass plantings and groundcover in warm-climate landscapes
• Borders, foundations, and shady garden beds
• Tropical and poolside garden designs

It pairs well with other lush, warm-climate plants. Gardeners often combine it with the tropical White Jade Pineapple or the upright evergreen Podocarpus Macrophyllus for layered texture.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Philodendron Xanadu starter plants grown and shipped by Carlos Plant Farm. Plants are less than 12 inches tall when we ship them. The photos in this listing depict mature plants of the correct species so you can see how they will look as they grow. Choose your preferred plant bundle size using the options above.

Due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees in order to comply with those laws if necessary.

Terms of the Sale

Please read the following terms of the sale completely. The customer agrees to all of the following when purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm:

• All sales are final. All orders are insured against damage or loss.
• The customer assumes all risk of loss or damage once USPS takes possession. If the order is damaged in any way during shipping, the customer agrees to file an insurance claim. Carlo’s Plant Farm agrees to assist the customer in filling out the form.
• Once your order is shipped, we offer no cancellation refund at all.
• We reserve the right to delay shipping due to extreme heat or cold.
• If you are unhappy with your order for any reason, you agree to contact us as soon as possible. The customer agrees not to publish a negative review before contacting us. If you post a negative review before contacting us, we will ask you to take down the review and remind you of this terms of sale agreement.

In purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm, the customer acknowledges, understands, and agrees with all the above terms of the sale.