Brighter Blooms Xanadu Philodendron (Winterbourn) Plant

An Exotic Spin on the Classic Philodendron

Xanadu Philodendron (Philodendron x ‘Winterbourn’ XANADU™) is not your grandmother’s philodendron! You know the one ‘– that familiar long-stemmed plant with heart-shaped leaves, which was a mainstay houseplant back in the day. Trailing philodendrons are still reliable houseplants; but unlike those popular plants, Xanadu is an exciting departure from the norm that ramps up the look of philodendron plants to a new level!

Also Known As Winterbourn
Xanadu Philodendron was originally known as the Winterbourn Philodendron, so-named for Veronica and Barry Winterbourn who were granted the plant patent in 1989. The scientific name for philodendron means “loving” (philos) and “tree” (dendron) because the vining growth habit of most philodendrons allows them to climb trees. Even though Xanadu Philodendron is a non-vining, non-climbing type, it’s still related to the philodendrons that are!

Wildly Dramatic Foliage
Xanadu Philodendron is not a climbing or clinging vine that can be trained to a trellis or wooden post in a container arrangement. And it’s not a hanging-basket philodendron with trailing stems that seem to go on forever. Adding a twist to other types of philodendrons, Xanadu has a non-vining growth habit ‘– it grows into a thick clump of foliage. On sheer size alone, Xanadu’s leaves are impressive. Each leaf can grow as large as 18 inches long and 12 inches wide. But it’s the texture of these leaves that really stands out from the crowd. The leaves are deeply lobed, sometimes with as many as 20 lobes per leaf!

Tropical Flair
As you’d imagine by looking at Xanadu Philodendron, it’s a tropical plant. Even though its native habitat includes the rainforests of Central and South America, this plant is surprisingly adapted to living in your home! But don’t worry ?… you won’t have to turn your home into a sweltering jungle to make this plant happy. It does flourish in a high-humidity environment, which can cause it to produce even larger leaves, but it’s perfectly content with the average humidity levels inside most homes. And because Xanadu Philodendron likes shady locations, it will prosper in the lower light levels found indoors.

Captivating in Containers
You may have seen Xanadu Philodendron planted in large containers without knowing its name. It’s commonly grown in large containers in malls, office lobbies, or hotel atriums. There’s even a large indoor planting of Xanadu Philodendrom at the Los Angeles airport. These different indoor growing environments attest to this plant’s adaptability and durability, which means you’ll have no trouble growing it in your home!

Fast Growth
Some types of houseplants grow quite slowly, but you won’t have to wait for several years to see growth on your Xanadu Philodendron. With good care, it is a fast-growing plant that keeps a compact form, and its dense growth quickly fills in bare spaces. As it matures, it forms a tidy clump, so choose a container that’s larger than your plant, and watch it go!

Pest Resistance
For any plant grown indoors, pest resistance is a definite plus. You don’t want to see bugs crawling on your houseplants, and you certainly don’t want to have to spray chemical pesticides indoors where you live. Fortunately, Xanadu Philodendron is rarely bothered by insect pests, which adds to its appeal as a low-maintenance plant. If you grow your potted plants outdoors during warm weather, give them a thorough check before you move them back inside just to make sure creepy-crawlies aren’t unwelcome hitchhikers!

Houseplant Size
Many plants are taller than they are wide, but Xanadu Philodendron is the opposite. It typically grows twice as wide as it is tall. In containers, it grows up to 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. In the landscape, it can grow more than double that size. This makes it a superb filler plant no matter where you grow it. Xanadu Philodendron provides a quick-growing solution for blank wall spaces or bare corners. And don’t forget about your office environment. Working in a space that’s filled with plants has research-backed data to support the therapeutic benefit and increased productivity you’ll enjoy!

A Clean-Air Benefit
Other research has undeniably proved that houseplants have the ability to remove or reduce airborne toxins. You may think that the air inside your home is cleaner than the air outside your front door, but quite the opposite is true. Indoor air quality is typically worse than the air outside! Your home and office are sealed environments, so toxins become trapped. These toxins are released into the air from numerous common sources, including paint and carpeting. And even if you have air filters in your home or office, most of those only trap particulate matter, such as dust. They are not effective in removing toxic fumes. But cleaner air is as close as the next addition to your houseplant collection. And what better plant to choose than one that is beautiful, fast-growing, and low-maintenance? Xanadu Philodendron is your next step toward a cleaner home or office environment!

Patio, Poolside, and Porch Planters
If you have a shady patio, terrace, or deck, Xanadu Philodendron makes a dramatic statement in planters. And with its tropical look, it also enhances any shady poolside containers. Your shady porch is another perfect spot for Xanadu Philodendron. Place its pot directly on the porch or elevate it by placing it on a pedestal. You’ll create a warm, inviting welcome to your guests by planting two Xanadu Philodendrons ‘– one on either side of your front door. In warm outdoor conditions, Xanadu Philodendron will likely grow much faster than it will inside your home. So think of investing in large pots, urns, or barrel planters to really show off this plant!

It Ages Well
You know how some plants start off beautifully when they’re young, but as they age, they become a little “tired” looking or sparse? Xanadu Philodendron becomes more beautiful as it matures! The clump thickens, the leaves grow larger, and the overall appearance continues to improve as it ages. Simply keep it out of direct sun, grow it in a brightly lit location, keep it watered, and give it a little fertilizer to keep it in optimal health!

In the Landscape
Xanadu Philodendron is a frost-tender plant that won’t survive the winters outdoors except in the warm climates across U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and 11. But if you live within this perennial range, you can grow it in your landscape year-round. It’s a spectacular evergreen foundation plant that softens the corners of your home, provides lush foliage for a shade garden, lines a woodland path, or enhances a tropical garden. Space individual plants 3 to 5 feet apart so that when they are mature, they’ll form a stunning massed planting.

A Shady Character
If you grow your Xanadu Philodendron in too much direct sun, the foliage can turn the leaves yellow or even burn them. In its native environment, this plant grows in low-light levels underneath trees. It does respond favorably to bright light, indirect or filtered sunlight, and artificial lighting, such as incandescent or fluorescent lights, which are found in homes and offices.

Loves Rich Soil
The rainforest floor, where Xanadu Philodendron naturally grows, has fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. This plant grows best in this type of soil, which you can provide by using a potting mix that also contains organic matter, such as peat moss and compost. Even if your garden soil is rich, it’ll likely become more compacted in a container than Xanadu Philodendron would like. It’s better to use a commercially packaged houseplant potting mix, which is formulated to stay loose and keep the roots healthier.

Watering Needs
Xanadu Philodendron enjoys more water for healthy growth than many houseplants; in fact, a key to its lush growth is keeping the soil evenly moist. But “moist” doesn’t mean “soggy,” so make sure all the excess water drains. Don’t let the soil become too dry between waterings, and your plant will thank you!

Fertilizer Requirement
Xanadu Philodendron will definitely benefit from fertilization, which will keep its foliage dark green. Use a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer that’s formulated for foliage plants, and fertilize your plant once a month or according to the label directions. You can withhold fertilizer during the winter months.
Tip: It’s actually better to fertilize every two weeks at half strength instead of once monthly at full strength.

Toxicity
Philodendron plants contain oxalates, which can cause skin irritation for people with sensitive skin if they crush the leaves or stems. For example, if you do have sensitive skin, you may want to wear gloves before pinching any stems to keep your plant tidy. And it’s best to keep an eye out for curious children and pets who may want to taste the pretty leaves. Mild toxicity reactions include drooling, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue.