Introduction

This moderately large-leaved, easily grown philodendron makes a dramatic, tropical statement wherever it is used in the landscape (Figure 1). The deeply divided, usually drooping, dark grey-green leaves grow up to 18 inches long and 8 to 12 inches wide, appearing on long, smooth petioles. Each leaf is divided into 15 to 20 lobes. It can be grown outside only in south Florida and in the warmest parts of central Florida. The flower is not showy.

General Information

Scientific name: Philodendron x 'Xanadu'

Pronunciation: fill-loe-DEN-drun

Common name(s): 'Xanadu' philodendron

Family: Araceae

Plant type: perennial; shrub

USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Figure 2)

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round

Origin: not native to North America

Uses: foundation; border; mass planting; suitable for growing indoors

Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

Description

Height: 2 to 4 feet

Spread: 4 to 6 feet

Plant habit: round

Plant density: open

Growth rate: fast

Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: lobed

Leaf shape: elliptic (oval)

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen

Leaf blade length: 12 to 18 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no fall color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: green

Flower characteristic: flowers periodically throughout the year

Fruit

Fruit shape: no fruit

Fruit length: no fruit

Fruit cover: no fruit

Fruit color: no fruit

Fruit characteristic: no fruit

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not particularly showy; usually with one stem/trunk

Current year stem/twig color: green

Current year stem/twig thickness: very thick

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in the shade

Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay

Drought tolerance: moderate

Soil salt tolerances: poor

Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches

Other

Roots: usually not a problem

Winter interest: no special winter interest

Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

When given enough room to spread, 'Xanadu' makes a handsome foundation or specimen planting, and can also be used in large containers, where it looks especially attractive at poolside. It has similarities in texture and form to selloum without its large size. Space 4 or 6 feet apart in a landscape to form a mass planting of coarse textured foliage. Since leaves remain close to the ground, it makes a nice, tall ground cover for any shaded, damp location.

'Xanadu' is well adapted to the shade of tall trees. It needs fairly rich, moisture-retentive soil to look its best. Most philodendrons adapt to alkaline soil fairly well and are resistant to drought.

Pests and Diseases

Infrequent pests include mites and scale.