Philodendron is a large genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family, consisting of about 900 species. Compared to other genera of the family Araceae, philodendrons have an extremely diverse array of growth methods. The habits of growth can be epiphytic, hemiepiphytic, or rarely terrestrially. Philodendrons originate in tropical USA, the West Indies and South America, and are popular for their foliage and dramatically lobed leaves. Many are climbers, and do well as indoor plants in brightly lit positions.

Philodendron selloum has been a mainstay in tropical landscapes and indoor plantings, for long years. Actually Philodendron selloum is a commonly used name for Philodendron bipinnatifidum. The plant is quite tropical looking, relatively easy to grow and large. In fact, it grows very large at maturity. For indoor decor and interiorscaping, a smaller plant with somewhat the same look would be ideal. Such a plant became available when Philodendron xanadu came into the market. Xanadu combines many of the good points of its relatives with some special qualities of its own. The spathe of Philodendron xanadu is dark violet-purple bordering on red and is different from the spathe of Philodendron bipinnatifidum which basically green with a white interior (as seen at the photo).

Xanadu is a member of a group of Philodendron plants known as the Meconostigma group. These plants are also known as the “Tree Philodendrons” because they develop a heavy stem that can be thought of as a trunk, unlike other vining Philodendron species.

Philodendron xanadu discovered in Western Australia in 1983 as a chance seedling.  It was subsequently patented as Philodendron “Winterbourn”, then renamed Xanadu by House Plants of Australia and released as their plant of the year in 1988. This plant, which was granted United States Plant Patent in 1989. Now that the patent has expired, plant is available for propagation to anyone who wishes to without legal restraint. Now it is known that, Xanadu is a separete species rather than a hybrid as previously believed. Philodendron xanadu is one of the exclusively cultured species in the labs as a tissue cultured (cloned) specimen. Every year more than two million plants are sold worldwide.

Philodendron xanadu is an evergreen low shrub with a compact, tidy growth habit and attractive lobed leaves. It rarely exceeds 90x90cm. Decorative small lobed leaves compact growth low maintenance and pest free, doesn’t produce aerial roots as some other represantative of the family. Xanadu likes full sun to semi shade, plenty of water in spring and summer, annual fertilising with slow release fertiliser to keep it green.

Use in Landscapes: Philodendron xanadu can be grown in the garden in tropical and subtropical climate areas and also in warm temperate coastal areas. In the colder parts of world it’s best grown as an indoor or patio plant under high light conditions planted in drifts for a massed display good pot specimen in semi shaded conditions great for tropical-look gardens but blends with many different plants great tidy plant around pools.