Philodendron Xanadu

Xanadu / Philodendron 'Winterbourn'

Botanical Name: Philodendron xanadu
Family: Araceae
Origin: Brazil
Plant Type: Evergreen clumping perennial (shrub-like)

Overview

A lush, shade-loving foliage plant that thrives in Adelaide and South Australian courtyards and under trees. ‘Xanadu’ forms tidy mounds of deeply lobed, glossy leaves that look tropical yet cope well with dry shade once established. Perfect for softening hard edges, filling difficult, low-light spots and bringing year-round green structure with minimal fuss.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.8–1.2 m H × 1.0–1.8 m W (clumping, naturally compact)
• Growth Rate: 15-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy deep-green, deeply lobed leaves; new growth brighter lime-green; in cool snaps or strong sun can show soft bronze/olive tints
• Flowers: Rare greenish-white spathe/spadix in warm, humid conditions; not showy, not fragrant
  
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen architectural foliage all year; fresh flushes of new leaves spring–autumn keep the clump looking full and polished
• Wildlife Value: Primarily a foliage plant; not significant for pollinators
• Tolerance: Heat-Tolerant (in shade); Wind-Tolerant in sheltered sites; Clay-Tolerant if soil is improved and well-drained. Light frost sensitive (protect on cold Adelaide hills nights). Not salt-spray hardy and not drought-hardy—prefers occasional deep soaks
• Planting Density: Mass plant: 2–3 per m² (40–60 cm apart). Edges/drifts: 1 per 0.6–1.0 m
• Pet Friendly: Toxic if chewed/ingested (calcium oxalate crystals); keep away from pets and children

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Bright shade to part shade (morning sun OK; avoid harsh afternoon sun)
• Soil: Rich, well-drained loam or improved clay with organic matter
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 7–10 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Remove yellow/tatty leaves; mulch in spring; feed with slow-release, foliage fertiliser in early spring and mid-summer
• Lifespan: 10-20+ years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate & Mediterranean SA; best in frost-sheltered Adelaide microclimates and coastal courtyards
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (tolerates Neutral–mildly Alkaline if well-drained)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Shade solution under eaves or open trees—pair with lomandra, aspidistra and clivia
• Tropical-look mass planting along paths and courtyards in Adelaide for year-round texture
• Large feature pots in bright shade to green up patios and entries

Why You Will Love It

‘Xanadu’ gives you instant, tropical foliage with almost no maintenance, exactly what many South Australian gardens need in shaded, dry spots. It stays compact, looks lush all year and elevates paths, patios and under-storey plantings with sculptural leaves that always read “designed.”