🌿 Philodendron Xandu - The Complete Guide to Growing and Care
📋 Quick summary - everything you need to know at a glance
Bright indirect light to shade
No direct sun!
When the soil dries out from above
Summer: 2-3 times a week | Winter: once a week
Home / Office / Shaded Garden
Ideal for the face!
easy
Suitable for beginners
⚠️ Toxic to pets!
Keep away from dogs and cats.
17-25°C
Not less than 13°C
🌱 Getting to know Philodendron Xandu
Naming and identification
- Hebrew name: Philodendron xanthode, Philo xanthode
- Scientific name: Thaumatophyllum xanadu (formerly Philodendron xanadu)
- Common names: Xanadu, Winterbourn
- Family: Araceae
Origin and climate
Philodendron xanthophyllum originates from the rainforests of Brazil. Although previously thought to have been developed in Australia as a hybrid, it has been discovered to be a natural species. The plant is adapted to tropical climates with high humidity and diffused light.
Why do people love Xando?
- 🌴 Tropical look: beautiful split leaves
- 🪴 Compact size: perfect for an apartment
- 💪 Durable and strong: forgives mistakes
- 🌬️ Air purifier: improves air quality in the home
- 🏢 Perfect for the office: tolerates different light conditions
- 💚 Green all year round: Plant a vegetable frequently
Special features
- Height: Up to a meter indoors
- Width: Up to 1.5 meters when mature
- Leaves: green, shiny, divided (up to 40 cm)
- Growth: 1-2 feet per year
🌤️ Growing conditions - the key to success
☀️ Light
Ideal light type: Bright indirect light to partial shade. Enjoys plenty of light but not direct sun!
Recommended location: Near a north or east window. In a south/west window - provide shading.
Slow and sparse growth, elongated stems that "breathe" towards the light, small leaves
Brown spots, leaf scorch, pale leaves and yellowing
💡 Tip: Hexando can also grow in artificial light - perfect for offices without windows!
💧 Irrigation
Guiding principle: Water when the top layer of soil dries out. Xandu prefers constant moisture but does not like "wet feet."
Frequency by season:
- 🌞 Summer: 2-3 times a week
- 🍂 Spring/Fall: Once or twice a week
- ❄️ Winter: Once a week to two weeks
How to check if watering is needed?
Stick your finger into the soil - if the top layer (2-3 cm) is dry, it's time to water. If it's still moist - wait.
Yellow leaves (starting from the bottom), root rot, limp leaves, bad smell from the soil
Wilted and withered leaves, brown and dry edges, dry and crumbling soil
💡 Tip: Use room temperature water, preferably filtered or rainwater. Water with a lot of chlorine can cause browning of the leaf edges.
🌡️ Temperature and humidity
Ideal range: 17-25°C (65-85°F)
Minimum: not lower than 13°C - the plant is sensitive to cold!
- Sensitivity to cold: High! Keep away from open windows in winter and cold air conditioning
- Heat sensitivity: Tolerates heat, but prefers not above 30°C
- Humidity: Prefers high humidity but will also do well in dry conditions
- Spray the leaves once or twice a week.
- Place pebbles with water on a tray.
- Group with other plants
- Wipe the leaves from dust with a damp cloth.
🪴 Substrate and drainage
Recommended substrate type: Aerated and well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.
Recipe for the perfect mixture:
- 40% quality planting soil
- 30% perlite (for drainage and aeration)
- 20% cocopeat or coconut fiber
- 10% compost or wood bark
Drainage: Critical to preventing root rot!
- ✅ A flower pot with a drainage hole in the bottom - a must!
- ✅ A layer of gravel or tuff at the bottom of the pot
- ❌ Do not leave standing water at the bottom
- ❌ Not heavy, clayey soil
🏺 Potting and Repotting
Recommended pot size:
- For a small-medium plant: 5-10 liter pot
- For a mature plant: 15-20 liters
- Always with a drainage hole!
When to move a flowerpot?
- Young plants: once a year (in spring)
- Mature plants: every 2-3 years
- When roots come out of the drainage hole
- When growth has stopped despite proper treatment
How to transfer correctly?
- Choose a pot that is only 5-10 cm larger.
- Prepare fresh, well-drained soil
- Remove the plant gently, inspect the roots
- Remove rotten roots if any.
- Plant in new soil, water well.
- Place in partial shade for a week to acclimatize
🧪 Fertilization
Xandu benefits from regular fertilization for healthy growth and shiny green leaves.
When to fertilize?
- 🌸 Spring-Summer: Once a month - main growing season
- 🍂 Autumn: Once every two months
- ❄️ Winter: Stop fertilizing or once every two months at a reduced dose.
Which fertilizer is suitable?
- Balanced fertilizer: 20-20-20 diluted to half the recommended amount
- Fertilizer for foliage plants: Richer in nitrogen for beautiful foliage growth
- Organic fertilizer: compost , seaweed
- Overfertilization: brown tips, "burned" roots, white salts on the soil
- Fertilizing on dry soil: Always water before fertilizing!
- Fertilizing in winter: The plant is at rest and does not need it
✂️ Pruning and shaping
Guiding principle: Xandu rarely requires decorative pruning - it grows neatly and naturally!
What should be pruned?
- Yellow or brown leaves: Cut at the base of the stem
- Dry or damaged leaves: Remove for aesthetics and pest prevention
- Old leaves: Natural yellowing of lower leaves - normal!
- "Floating" growth: if the stems have lengthened due to lack of light
How to prune correctly?
- Use sharp, sterilized scissors (wipe with alcohol)
- Cut as close to the base of the stem as possible.
- Don't rip - always cut cleanly.
🔄 Plant propagation
Xandu can be propagated in two main ways. The best time for propagation is in spring-summer.
🌱 Method 1: Root division (recommended!)
The easiest and most successful method for Xando:
- Remove the plant from the pot when transferring.
- This is a natural "lumps" of stems and roots
- Gently separate a clump with roots and stems.
- If the roots are tangled - use a sharp, sterilized knife.
- Plant each part in a separate pot with fresh soil.
- Water well and place in partial shade.
⏱️ Time to establish: 2-4 weeks
✂️ Method 2: Stem cutting (more challenging)
Possible but less recommended method - Xandu is susceptible to rot in cuttings:
- Choose a young, healthy stem 10-15 cm long.
- Cut with a sharp knife above the leaf.
- Leave 2-3 leaves at the top, remove lower leaves
- Possible: Dip in rooting hormone
- Place in clean water or moist soil
- Change water daily to prevent rot!
- When roots develop (2-3 weeks) - plant in soil
💡 Tip: Cinnamon powder on the cut helps prevent fungal rot!
🐛 Pests and diseases
Xandu is a relatively hardy plant, but like any houseplant, it can suffer from pests - especially in dry air.
🕷️ Spider Mites
Signs: Tiny yellow dots on leaves, thin spider webs, mottled leaves
Treatment:
- Turn up the humidity!
- Wash the leaves with a jet of water.
- Spray potassium soap or neem oil
🐜 Mealybugs
Signs: White "cotton" at the base of the leaves and at the nodes, sticky leaves
Treatment:
- Remove manually with an alcohol swab.
- Spray neem oil or potassium soap
- Check roots - they could be there too
🦗 Aphids
Signs: Small green/black insects on young leaves, leaves folded and sticky
Treatment:
- A strong jet of water to remove them
- Potassium soap or neem
- Isolate the plant!
🍂 Root rot
Signs: yellow leaves falling, black, soft roots, bad smell
Treatment:
- Remove from the soil, remove rotten roots
- Spray the roots with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Plant in new, dry soil.
- Reduce watering!
🔴 Bacterial leaf spots
Signs: brown spots with a yellow halo, wet spots
Treatment:
- Remove infected leaves.
- Stop spraying on the leaves.
- Improve ventilation around the plant
🔵 Scale
Signs: Small brown bumps on stems and leaves
Treatment:
- Scrape by hand or with alcohol.
- Horticultural oil
- Repeat treatment every week
- Check new plants before bringing them home.
- Maintain moisture around the plant
- Clean leaves regularly
- Don't overwater.
- Ensure good ventilation.
🔧 Troubleshooting common problems
| problem | Possible cause | solution |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering / Poor drainage / Lack of light | Check drainage, reduce watering, move to a brighter location |
| Brown edges | Low humidity / irregular watering / salts in the water | Increase humidity, water with filtered water, mulch less |
| Wilted leaves | Lack of water / excess water / cold | Check soil moisture, ensure appropriate temperature |
| Brown spots | Direct sun / bacterial disease / salts | Keep out of direct sunlight, remove infected leaves. |
| Slow growth | Lack of light / lack of fertilization / pot too small | Move to a brighter place, water, consider moving |
| Long, thin stems | Significant lack of light | Move to a brighter location, prune long stems |
| Pale leaves | Excess direct light / lack of nitrogen | Keep out of direct sun, fertilize with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. |
| Aerial roots | A natural phenomenon! | This is normal for Xandu - you can leave it or cover it with soil. |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but growth will be slower and the leaves less dense. It is recommended to provide at least bright indirect light for good results.
Young plants - once a year. Mature plants - every 2-3 years or when roots emerge from the drainage hole. No need to repot!
This is normal! Xandu has natural aerial roots. You can leave them or cover them with additional soil.
Yes, but rare in indoor conditions. The flower resembles a calyx - a yellowish-white spike. The blooms are not the highlight of the plant - the leaves are the star!
Yes! In warm regions (central and southern) it can be grown outdoors in a shaded garden. It is important to protect from frost in winter and direct sunlight in summer.
A relatively fast plant - 30-60 cm per year in good conditions. Can reach a width of 1.5 meters when mature!
The Xandu is more compact and non-climbing, with smaller, more divided leaves. The Monstera is climbing, larger, and has holes in the leaves.
Yes! Like most philodendrons, the Xandu is considered an air-purifying plant - filtering toxins and improving the air quality in the space.
Usually: lack of water, air that is too dry, or temperature stress. Check watering and humidity, and keep away from air conditioners.
🌟 Professional secrets and tips
✨ The shiny leaves trick
Wipe the leaves once a week with a damp cloth. For extra shine - add a drop of coconut oil to the cloth. This also protects against pests!
🔄 Weekly round
Rotate the pot a quarter turn every week so that the plant grows evenly and does not "lean" toward the light source.
🚿 Monthly shower
Once a month, take your Xandu to the shower and wash the leaves with a gentle jet. This removes dust, increases humidity, and deters pests!
🥚 Homemade fertilizer
Water you boiled eggs in (after they have cooled) contains calcium - great for watering your Xandu occasionally!
📚 Interesting facts
- The name "Xando" comes from a famous poem about an imaginary paradise.
- Until 2018 the plant was classified as a philodendron, today it is Thaumatophyllum
- Xandu was Australia's "Plant of the Year" in 1988.
- Can live for decades with proper care!
🇮🇱 Adaptation to the Israeli climate
☀️ Israeli summer
- Watering: 2-3 times a week
- Location: Keep out of direct sun!
- Humidity: Spray water on the leaves
- Air conditioner: Do not place in direct current
- Outside: only full shade!
❄️ Israeli winter
- Watering: Once a week or two
- Cold: Bring it indoors below 13°C
- Heating: Keep away from radiators
- Fertilization: Stop or very little
- Light: Move to the brightest place
📍 Recommended locations by region
- Center and Coast: Perfect for growing - indoors or in a shaded garden all year round
- North: indoors in winter, in a shady garden in summer
- South and the Arava: Only at home with air conditioning - too hot outside
- Jerusalem and the Mountains: Home Alone - Nights Too Cold
🛒 Purchase and recommended products
How to choose a healthy plant?
- ✅ Green and shiny leaves, without spots or yellowing
- ✅ Full and dense plant, not thin or "splayed"
- ✅ No signs of pests (check the underside of the leaves!)
- ✅ Soil that is not soaked or completely dry
- ✅ White/light roots if visible from the drainage hole
What to check when the plant arrives?
- Check for damage from transportation.
- Check for pests - isolate for a week before placing near other plants
- Check the soil moisture and water if necessary.
- Don't move a potted plant right away - let it acclimate for a week or two.
🛍️ Recommended products from Deco Garden
Drained flowerpot
A quality flower pot with drainage holes
Soil for houseplants
Aerated and drained mixture
Soil moisture meter
Knowing when to water
Fertilizer for leafy plants
For healthy and shiny growth
Pruning shears
For clean and precise cutting
Neem oil
For pest treatment and prevention
📊 Summary table - all information in one place
| category | Details |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Light | Bright indirect light to partial shade. No direct sun! |
| 💧 Irrigation | When the top layer dries. Summer: 2-3 times a week, Winter: once a week |
| 🌡️ Temperature | 17-25°C. Minimum: 13°C |
| 💨 Humidity | Prefers high humidity, but also does well in low humidity. |
| 🪴 Substrate | Well ventilated and drained. Perlite + cocopeat + compost |
| 🧪 Fertilization | Once a month in spring-summer, dilute balanced fertilizer |
| 🔄 Transfer | Young: Annual. Adults: Every 2-3 years |
| 🌱 Multiplication | Root division (recommended) or stem cutting |
| 🐾 Toxicity | ⚠️ Toxic to dogs, cats and humans! |
| 📏 Size | Up to 1 meter high, up to 1.5 meters wide |
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The guide was written by the Deco Garden team of experts.