Philodendron xanadu
FAMILY NAME Araceae
CHARACTERISTICS Deeply lobed leaves, with 15 to 20 lobes, up to 40cm (16in) long
HABITAT Tropical and sub-tropical areas
DISTRIBUTION Tropical USA, the West Indies and South America
FLOWERS AND FRUIT Flowers have dark-red spathes
The Xanadu plant grows in dense clumps that spread up to 2 metres (6½ feet) in width, making it ideal for landscaping in warm climates. This hardy shrub has serrated leaves with veins that turn a deep red shade as it matures. Discovered in Western Australia as a seedling and named Philodendron ‘Winterbourn’, but eventually it was re-named by House Plants of Australia and called ‘Xanadu’. Easy to grow, the Xanadu has become a popular exotic foliage plant that thrives inside and out.