Xanadu philodendron (Philodendron Xanadu) is a widely used and very popular South Florida plant that will bring unique green foliage to a tropical landscape. The small philodendron species forms a natural mounded shape, an aspect that lends the plant to a low maintenance landscape. It looks great in mass planting, as a singular specimen or for highlighting other more colorful tropical species.

The plant grows about 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It will grow in full sun to full shade, and best of all, rabbits seem to avoid this plant on Sanibel. The Xanadu philodendron thrives in well-drained soil and does best with organic material added to the space where planted.

The history of the plant arose in 1983 in a western Australian nursery as a chance seedling from a batch of imported seeds. The plant was first thought to be of Australian origin, until it was recently identified as an undescribed species from Brazil. The plant was first patented as Philodendron “Winterbourn,” then renamed “Xanadu” by House Plants of Australia and released as its plant of the year in 1988. Now more than two million plants are sold worldwide year-round, making it one of the most used tropical landscape plants on the market.

Because the Xanadu philodendron is so versatile, it makes a nice addition to any tropical landscape.

In The Garden is a joint effort by all at the local garden center, at 3889 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. For more information, contact 239-395-5859 or visit www.facebook.com/rswalshinthegarden.