Why are my leaf tips turning brown?

This is often caused by low humidity or inconsistent watering.

Does it need direct sunlight?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its deep green color.

Plant guide

Xanadu Philodendron.

Thaumatophyllum xanadu

Pronounced thaw-ma-toh-FIL-um za-NA-doo

Cut-Leaf Philodendron — Photo by geosesarma (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This lush, tropical plant is a fantastic choice if you want to add a jungle vibe to your home. It grows in a compact, mounded shape rather than climbing like other philodendrons. You'll love how its deeply lobed, glossy leaves create a bold statement in any room.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright indirect light is best, though it can handle some lower light conditions.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Rarely blooms in cultivation, but may produce small spathes in late spring.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water. Wipe the leaves down occasionally to keep them dust free and healthy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any yellow or damaged leaves to keep the plant looking tidy.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once the roots begin to crowd the container.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 plus years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Growth has slowed significantly during the growing season.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause burning and swelling of the mouth and throat if chewed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the leaves are highly irritating if chewed or handled roughly.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: None known.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe irritation.

How to identify it

Deeply lobed dark green leaves
Compact mounded growth habit
Glossy leaf texture
Sturdy upright stems

Height: 0.6 to 1m
Spread: 0.9 to 1.5m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: maroon, green, 5 to 10cm

Problems to watch for

Spider mites · Tiny pests that thrive in dry air and cause stippling on leaves.
Root rot · Occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors before temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Reduce watering during the winter months as growth slows down.
In containers: It thrives in containers and prefers a pot that is just slightly larger than its root ball.

Division

1. Carefully remove the plant from its pot.
2. Gently tease apart the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Replant each section into fresh, well-draining potting mix.

Group plants with similar water needs together to maintain a consistent microclimate.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar light and humidity requirements.
Bird of Paradise · It provides a nice height contrast in tropical arrangements.

Similar species

Philodendron bipinnatifidum · It is a much larger relative with similar leaf structure.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Thaumatophyllum
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Brazil
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It grows as an understory plant in tropical forests, where it relies on filtered light and high humidity.

Uses: indoor foliage plant, tropical landscaping, container specimen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaf tips turning brown?: This is often caused by low humidity or inconsistent watering.
Does it need direct sunlight?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its deep green color.

Where the name comes from

The name Xanadu was a marketing name given to the plant when it was first introduced to the nursery trade, while Thaumatophyllum refers to its wonderous leaf shape.

Good to know

It is a self-heading plant, meaning it does not need a trellis to climb.
The deeply lobed leaves are a signature feature that gives it a lush, tropical look.
It is incredibly popular for its compact size compared to other members of its family.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your xanadu philodendron growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.