Background: Photo-selective shade nets are important in protected cultivation for improving growth, physiological efficiency and foliage quality in ornamental foliage plants. Thaumatophyllum xanadu, a tropical ornamental foliage species, responds markedly to spectral environment and shading intensity, but information on the combined influence of coloured shade nets under tropical protected conditions remains limited. 
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Methods: The study was conducted during 2025-2026 at SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and three replications, comprising open condition, green, black and red shade nets at 50% and 75% shading levels. Morphological, physiological, biochemical and microclimatic parameters were recorded and analysed using analysis of variance. 
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Result: The superior vegetative performance observed under the 50% red shade indicates that moderate shading combined with red-light enrichment creates a favourable microenvironment for carbon assimilation and canopy development. The 75% black photo-selective shade net (T5) recorded the highest plant height (33.45 cm) and chlorophyll content (2.23 mg g-1&nbsp;FW). Open-grown plants (T1) recorded the highest transpiration rate (3.25 mg g-1&nbsp;FW), indicating greater moisture stress. 
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Photo-selective Shade Nets alters the Growth Dynamics and Physiology of Thaumatophyllum xanadu