Xanthophyllum tardicrescens is a tree in the family Polygalaceae. The specific epithet ' is from the Latin meaning 'slowly growing', referring to the twigs.
Xanthophyllum tardicrescens grows up to tall with a trunk diameter of up to . The flowers are white, drying yellowish orange. The round fruits are yellowish green.
Xanthophyllum tardicrescens is endemic to Borneo. Its habitat is mixed dipterocarp forest.