Kangaroo Paw Plant | Popular Types and Growing Guide

What is a Kangaroo Paw Plant?

They are easily identifiable, with long, slender arching leaves (similar to daylilies) and producing fans of tubular flowers on multiple stalks. It is this fan of flowers that gives it the look of an animal paw, and is where the name Kangaroo Paws originates.

Kangaroo Paw Plant’s Natural Habitat

Kangaroo paw plants are native to south-western Australia, thriving everywhere from Mount Barker right up to the Murchison River.

While they are one of our favourite native plants they are also grown as houseplants in the Northern Hemisphere and many are half-hardy as outdoor plants in cooler climates.

Kangaroo paw plants grow naturally in free draining but moist soil, and are happiest with a slight breeze, so exposed sunny positions are ideal, mimicking their natural environment growing as solitary evergreen perennial plants with tough leaves, and flower stems that naturally die back each year.

Best Kangaroo Paw Plant Varieties

When choosing a Kangaroo Paw plant, it’s important to consider the size of the variety and the colour, if you want the plant to fit into your garden well.

Tall varieties tend to have a longer lifespan than more compact varieties, which generally last about 3 seasons.

Some of the most successful varieties of Kangaroo Paw include:

Red & Green Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii)

Bright flowers of red and green, this is a bold flower that is ideal for mass planting. It’s also the floral emblem of Western Australia. Flowering from late winter through summer, it’s flower stems reach about 1m in height with a width of about 50cm.

The Anigozanthos manglesii is happiest in a position that receives full sun. When in good conditions this variety really thrives and will grow to have flowering stems up to 1 metre in height.

This plant will usually last for a few flowering seasons, normally up to 3 or 4, but is not a bad idea to replace after the 2^nd flowering season.

The bold red and green coloured flower really helps it stand out when mixed with other varieties but can also look absolutely fantastic if many of the same variety are planted together.

I once saw a great example of this just outside Kings Park in Western Australia. A whole batch, no less than 100 plants I would say, were planted close together on an island in the road and really made quite an impression on passing motorists.

A tip with any Kangaroo Paw is to remove the stems after flowering as this promotes new growth and speeds up the next batch of flowers.

Kangaroo Paw Ruby Velvet (Anigozanthos ‘Ruby Velvet’)

With abundant deep red flowers from August to May, this is a smaller, more compact variety that grows to about 40cm high and 30cm wide. It grows well in pots as well as in flowerbeds, is frost and drought tolerant, and generally lives 3 years or more.

Kangaroo Paw Orange Gem (Anigozanthos ‘Orange Gem’)

With orange-red flowers through spring and summer, this is a smaller variety that grows to a maximum height of 50cm and width of 50cm, making it a great border plant.

The Anigozanthos flavidus actually comes in a few different sub-species but the best sub-species boats beautiful orangey red flowers, so that is the variety that I am recommending.

This variety is generally smaller than manglesii (red and green), normally growing no higher than 50cm so if you are planting it together with that variety it is best to be placed on the outside.

This variety makes for an absolutely fantastic border plant as well, especially along the side of a path from your front gate to your front door. Attracts birds, in particular the honey eater. I have grown this variety and have always been very happy with the results. Install a bird bath nearby, as the birds will rest on the kangaroo paws before having a drink.

The fact that is also has a slightly different flowering season to the manglesii means if planted together (perhaps with some other varieties as well) you are increasing the chances of having at least a few of your Kangaroo Paws flowering at any given time of the year!

Kangaroo Paw Bush Pearl (Anigozanthos ‘Bush Pearl’)

This is a vibrant pink variety that is ideal for container planting although it grows well in mass-planted flowerbeds too. It flowers year-round and grows to about 60cm high and 50cm wide. It tolerates light frost and drought, and produces beautiful cut flowers.

Kangaroo Paw Green Machine (Anigozanthos ‘Green Machine’)

A more unusual variety, the Green machine has vibrant green flowers through spring and summer with stems up to 1m and a spread of up to 1m. It works best when planted together with another colour Kangaroo Paw plant to create a strong contrast.

This variety is another of the larger in the Anigozanthos genus, with flowering stems up to 1m high. Obviously the main difference between this species and the others is it has green flowers as well as foliage.

However what is great about this variety is the green flower is a much lighter green colour than the stems. The best use I have seen for this variety is when placed between two other varieties.

For example I once saw a patch of Red and Green Kangaroo paws clumped together, surrounded by the viridis Kangaroo paws and then another, smaller variety with yellow flowers.

The light green flowers of the viridis really helped to create an amazing visual contrast between the Red & Green and Yellow flowering varieties.

Having said this I would say the viridis doesn’t look as good by itself, so it is best when planted amongst other varieties.

Kangaroo Paw Amber Velvet (Anigozanthos ‘Amber Velvet’)

This variety has fiery red-orange flowers that reach an impressive 1 metre in height. The plant itself grows about 50cm high and 40cm wide and creates a stunning focal point for any garden.

Kangaroo Paw Yellow Gem (Anigozanthos ‘Yellow Gem’)

With deep yellow flowers that occur prolifically through the spring and summer, this is a great variety for smaller gardens, rockeries and container planting.

It grows to about 80cm high and 50 cm wide, attracting birds and butterflies to your garden. This variety is “a hybrid kangaroo paw bred by Mr S Haynes and released in the early 1970’s”.

I myself have not grown this variety so am recommending it based on the picture alone! From its description it certainly sounds like one a very tall growing variety, with flowering stems as large as 1.8m tall!

This is very tall for a Kangaroo Paw! Like most Kangaroo Paws it will grow best in a full sun position.

Kangaroo Paw Landscape Lilac (Anigozanthos ‘Landscape Lilac’)

This is a very tough and hardy variety with pale purple flowers through spring and summer. A very tall plant and fast-grower that has a longer lifespan, it can reach heights of 2m and a width of 1 metre.

Frost and drought tolerant, this is a great cut flower that the bees and birds love.

How to Grow a Kangaroo Paw Plant

Because they are native to Australia, Kangaroo Paw care is pretty simple if you get the basics right.

Sunlight Preference

Although most varieties can tolerate semi-shade conditions, these plants love full sun and will thrive in a spot where they get 6 hours per day.

They can easily handle hot afternoon sun too. If they don’t get enough sun, they will produce few flowers and the plant may fall over.

Watering Schedule

These are fairly drought-tolerant plants but they do need some watering, especially in the first 3-4 months after planting. They should never ever sit in water or waterlogged/soggy soil, however, as this can quickly result in root rot.

Rather water sparingly about once a week or when the first few centimetres of soil are dry.

Best Soil for Kangaroo Paw 

These plants like sandy, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH, but can tolerate almost any garden soil as long as it is loose and drains easily.

You can improve your soil before planting your kangaroo plants by adding lots of mulch and organic matter.

Temperature 

Kangaroo Paws are happy in all Australian climates and all seasons, although a strong frost may damage or kill them. They like dry conditions but do well in more humid environments as well.

Kangaroo Paw Fertiliser

Because it is a native plant, it requires little or no fertiliser, although a dose of a slow release low phosphorus fertiliser like a 13-2-13, a 14-0-14 or a native blend fertiliser in the spring is recommended.

The best way to feed these plants is to prepare your soil well before planting.

How to Propagate Kangaroo Paw Plant

Kangaroo plants can be propagated from seed or by dividing up an established clump of plants. Here’s what to do.

Growing Kangaroo Plants from Seed

Growing kangaroo paw plants from seed is simple. As long as you try to mimic their natural habitat you can’t go wrong. Follow our instructions for sowing kangaroo paw plants below:

1. Fill a seed tray with loose, free-draining compost – ideally seed compost.
2. Water the compost before planting your seed to improve contact
3. Sow seeds thinly (about 2-3cm apart)
4. Do not cover, and kangaroo paw seeds need light to germinate.
5. Place it on a sunny windowsill anytime from spring to summer.
6. Germination can take up to six weeks
7. Keep the soil moist by misting it with tap water, or rainwater.

Propagating Kangaroo Plants from Division

Well-established Kangaroo Paws can be divided into several new plants easily. The best time to do this is in the spring or autumn.

1. Using a garden fork, gently lift the Kangaroo Paw plant out of the soil.
2. Using a clean, sharp knife, cut away a piece of the plant through the root structure and gently pull it free.
3. Cut the leaves back by a third and plant it directly into a prepared flowerbed or container.
4. You should see new growth within a week or two.

How to Prune Kangaroo Paw Plants

Kangaroo Paw pruning easier than you think, and the plants respond well to heavy pruning. However, for most gardens, you can follow these instructions:

• Once the flowering season is over, use a clean pair of secateurs to cut back the entire plant. (See our review of the best secateurs in Australia)

• You can leave the leaf growth if the plant looks healthy, just removing dead leaves, but you should do a full prune of the entire plant, leaving about 1/3rd of the plant remaining at least once every two years.
• Cut the flower stalks right down to about 3cm off the ground at a 45° angle.
• Be careful to avoid cutting new buds and fresh stalks. In some cases, a heavy Kangaroo Paw pruning can result in a second flush of flowers in autumn.

When is the Right Time to Prune Kangaroo Paws?

Wondering when to prune Kangaroo Paws? The best time of year to tackle this job is late summer or early autumn, as soon as you notice that flowering has died off for the most part.

Why is Kangaroo Paw Pruning Important?

This heavy pruning is a great way to stimulate strong, vigorous growth in the spring, helping the plant produce plenty of dense foliage. Kangaroo Paw pruning is also an important disease prevention step, as it removes old foliage that can quickly become infected.

In some parts of Australia, old foliage is also a fire risk and should be removed before it dries into tinder.

Common  Kangaroo Paw Pests and Diseases

As native plants, Kangaroo Paws are fairly healthy and resistant to pests and diseases, which makes them very low maintenance plants and a favourite for parks, walkways and gardens. However, there are a couple of things you should watch out for.

Black Ink Spot Disease 

This disease kills leaf tissue, causing spots that look like small drops of black ink on the foliage. It is caused by a fungal infection, and can be controlled by cutting away infected foliage, spraying with a fungicide, and pruning your plants well each year.

Fungi love moisture, so you can prevent this issue by watering less in summer and only watering in the early morning.

Rust

Another fungal disease, rust causes orangey-brown blisters on foliage. It can be treated with neem oil or fungicide, and can be prevented by a good annual pruning and reduced watering through the warmer months.

Plants that are stressed by their environment are more likely to develop rust, so make sure your plant is getting enough sun and that the soil is draining properly.

Crown and root rot 

Overwatering can quickly cause crown and root rot, especially if the soil is soggy and drains poorly. Good air flow, sufficient sunlight and only watering when needed will prevent this problem.

Snails or slugs 

These creatures love Kangaroo Plants and can quickly damage the foliage. The best controls are environmental controls rather than snail bait.

Rather than letting poisons get into the environment, remove snails and slugs by hand, encourage natural predators and sprinkle used coffee grounds onto the soil.

Kangaroo Paw Frequently Asked Questions

Can a kangaroo paw be an indoor plant?

Kangaroo paw plants can be grown indoors or outdoors but are happiest outdoors in Australia, where they are native plants, and do well in most conditions.

Try to provide plenty of moisture, but allow the soil to dry between watering.

How big do kangaroo paw plants grow?

There are eleven different species of kangaroo paw plant. The smallest kangaroo paw plant grows to 50cm tall. The tallest species of kangaroo paw plant is around 1.5m.

How long do kangaroo paw plants last?

Kangaroo paw plants are long-lived perennials and will come back every year. However, even with perfect conditions, they will reduce flowering after around five years, so should be divided regularly to reinvigorate the plant.

Will kangaroo paw plants grow in shade?

If you have a north-facing garden in Australia, with more shade than sun, it’s not impossible to grow kangaroo paw plants, but they should be given as much light as possible and kept warm with reflective walls or fences adding to the light in shady conditions where possible.

Should I fertilise a kangaroo paw plant? 

As a native plant, your Kangaroo Paw gets all the nutrients it needs from the soil, and can even grow well in sandy, nutrient-poor soil.

If you want to boost growth and flowering, however, you can fertilise native plants with a single dose of slow-release or native blend fertiliser in the early spring.

Is a kangaroo paw plant fast growing?

When placed in a sunny position in well-drained soil, Kangaroo Paws grow vigorously and quickly through the spring and summer, so they are ideal for quickly adding colour and privacy to your garden.

Can I grow a kangaroo paw plant in a pot? 

These plants grow very well in containers providing you use a chunky, well-draining potting soil. Remember to buy a variety that is the right size for your container, as some plants grow very big and tall.

Generally, dwarf varieties like Bush Gold, Bush Pearl and Bush Diamond are ideal for container planting.

Are kangaroo paws good cut flowers? 

Kangaroo Paws are one of the best cut flowers on the market! Not only do the flowers grow on conveniently straight, slender stems all through the warmer months, the flowers also stay fresh and beautiful for weeks in a vase or arrangement.