Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos spp.) is one of the most recognizable flowers to come out of Australia, sending up tall stems topped with tubular, fuzzy blooms in red, yellow, pink, and orange. The common name comes from the flower’s paw-like shape, and the long, sword-shaped leaves resemble daylily foliage. In USDA zones 10 and 11 the plant is a dependable perennial; in cooler zones gardeners treat it as an annual or overwinter it indoors. Choosing between annual and perennial life cycles is one of the first decisions in any flower garden, and the real differences between annuals, perennials, and biennials determine how much work each plant demands. Kangaroo paw rewards that planning with months of exotic color.
Match the Climate and the Life Cycle
Kangaroo paw comes from southwestern Australia, a region of warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The plant wants warmth, full sun, and good drainage, and it stops growing well once temperatures drop. Frost is the hard limit: one hard freeze can kill the crown outright.
Hardiness Zones
Plant kangaroo paw in the ground only in USDA zones 10 and 11. Gardeners in zones 8 and 9 can grow it as a tender perennial with winter protection, while gardeners in colder zones treat it as an annual and replant each spring.
The plant’s natural range runs along the southwest coast of Western Australia, where winter rains and dry summers set the rhythm. That climate explains two quirks: the plant tolerates drought once established, and it slows down or dies back when the weather turns cold and wet. Gardeners who replicate the dry-summer pattern get the heaviest bloom.
Zone 9 Workarounds
In zone 9, mulch heavily after the first frost and cover the crown with frost cloth on cold nights. Some gardeners dig and store the rhizomes, the same technique used for other tender plants in fall. Zone 9 gardeners can also pot a few plants and move them under cover for the coldest weeks, a middle path between annual and perennial treatment.
Grown as an Annual
The annual route still delivers a strong show, and pairing the plant with quick performers stretches the season. Gardeners who want fast results can combine kangaroo paw with other fast-growing flowers for a vibrant cutting garden that fills vases within weeks of planting. Start seeds or nursery plants indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost so the annual gets a full season of bloom.
| Factor | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Full sun | Partial shade cuts bloom count |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained | Loam, sand, or silt; pH 5.5 to 7.0 |
| Water | Regular | Let the top inch dry between waterings |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 10 to 11 | Annual elsewhere; overwinter indoors |
| Bloom | Spring to fall | Red, yellow, pink, orange |
| Height | 3 to 6 feet | Spreads 2 to 4 feet wide |
Plant in the Right Spot With the Right Soil
Choose a spot with at least six hours of direct sun. Kangaroo paw tolerates partial shade, but bloom counts drop noticeably in anything less than full exposure. The soil should stay moist yet drain fast; standing water rots the rhizomes within weeks.
Soil Preparation
Loamy, sandy, or silty soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 suits the plant. Work coarse sand or perlite into heavy soil, and use raised beds where drainage is a problem. Raised beds also warm the root zone earlier in spring.
Planting Depth and Spacing
Set the rhizome 2 to 3 inches deep with the growing tips facing up. Space plants about 2 feet apart, because mature clumps reach 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Water in well after planting and keep the soil lightly moist for the first month.
Mulch around the base with coarse bark or gravel to keep the crown dry and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from the growing points, because a covered crown rots in humid weather.
A Cutting-Garden Star
Long, sturdy stems and vivid colors make kangaroo paw a natural for the cutting garden. Growers who plant for bouquets choose varieties with strong stems and harvest in the cool of the morning, and the 15 fast-growing flowers for a cutting garden from This Old House is a practical reference for filling gaps with quick color between the showier perennials.
Kangaroo paw also anchors mixed borders and xeriscape beds. Pair it with ornamental grasses, agaves, and low succulents that share its tolerance for dry conditions, and give it room so the flower stalks stand clear of surrounding foliage. The vertical spikes add structure that reads well from across the yard.
Water, Feed, and Keep Blooms Coming
Kangaroo paw needs regular moisture during active growth but hates soggy conditions. Water deeply once or twice a week and let the top inch of soil dry between waterings. Ease off in fall as growth slows.
Fertilizer
Skip fertilizer for annual plantings, because the plant evolved on low-nutrient soils. For perennial clumps, apply a low-phosphorus, slow-release feed once in early spring. High-phosphorus formulas can burn the roots of this genus.
Support tall flower stems in exposed beds, because wind can snap a 5-foot stalk in full bloom. Install a discreet stake or grow the plant against a wall for shelter. After the last flowers fade, cut old stalks to the ground; the plant channels energy into new growth and a possible second flush.
Extending Bloom Time
Deadhead spent stems by cutting them at the base, which pushes the plant to produce fresh flower stalks. A well-tended clump blooms from spring through fall in warm zones, delivering the bright blooms that last that gardeners look for when planning for summer-long color. Regular picking also extends the show, because every stem removed triggers another.
Cut Flowers and Vase Life
Harvest stems when the lowest flowers on each stalk open. Strip the lower leaves, place stems in water immediately, and the flowers hold for about a week, longer with a floral preservative.
Propagate and Overwinter
Kangaroo paw grows from rhizomes, the same storage structure used by canna lilies, and division is the fastest way to multiply your stock. Plants also come true from seed, though more slowly.
Division and Seed
Divide clumps every three to four years in early spring. Cut the rhizome into sections with several growing points each, then replant immediately:
- Water the clump a day before dividing.
- Lift it with a garden fork.
- Shake off the soil and locate the growing points.
- Cut the rhizome into sections with a clean knife.
- Replant at the same depth and water in.
Seeds germinate slowly and produce variable colors, so most gardeners rely on division for named varieties.
Seed-grown plants take two years to reach blooming size, so division remains the practical route for most gardeners.
Container growing solves the hardiness problem in cold zones. Plant kangaroo paw in a large pot with gritty mix, keep it on a sunny patio in summer, and wheel it into a bright, frost-free room when temperatures threaten. The plant flowers indoors through winter if light levels stay high.
Overwintering in Cool Zones
The rhizome system makes overwintering practical in cool zones. Lift clumps after the first frost, trim the leaves, and store rhizomes in barely moist peat at 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The process mirrors canna lily care, where tropical rhizomes also need indoor storage wherever winters freeze.
Storing Rhizomes
Check stored rhizomes monthly and discard any that soften or mold. Mist them lightly if they shrivel. Start the rhizomes in pots eight weeks before the last frost for a head start on the season.
Watch for Pests, Disease, and Fall Color
Kangaroo paw is generally trouble-free, but a few problems show up with enough regularity to plan for them.
Pests and Diseases
Common issues include:
- Ink spot disease, which darkens leaves and flower stems
- Snails and slugs chewing new growth
- Spider mites during hot, dry weather
- Root rot in poorly drained soil
Improve airflow by thinning dense clumps, water at the base to keep foliage dry, and remove infected leaves as soon as you spot them.
Ink spot disease deserves special attention because it spreads fast in cool, wet weather. Remove infected leaves and stems, avoid overhead watering, and thin the clump to open the center. Fungicide sprays help in severe cases, but improving airflow usually stops the outbreak.
Planning the Fall Garden
While kangaroo paw winds down in fall, the season does not have to end the color show. Cold-hardy fall flowers for winter gardens that survive freezing temperatures keep beds lively long after tender plants fade, so pair the exotic blooms with hardy fall performers and plan the transition from the first frost onward. Cut back tattered foliage in late winter before new growth emerges, and clear away fallen leaves that harbor spores.
Kangaroo paw’s bold silhouette makes it a statement plant, and gardeners who enjoy drama can explore the opposite end of the palette by growing black flowers for a bold and dramatic garden design. Start with one clump in a sunny, well-drained bed, protect it from frost, and the fuzzy blooms keep returning year after year. Cut stems also anchor bouquets for up to a week, so the plant earns its keep in both garden and vase.