Kangaroo paw Anigozanthos flavidus
Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos flavidus) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Haemodoraceae family, native to South-western Australia (Western Australia). It grows 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) tall and 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.
Plan Kangaroo paw in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Kangaroo paw at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Haemodoraceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 80 cm (31 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 37 °C (99 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 9–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South-western Australia (Western Australia) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Kangaroo paw toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA; no poisoning reports found.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Kangaroo paw
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Kangaroo paw in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (12 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (8 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (8 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (5 plants)
Questions about Kangaroo paw
- How far apart should I plant Kangaroo paw?
- About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Kangaroo paw need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Kangaroo paw need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Kangaroo paw?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Kangaroo paw flower?
- From about April for 9–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Kangaroo paw poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA; no poisoning reports found.
- What grows well with Kangaroo paw?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Kangaroo paw. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Needs very good drainage and air movement; ink disease and rot are common in humid or wet conditions.
- Short-lived; named hybrids differ in hardiness and size. Flowers in spring in Australia, mapped to the northern calendar.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw) Anigozanthos manglesii
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea