Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw) Anigozanthos manglesii
Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw) (Anigozanthos manglesii) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Haemodoraceae family, native to South-west Western Australia. It grows 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Haemodoraceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–104 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South-west Western Australia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
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 Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw)
- How far apart should I plant Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw)?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw) flower?
- About 52–104 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks.
- Is Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ 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 known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Red-and-green kangaroo paw (Mangles’ kangaroo paw). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- FloraBase: the Western Australian Flora, Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
Notes and assumptions
- An Australian native of poor, sandy soils: it wants sharp drainage and sun, and rots in heavy, wet ground or humid summers.
- Woolly flowers shaped like a kangaroo’s paw, emerald green with a scarlet stem, in spring; the floral emblem of Western Australia since 1960. Pollinated by honeyeaters, which pick up pollen on their foreheads. Often short-lived and prone to ink disease in humid gardens; hybrids are tougher.
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
- Kangaroo paw Anigozanthos flavidus
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
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- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea