Anigozanthos

( an - ig - oh - ZANTH - us )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Kangaroo Paw or Catspaw, this genus includes evergreen species that hail from from southwestern Australia. Plants produce clumps of dark green, somewhat stiff foliage from thick rhizome roots. Flowering stems rise above leaves and are topped with fuzzy, tubular flowers in a variety of colors. These flowers will bloom from late spring to fall if expired flower stalks are cut back regularly. Kangaroo Paw are handsome cut flowers, and will attract hummingbirds and other nectar-loving pollinators to the garden.

Anigozanthos Species and Varietals

The genus Anigozanthos is a member of the plant family Haemodoraceae and includes 11 species. This genus was formally named by French botanist Jaques Labillardiere in his publication Relation du Voyage a la Recherche de la Perouse. The best zones for growing Kangaroo Paw are USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 15-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Anigozanthos bicolor (Cat's Paw, Little Kangaroo Paw, Two Colored Kangaroo Paw)
This native of coastal Western Australia and was first formally described in 1846 by botanist Stephan Endlicher. Flowers are green, yellow and red and bloom in spring and summertime. It grows naturally in moist areas that are wet in wintertime in open forest and low heathland environments. Individual plants reach up to 1-2 feet tall when in bloom.

Anigozanthos flavidus (Tall Kangaroo Paw, Evergreen Kangaroo Paw, Yellow Kangaroo Paw, Australian Yellow Sword Lily)
This species was first described in 1807 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle. Branching stems reach up to 5 feet tall and hold yellow-green flowers tinged with red. Foliage clump is 2-3 feet wide. Varieties come with flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, or brown. This species can live for upwards of 30 years in the garden.

Anigozanthos gabrielae (Dwarf Kangaroo Paw)
This species is endemic to western Australia, and grows in sandy areas that are wet in the wintertime. Flowers are red and green, and each inflorescence holds multiple flowers. These small flowers reach just 2-8 inches tall when mature and in bloom.

Anigozanthos humilis (Catspaw, Common Catspaw)
This low-growing species is native to Southwest Australia and occurs in open forest areas. It was first described in 1840 by John Lindley in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. Flower buds are yellow, fading to orange and red at their openings. Individual plants reach up to 1-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide when mature and in bloom.

Anigozanthos spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Kangaroo Paw)
This group of Kangaroo Paws hybridize freely in nature and cultivation. Foliage clumps range from about a foot to three feet wide and vary in height. Smaller varieties are great as container plants. The Bush Gems Series hybrids (those with 'Bush' at the beginning of their name) were bred to resist leaf and root diseases that commonly afflict Kangaroo Paw plants. Cultivars are outlined below.

'Amber Velvet'
To 3-4 feet tall with orange, yellow, and red flowers.

'Autumn Mystery'
Yellow-brown flowers with touches of red.

'Big Red'
Extra large, bright red blossoms on 3-4 foot tall stems.

'Bush Baby'
Flowers that blend to red, orange, and yellow on 1.5 foot stems.

'Bush Ember'
1-2 foot tall dwarf with flame-colored flowers; good for containers.

'Bush Emerald'
Green flowers with yellow throats and brilliant orange anthers bloom on 2-2.5 foot tall stems.

'Bush Glow'
With golden-orange flowers, to 1-2 feet tall.

'Bush Gold'
Bears clear-lemon yellow flowers above lime green leaves and blooms for a long period.

'Bush Inferno'
With intensely red flowers.

'Bush Lantern'
1-2 foot tall dwarf variety, great for container plantings. Bright yellow flowers.

'Bush Pearl'
Bubblegum-pink blossoms atop 2 foot tall stems.

'Bush Ranger'
Long-lived, to 1.5-2.5 feet wide foliage with clear red blooms.

'Gold Velvet'
To 3-4 feet tall with golden-yellow flowers.

'Harmony'
Yellow flowers top 4-6 foot tall stems with bright red hairs.

'King's Park Federation Flame'
To 1.5 feet tall, with bright orange-red flowers.

'Lilac Queen'
5-6 feet tall with mauve-lilac and almost white flowers.

'Pink Joey'
Pink, silvery flowers sit on stems that reach 1-3 feet tall.

'Regal Paw'
With orange and red flowers on a plant up to 5 feet tall.

'Regal Velvet'
Good frost tolerance, to 4-5 feet tall with red and green flowers.

'Red Cross'
4-5 feet tall with rich burgundy flowers.

Anigozanthos kabarriensis (Kalbarri Catspaw)
This species of Kangaroo Paw is native to the south western coastal areas of Western Australia, and reaches between 4 and 8 inches tall at maturity. Flowers are red, green, or yellow and bloom in springtime.

Anigozanthos manglesii (Red-And-Green Kangaroo Paw, Mangles' Kangaroo Paw, Kurulbrang)
Unbranched green stems reach about three feet tall and have red hairs. Flowers are vibrant green and have red bases. The basal clump of foliage reaches to 1.5 to 2 feet tall. This plant is the official floral emblem of Western Australia.

Fun Fact: The Kangaroo Paw plant is featured on the emblem of Western Australia.
Anigozanthos manglessii, or Mangles' Kangaroo Paw, is the species featured, with its fan-like flower inflorescence forming a beautiful surround for the crown. Most Anigozanthos species are found in Western Australia, making it fitting that the plant is used on the emblem.

Anigozanthos onycis (Branched Catspaw)
This species is considered rare, and is native to Southwest Australia in sandy woodlands and swampy areas. It was first described by Alex George in 1974, named for the claw-like structure of the flower inflorescence (onyx meaning talon or claw in Greek). Flowers are cream and red. This species has a single pollinator which evolved alongside it, the Tawny-Crowned Honeyeater.

Anigozanthos preissii (Albany Cat's Paw, Quoll's Paw)
Flowers are yellow, orange, and red in this species and leaves are typically greyish-green, forming in a rosette at the base of the flower stems. This species is endemic to Western Australia, where it naturally grows in coastal regions, particularly around Albany. This species was named for botanist Ludwig Preiss.

Anigozanthos pulcherrimus (Yellow Kangaroo Paw)
This species is native to Western Australia, and reaches a little over three feet tall. Flowers are yellow and bloom atop reddish stalks. Individual plants form basal clumps of green foliage to 18 inches tall and produce flowering stems that reach just over 3 feet tall when plants are in bloom.

Anigozanthos rufus (Red Kangaroo Paw, Crimson Kangaroo Paw, Backdraft)
Red Kangaroo Paw reaches between 8 inches and 3.5 feet tall at maturity when in bloom, and produces grey-green flappy leaves in a basal tuft of foliage. Flowers are purple to red to yellow, and have a velvety texture to them.

Anigozanthos viridis (Green Kangaroo Paw, Koroylbardany)
This plant typically reaches between 2 inches and 3.5 feet tall at maturity, and has unique green to teal flowers that bloom in springtime. It is native to Western Australia, where it grows in damp loamy or clay soils. The roots of this species are eaten by the Noongar people of Australia.

Caring for Anigozanthos

Plant Anigozanthos, or Kangaroo Paw, in full sun exposure (somewhere that receives between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day). These easy-care plants prefer light sandy soil or heavier soil amended to improve drainage, and do especially well in loamy soils. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost and sand before installing these flowers. Anigozanthos prefers a soil pH of between 5.8 and 6.5, and for soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In cooler months, watering can be greatly lessened; overwatering in the wintertime is one of the main causes of root rot issues. Kangaroo Paws are not heavy feeders, but to boost foliage and bloom during the active growing months, a dressing of organic compost can be applied each year in springtime. After planting Kangaroo Paw, mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold.

Pruning Kangaroo Paw includes cutting back spent flower stems to the base of the plant and trimming or otherwise removing dead or damaged foliage to maintain a neat appearance. If growing Kangaroo Paw in a cramped space, plants will need to be divided every few years to avoid becoming over-crowded. For instructions on how to successfully divide Kangaroo Paw plants, see the propagation section below. Consider covering your Kangaroo Paw plants in the wintertime with frost cloth when the temperatures will be dropping below freezing. Outside of their prescribed growing zones, they can be grown as annuals. When cared for properly, these plants can last for decades in the landscape before needing to be replaced.

Growing Anigozanthos in Containers
Kangaroo Paw plants are typically grown in the ground, but they can also be cultivated in pots, which allows for plants grown in cooler climates to be brought to a sheltered location over winter. Dwarf and compact varieties do very well in pots, and even fully-sized Kangaroo Paw plants can be installed in large containers. Choose a container that is a few inches wider and deeper than the root ball, and fill with well-draining potting soil amended with compost and sand. Ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow the excess water to flow away. Mulch over the top of soil to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, but will need more frequent irrigation than their in-ground counterparts. Every few years, check to see if roots are attempting to grow through the drainage holes. This is a good indicator that the plant should be divided. For instructions on how to successfully divide Anigozanthos plants, see the propagation section below.

Propagation

Anigozanthos can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your flower, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Anigozanthos by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing (the best temperature range for germinating Anigozanthos seeds is between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit). Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Anigozanthos by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick rhizome section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided rhizomes about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

A dried seed pod of an Anigozanthos manglesii plant, ready to be harvested for its contents.

Anigozanthos seeds are small and black.

Kangaroo Paw plants pulled out of the ground, ready to be divided.

Culms and rhizomatic roots of Kangaroo Paw plants.

Problems and Pests

Kangaroo Paw is considered an easy-care plant, and is relatively resistant to most pests and diseases but can be susceptible to the following issues if conditions are right: