How to Grow and Care for Kangaroo Paw

Kangaroo paw, also known as sword lily, is native to Australia. It needs warm temperatures and is hardy to USDA zones 10 and 11, where it is a perennial. In cooler zones, it grows as an annual. It prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil. These plants can grow up to 6 feet tall and have long leaves similar to daylilies and tubular, fuzzy flowers that give them their namesake paw-like appearance.

How to Grow Kangaroo Paw

Kangaroo paw grows best in USDA zones 10 or 11, where it will grow in the ground and come back year after year as a perennial. Otherwise, it's not difficult to grow as an annual. Here are the main care requirements for kangaroo paw:

• Choose a sunny spot, ideally with six hours of direct sunlight or more.
• Prepare soil that is moist but well-draining.
• Water regularly, but do not let the plant sit in soggy soil, which can rot its roots.
• Protect these plants from frost.
• Fertilizing isn't generally necessary when growing kangaroo paw as an annual, but if you have it in the ground as a perennial, consider amending the soil with compost once a year at the beginning of the growing season.

Light

These plants prefer to grow in full sun. At least six hours of direct sunlight on most days will enable kangaroo paw plants to produce the best growth and blooms. They can even tolerate intense light from the hot afternoon sun. Insufficient light, on the other hand, can cause tall plants to flop over and lessen bloom production.

Soil

Sandy soil with a slightly acidic pH (5.8 to 6.5) is their preferred growth medium, but kangaroo paws can tolerate various soil types as long as there is good drainage.

Water

Although they have some drought tolerance, Kangaroo paw plants prefer moderate soil moisture. Soggy soil can cause root rot and kill the plants, so wait until the top couple of inches of soil are dry to the touch before watering. However, when most of the blooming occurs in the spring and summer, kangaroo paws appreciate some additional water.

Temperature and Humidity

These plants thrive in the heat, and frost can be fatal. They like temperatures between roughly 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They also naturally thrive in dry conditions but can tolerate some humidity, too.

Fertilizer

Kangaroo paw plants aren't heavy feeders, so regular fertilizing isn't necessary. In the spring, before the flower stalks appear, add a cup or two of compost to the soil to promote healthy growth.

Types of Kangaroo Paw

Kangaroo paw is an Anigozanthos species in the Haemodoraceae family. From the wild species, breeders have worked to create cultivars with increased disease resistance and showier flowers. Some popular kangaroo paw plants or lower classifications include:

• Red and green kangaroo paw (A. manglesii): The floral emblem of Western Australia, this plant produces green and red flowers and stems.
• Tall kangaroo paw (A. flavidus): This species features flowers that are usually yellow-green and grow to around six feet tall.
• Little kangaroo paw (A. bicolor): This plant remains less than two feet tall and produces yellow-green and red flowers.
• Dwarf kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos 'Bush Ranger'): This hybrid between A. humilis and A. flavidus has red flowers. It only grows to a width and height of one to two feet.

Pruning

Kangaroo paw plants respond well to heavy pruning. Cut back the plants—leaves, flower stalks, and all—to six inches above the soil line after the blooms have faded. Pruning will prevent old foliage from becoming diseased and promote denser growth. You also might be rewarded with a second, smaller flush of blooms toward the end of the growing season.

Propagating Kangaroo Paw

You can propagate the plants by division. Dividing plants every few years can also help promote healthy growth.

1. Remove the plant from the soil with a shovel. If it is too big and heavy to be lifted at once, cut apart the plant at the roots with a pointed shovel or a spade, then lift the sections out of the ground with a shovel.
2. Trim all the leaves to a height of about 12 inches using pruners or shears.
3. Replant each section in a new location. Keep the newly planted Kangaroo paws well-watered until you see new growth.

How to Grow Kangaroo Paws from Seed

If you're patient, you can propagate your kangaroo paw plants from seed planted in the spring.

1. Presoak seeds in hot water for two hours to soften the seed coat and increase the chances of germination.
2. Place them on warm, moist seed-starting soil.
3. Keep the soil moist, and don't give up on germination until at least six weeks have passed.

Potting and Repotting

To grow kangaroo paws in pots, choose a smaller dwarf species or hybrid. For container plants, use an all-purpose potting mix amended with a few handfuls of sand. This mimics the sandy soil in which kangaroo paws grow in their native Australia.

Once the roots have filled the pots, the plant needs repotting, which is best done in the spring. Either plant it in a larger pot that allows for growth or divide the rhizomes and replant them in several smaller pots, using a combination of potting mix and sand.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy until the plant shows some new growth, which is a sign that it is getting established. During that time, keep it in a bright location but out of strong sunlight. Once the plant is established, you can move the pot to its permanent location in full sun.

Overwintering

Kangaroo paws are cold-sensitive plants. Once the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, bring the pots inside to a bright location with as much light as possible. Keep the soil on the dry side without letting it dry out completely; water the plant occasionally.

Watering gradually increases in the late winter to early spring as the growing season restarts. When the temperatures consistently remain above 50 degrees F, move it back outside but keep it in a shady location away from direct sunlight for a couple of weeks. Let it gradually get used to outdoor sunlight; otherwise, the leaves might burn.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Although these plants have no serious problems with pests or diseases, watch your kangaroo paw plant for signs of ink spot disease. The fungus manifests itself as blackening of the leaves and stems. Remove diseased foliage, and aim to prevent the fungus by keeping plants in full sun with good air circulation and well-draining soil.

How to Get Kangaroo Paw to Bloom

Kangaroo paw plants should bloom readily if healthy and in optimal growing conditions. Though they can grow in partial sunlight, full sunlight (at least six direct hours of sun) will bring out the most flowers.

Bloom Time

These plants will bloom in the spring and offer their signature flowers into the fall.

How Long Does Kangaroo Paw Bloom?

Kangaroo paw plants bloom for many months, starting in late spring. They will put out more blooms if deadheaded regularly, and if you live in a perennial area, kangaroo paw plants will bloom year after year.

What Do Kangaroo Paw Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Kangaroo paw flowers look like an animal's fuzzy paw, hence the name. They are typically a red, yellow, or pinkish shade and do not offer much fragrance.

How to Encourage More Blooms

In addition to ensuring kangaroo paw plants get enough sunlight, you can offer them small amounts of regular fertilizer, which may encourage them to bloom more. Also, be sure to deadhead spent blooms.

Caring for Kangaroo Paw After It Blooms

Kangaroo paw plants bloom through fall, so their post-blooming season is winter. This is the ideal time to prune back the plant, promoting bushy, fresh growth in the spring.

Deadheading Kangaroo Paw Flowers

Deadhead spent kangaroo paw flowers by cutting just below the flowers with clean shears. Do this regularly, and the plant will put out more blooms until the winter months begin.

• Is kangaroo paw plant toxic to dogs?

  Kangaroo paws are not known to be toxic to dogs or cats.

• Is kangaroo paw plant the same as kangaroo paw fern?

  Kangaroo paw fern (Microsorum diversifolium) is a different plant native to Australia.

• What's the lifespan of kangaroo paws?

  It depends on the species and cultivar; some last two to three years, while others, including some taller varieties, can live much longer.

From: thespruce