The Spruce / Kara Riley
Kangaroo paw, also known as sword lily, is native to Australia.
It needs warm temperatures and is hardy toUSDA zones 10 and 11, where it isa perennial.
In cooler zones, it grows as an annual.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
It prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil.
Otherwise, it’s not difficult to grow as an annual.
They can even tolerate intense light from the hot afternoon sun.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Insufficient light, on the other hand, can cause tall plants to flop over and lessen bloom production.
Water
Although they have some drought tolerance, Kangaroo paw plants prefer moderatesoil moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
These plants thrive in the heat, and frost can be fatal.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
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.
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Types of Kangaroo Paw
Kangaroo paw is anAnigozanthosspecies in the Haemodoraceae family.
From the wild species, breeders have worked to create cultivars with increased disease resistance and showier flowers.
Pruning will prevent old foliage from becoming diseased and promote denser growth.
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Propagating Kangaroo Paw
you could propagate the plants by division.
Dividing plants every few years can also help promote healthy growth.
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.
During that time, keep it in a bright location but out of strong sunlight.
Overwintering
Kangaroo paws are cold-sensitive plants.
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.
Let it gradually get used to outdoor sunlight; otherwise, the leaves might burn.
The fungus manifests itself as blackening of the leaves and stems.
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.
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.
Also, be sure to deadhead spent blooms.
This is the ideal time to prune back the plant, promoting bushy, fresh growth in the spring.
Do this regularly, and the plant will put out more blooms until the winter months begin.
Kangaroo paws are not known to be toxic to dogs or cats.
Kangaroo paw fern (Microsorum diversifolium) is a different plant native to Australia.
