perennial

Green Kangaroo Paw

The Story

Plant Bio

Anigozanthos viridis, the green kangaroo paw, is a clumping, rhizomatous perennial native to the seasonally wet coastal regions of southwestern Australia. It produces slender, greyish-green, strap-like leaves in a basal rosette, topped by upright stems bearing tubular, bright green to yellow-green flowers covered in velvety, iridescent hairs.

This species is distinguished by its striking monochromatic green flowers and its unusual ability to tolerate damp, winter-wet soils far better than other kangaroo paws. The reflexed petals open to reveal a bright interior, attracting hummingbirds and insect pollinators throughout its spring bloom.

Uses & Benefits:

Velvety, bright green flowers on upright stems provide architectural structure and striking color.

Tolerates seasonally wet soils better than other kangaroo paws, making it suitable for rain gardens or damp depressions.

Nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to the garden.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

34"

Width

24"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a position in full sun to light open shade with sandy, loam, or well-drained clay loam soil.
Water regularly during the active growing season to keep the soil evenly moist, avoiding extreme dry spells.
Apply a low-phosphorus, slow-release fertilizer formulated for native plants in spring.
Prune old, flowered fans and spent stems to ground level in late summer to encourage new shoots.

Pro Tip

Cut spent flowering stems and old leaf fans completely to the ground in late summer; each fan flowers only once, and removing them stimulates fresh, vigorous growth from the underground rhizome.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Use low-phosphorus fertilizers to avoid toxicity.
Provide excellent air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
Cut old flowering fans completely to the ground after blooming.

Don't

Do not overwater during hot summer periods to prevent root rot.
Do not prune into old, leafless rhizome wood.
Do not use standard high-phosphorus garden fertilizers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

BordersContainersCoastal GardensMediterranean GardensRain Gardens

Companion Plants

Salvia Lomandra Grevillea Westringia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Green Kangaroo Paw questions

What zones can Green Kangaroo Paw grow in?

Green Kangaroo Paw is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Green Kangaroo Paw deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Green Kangaroo Paw, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Green Kangaroo Paw bloom?

Green Kangaroo Paw typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Green Kangaroo Paw need full sun?

Green Kangaroo Paw does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Green Kangaroo Paw drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Green Kangaroo Paw handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.