Garden hybrid

This is a garden hybrid, bred from more than one wild species, so it has no single species page of its own.

5 other cultivars

perennial

Bush Tango Kangaroo Paw

Anigozanthos x hybrida 'Bush Tango'

The Story

Plant Bio

Anigozanthos hybridus, commonly known as kangaroo paw, is an evergreen perennial forming clumps of upright, sword-shaped green leaves. The distinctive tubular flowers are covered in dense, velvety hairs and split open at the tips to resemble animal claws.

'Bush Tango' is a compact hybrid cultivar distinguished by its bright, iridescent orange flowers borne on woolly pink-to-orange stems. This selection exhibits greater tolerance for heavier soils than many other kangaroo paws, though it still requires excellent drainage.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides architectural structure with upright, sword-like foliage and long-lasting, fuzzy orange flowers.

Highly drought-tolerant once established and suitable for low-water, coastal, or fire-safe landscaping.

The nectar-rich tubular flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds in North American gardens.

Garden hybrid

Bred from more than one wild species, so it has no species page of its own.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

35"

Width

35"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low to Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic (hairs may irritate skin)

Bloom period

Spring – Fall

In flower about 9 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with sandy, loamy, or gritty soil that drains rapidly.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant with the crown level with the surrounding soil.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish the root system, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
Apply a low-phosphorus, slow-release fertilizer once in spring to support flowering without burning the roots.

Pro Tip

Cut spent flowering fans cleanly to ground level after blooming; leaving old stems invites fungal disease and crowds the crown.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Cut spent flower stems and their associated foliage fans down to ground level after flowering.
Use only low-phosphorus fertilizers formulated for native plants.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent winter root rot.

Don't

Do not overwater during the winter months when the plant is less active.
Do not plant in heavy, unamended clay soils.
Do not prune into old, leafless woody tissue below active growth points.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

BordersContainersCoastal GardensGravel GardensCutting Gardens

Companion Plants

Epilobium canum Salvia apiana Lomandra longifolia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Bush Tango Kangaroo Paw questions

What zones can Bush Tango Kangaroo Paw grow in?

Bush Tango 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 Bush Tango Kangaroo Paw deer resistant?

Yes — Bush Tango Kangaroo Paw is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Bush Tango Kangaroo Paw bloom?

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

Does Bush Tango Kangaroo Paw need full sun?

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

Is Bush Tango Kangaroo Paw drought tolerant?

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