perennial

Large Red Kangaroo Paw

The Story

Plant Bio

Anigozanthos is a genus of evergreen Australian perennials characterised by basal fans of strappy, sword-like foliage and upright, branching stems. The distinctive tubular flowers are covered in dense, velvety hairs that resemble the paw of a kangaroo, adapted to pollination by nectar-feeding birds.

'Big Red' is a robust tetraploid hybrid producing deep red, velvety flowers on stems reaching up to two metres in height. This cultivar exhibits greater tolerance to soil types and light frost than many of its parent species, while maintaining a compact foliage clump.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides striking architectural form with tall, deep red flower spikes that make excellent long-lasting cut flowers.

Highly drought-tolerant once established and suitable for low-water, low-maintenance native landscaping.

Attracts nectar-feeding native birds, native bees, and butterflies to the garden.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

78 inches

Width

39 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low to Moderate

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia (Western Australia parentage)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with highly free-draining soil to prevent rhizome rot.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery pot.
Water regularly during the active spring and summer growing seasons to establish the root system.
Apply a light application of low-phosphorus native slow-release fertiliser in early spring.
Prune spent flower stems and their associated foliage fans directly to ground level post-flowering.

Pro Tip

Cut spent flowering fans right down to the rhizome at ground level after the main flush; this stimulates fresh shoots from the underground stem and prevents fungal ink-spot disease from spreading.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Cut spent flowering fans completely to the ground to encourage new growth.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly and completely.
Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry.
Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly.

Don't

Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged or boggy.
Do not perform random tip-pruning on the flower stems.
Do not overhead water, which encourages fungal leaf diseases.
Do not apply heavy-handed or high-phosphorus fertilisers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Architectural featureBird-attracting gardenCoastal gardenContainer specimenCut flower garden

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Chamelaucium uncinatum Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'Lomandra longifolia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Large Red Kangaroo Paw questions

What zones can Large Red Kangaroo Paw grow in?

Large Red 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.

When does Large Red Kangaroo Paw bloom?

Large Red 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 Large Red Kangaroo Paw need full sun?

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

Is Large Red Kangaroo Paw drought tolerant?

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