Kangaroo Paw is a western Australian evergreen, rhizomatous perennial that is either grown in a greenhouse or as a conservatory plant here in NC. Its preference is for well-drained sandy to rocky loam soils, but it is adaptable to clay soil. Although this plant is widely cultivated in Southern California, it is not well adapted to North Carolina's climate. Long, slender, strap-like leaves grow in rosettes from which leafless 3-6 foot stems appear. The flowers are showy and long-lasting. In areas where it can be grown outdoors, it will bloom spring through fall. In greenhouses, it may bloom continuously. The flowers are said to resemble a kangaroo paw. Use this plant in containers or in borders or small groups of Asian or cutting gardens. Insect Pests, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Watch for aphids, powdery mildew, or ink spot disease.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.