Kangaroo Paw Yellow Gem

Kangaroo Paw 'Yellow Gem' (Anigozanthos 'Yellow Gem') lifts clear yellow flower stems to about 1.2m above a fan of strappy foliage roughly 60cm across. It is a Western Australian native that flowers through the warm months and draws honeyeaters within days of the first bud opening. Give it sun and drainage and it asks for little else.

Why you'll love it

• Colour that holds for months. Stems open in succession from spring into summer, so one clump keeps a bed working long after annuals finish.
• Honeyeaters find it fast. The tubular flowers are shaped for nectar feeding birds, an easy way to bring wildlife onto a suburban block.
• Genuinely tough. Drought and heat tolerant, at home in poor sandy ground and comfortable with salt air off the coast.
• Small footprint. The clump suits a narrow border or a single pot without crowding its neighbours.

Where it works best

Mass planting and borders. Plant 50cm apart for a bold drift. At that spacing the fans knit into a continuous band while each plant keeps airflow at the base.

Pots and courtyards. A 300mm pot of free draining mix suits one plant, and lifting it off wet ground is the safest approach where summer storms are heavy.

Coastal and small gardens. Salt and wind do not trouble it, and the upright stems read as a feature without taking floor space.

Growing kangaroo paw in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, six hours minimum, because shade gives soft foliage and few flowers. Warm temperate, Mediterranean, subtropical and arid gardens suit it best. It takes light frost only, so cool temperate districts with hard frost and wet winters should grow it potted under eaves.

Soil. Sharp drainage matters more than fertility. Sandy or gravelly ground is ideal. On clay, plant on a raised mound with grit through the backfill and keep mulch clear of the crown.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in long dry spells. A low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring covers the season.

Pruning. Cut each flower stem to the base as it finishes. Every year or two, shear the whole clump to about 100mm in late winter to clear tired leaves and bring on a fresh flush.

What to expect when it arrives

It is sold as tube stock, as 140mm plants in packs of ten and as 200mm plants in packs of six. Tubes are young single fans and the value choice for a large planting, usually flowering in their second season, while the 140mm and 200mm plants give a visible clump in year one.

Creased foliage after transit is normal and grows out. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect new fans within four to six weeks in warm weather, backed by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the kangaroo paw care guide for feeding and dividing.
• Browse more Australian native plants on the same water routine.
• Compare other bird attracting plants for the same bed.
• See which natives flower yellow alongside it.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Fifty centimetres apart for a mass planting. Any closer and the clumps crowd at the base, where fungal trouble starts in humid weather.

Will it flower in the first year?

Plants from 140mm and 200mm pots usually flower in their first warm season. Tube stock spends a year building roots and generally flowers the following spring.

Why did my last kangaroo paw die over winter?

Almost always wet feet rather than cold. The rhizome rots in ground that stays damp through winter, so drainage matters more than any frost cover.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, and it is the better option in heavy soil or a cool wet climate. Use free draining mix and keep the saucer empty.