Royal Cheer Kangaroo Paw

Royal Cheer Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos hybrid 'Royal Cheer') is a compact form of the classic red and green kangaroo paw, growing 60cm to 90cm tall and about 60cm wide. Rich red and emerald green flowers, each bud tipped dark, appear in the warm months and may repeat through the year in favourable conditions. It is a hybrid of Anigozanthos manglesii, the species behind the traditional red and green paw.

Why you'll love it

• Classic red and green. Scarlet and emerald flowers with a dark tip to each bud are the colours people picture when they think of a kangaroo paw.
• May flower again. In favourable conditions it repeats flowering through the year, rather than giving a single flush.
• Compact. Under a metre tall, it is a more manageable cousin of the full-sized species.
• Tidy foliage. When not in flower, the neat leaves still look good.
• Wildlife and cut flowers. It attracts birds, and the stems are ideal for cutting and floral arrangements.

Where it works best

Sunny borders. Plant 60cm apart in a well drained, sunny border, where the red and green flowers stand out against grey-green foliage.

Massed displays. A group of five or seven plants spaced 60cm apart makes a bold drift.

Pots. Use a pot at least 30cm wide, filled with native potting mix, in full sun with plenty of air.

Growing Royal Cheer Kangaroo Paw in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in a frost-free location with plenty of air. Kangaroo paws like well drained, somewhat drier conditions, so Royal Cheer suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and dry inland gardens. In humid or frosty areas, a pot is safer.

Soil. Light, free draining soil. Raise the bed on clay, or use a pot of native potting mix.

Water and feed. Water regularly while it establishes, then deeply in dry weather, and let the soil surface dry between waterings. Feed in spring with a low phosphorus native fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune old flowers and dead foliage regularly, and the plant will reward your efforts. Cutting flowers for the house also helps keep it producing.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Royal Cheer Kangaroo Paw as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. The tubes are supplied by our grower, so stock comes and goes. A sold out tube means the grower has none right now, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it returns. Expect a small clump of neat leaves. Unpack promptly, plant at the same depth as the tube in full sun and water in well.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• See all kangaroo paws
• Kangaroo paw care guide
• More Australian natives
• Plants for pots and containers

Common questions

Will it flower more than once a year?

It can. In favourable conditions it may repeat flower through the year, especially if you keep removing spent stems.

What is it related to?

It is a hybrid of Anigozanthos manglesii, the classic red and green kangaroo paw, bred as a more compact plant.

Is it safe for pets?

Kangaroo paws are not known to be toxic to dogs or cats, which makes this a reasonable choice for gardens with pets.