Kangaroo Paw

4.5 out of 5 (4 experiences)

Browns easily

Fast grower

Also known as

Kangaroo Fern and Zealandia pustulata

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Zealandia pustulata subsp. pustulata

Genus

Zealandia

Family

Polypodiaceae

Order

Polypodiales

How to care for Kangaroo Paw

💦 Water

How often to water your Kangaroo Paw

Kangaroo Paw needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Kangaroo Paw in your home

Kangaroo Paw may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Kangaroo Paw in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Kangaroo Paw

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Kangaroo Paw: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Kangaroo Paw after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

I did it again.... I went to the store and fell in love with a fern and brought it home 😍 let's see if this one fares better than my blue star fern did. Someday I will get good at taking care of ferns, hopefully anyways because they always call to me 🥲 #plantgoals I also brought home an unmarked plant, last of his kind, decided he belonged with me. But when Greg ID'd it as club moss I suddenly had flashbacks to the last club moss I brought home 😱 which means I actually brought two ferns home, preparing for heartbreak. I think it's actually a rainbow fern specifically. Parts of it are a beautiful blue green Thirdly I picked up this cool succulent I don't think I've seen before. My husband wanted a succulent for his home office and I think he will enjoy it. The textures and warm rich colors on this guy are captivating 🤩 My husband is heading out of town for the week, needed that #planttherapy 😢 #plantaddict #fernfriends #succulentsquad

WHATS MY NAME? #HelpMeNameMyPlant #whatsmyname #plantnamesunday Can we get another member to make it 60 or more members of #HelpMeNameMyPlant ? I hope so !!! Another #plantnamesunday for me as I demand #HelpMeNameMyPlant (over 50 members!) as created by @Corinne. So here’s a new plant with a definite Australia outlook! It’s a Kangaroo Paw and is the State Emblem for Western Australia (the largest state and no guesses as to where it is located on the continent LOL). This cultivator is called Bush Fire (what we call Wild Fires over in the land Down Under) and is beauty, maaaaate! So I am thinking a kangaroo theme or if that is too much of a challenge then maybe to do with the color and fire? I love the scene in Crocodile Dundee when Mick Dundee has a kangaroo shooting back! It’s a climatic moment of the tables being turned and I love it and the music that goes with it (do yourself a favor and watch this movie at least once as it was the biggest independent movie in the world at the time, even if it hasn’t aged that well, I guess). But there are some beautiful scenes and the romance between the main actors was real as they married (although now divorced) and had a son. And it does have some classsic Aussie human and some classic lines. I think @Boymom-plantmom actually has a kangaroo paw if my memory serves me well. And if not, I am blaming “long Covid” and just “Biden” my time so I can come up Trumps LOL (wow never a dull moment in American politics !?!) Anyway, what shall I call this magnificent example for a Kangaroo Paw. Any ideas? #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #PLANTMAFIA #PlantTherapy #GrowLights #theamigos #Seymour #HelpMeNameMyPlant #GregGang #Greggers #KangarooPaw

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Kangaroo Paw prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Kangaroo Paw Water Frequency →

Kangaroo Paw Root Rot →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Kangaroo Paw Toxicity to Cats →

Kangaroo Paw Toxicity to Dogs →

Kangaroo Paw Toxicity to Humans →

🌱 Propagation

Kangaroo Paw can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate Kangaroo Paw →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.