This evergreen perennial forms clumps to 1 to 2 feet wide with blue-green strap-shaped leaves to 2 feet tall. For a long period from spring through early summer emerge the dark red tubular flower buds that flare open at tips like a paw on branching 3 foot tall stems that are covered with downy red hairs.

This plant will generally have flowers continuously for 3 to 4 months during this period and often will produce a few flowers at other times as well. Plant in a sunny and open position in the garden in well-drained soils. Irrigate regularly and fertilize in spring (not heavily and keep (P) phosphorus on the low side). Hardy to about 25 degrees F. Fans only flower once and need to be cleaned out after the flowering period so remove the old leaves down to as low as possible at the end of a season. Care should be exercised that the new emerging fans are not damaged.

Anigozanthos rufus is known to tolerate moderate frosts and a wider range of soils than other Kangaroo Paws but does require good drainage and is susceptible to Ink Disease. A great small to midsize kangaroo paw that has attractive flowers and attracts hummingbirds. It is the only Kangaroo Paw that is found in the Esperance region in the southeastern corner of Western Australia where it grows in depressions in seasonally winter rainfall wet sandy soils.