Black-and-white Fairy Plant Care
Macropidia fuliginosa Druce
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Macropidia fuliginosa, the sole species of genus Macropidia, is a perennial rhizomatous flowering plant. A relation of the kangaroo paws, Anigozanthos, which are also endemic to Southwest Australia, it is referred to as the black kangaroo paw.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Black-and-white Fairy?
Water Black-and-white Fairy every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Black-and-white Fairy Native To?
What Is the Black-and-white Fairy?
Black-and-white Fairy (Macropidia fuliginosa) belongs to the Haemodoraceae family within the Macropidia genus. Black-and-white Fairy is native to Southwest Australia. Black-and-white Fairy is also known as Black and White Fairy.
Black-and-white Fairy displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Black-and-white Fairy produces showy tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Black-and-white Fairy?
Macropidia fuliginosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Black-and-white Fairy Need?
Black-and-white Fairy thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Black-and-white Fairy Prefer?
Macropidia fuliginosa grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Black-and-white Fairy prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Black-and-white Fairy?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Black-and-white Fairy to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Black-and-white Fairy?
Feed Black-and-white Fairy every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Black-and-white Fairy?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Black-and-white Fairy?
Black-and-white Fairy can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds.
Is the Black-and-white Fairy Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Black-and-white Fairy, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Black-and-white Fairy?
Black-and-white Fairy is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Black-and-white Fairy Need?
Black-and-white Fairy grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Black-and-white Fairy is native to Southwest Australia. In cooler regions, grow Black-and-white Fairy as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Black-and-white Fairy is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Macropidia genus — compare its care with other Macropidia species on PlantoScan.
Macropidia is part of the Haemodoraceae plant family — browse all Haemodoraceae genera and species.
Black-and-white Fairy thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Macropidia fuliginosa Druce, family Haemodoraceae (first published in Bot. Soc. Exch. Club Brit. Isles 5: 634 (1917)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Black-and-white Fairy, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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