The young plants usually flower after a year. Clumps may also be divided in early summer. Macropidia fulginosa is difficult to propagate from seed or by division. Commercially grown plants are usually produced by tissue culture. A major disease of kangaroo paws is a fungus which causes ink disease, Ink disease appears as large black blotches on the leaves.
Plants growing in cool moist climates are more susceptible.
Ink disease is difficult to treat. Vigorously growing plants are more resistant and dividing clumps after several years helps ensure strong growth. In most cases it is better to remove clumps of declining plants and plant new ones. This is especially true of short-lived species. Some disease resistant cultivars are also now available.