One look at the flowers and you’ll see where this tropical plant gets its name.
Parrot’s beak is a stunning tropical flower that acts as a groundcover and trailing plant.
With lacy silver foliage on graceful stems, these plants work as backdrops in the garden.
Credit: David Speer
It blooms best in cool weather, so expect blooms in spring and early summer.
It may stop blooming completely in the heat of summer.
Prepare garden soil that is loamy, lightweight, and well-draining.
Credit: David Speer
Backfill the hole and press down on the soil to remove air pockets.
In warm tropical climates, they’ll grow well in the winter.
Light
Parrot’s beak does best in full sun, promoting better branching and intense silver foliage.
Credit: David Speer
It may be best to give these plants some shade during hot afternoons in climates with hot summers.
Soil and Water
These plants like pH-neutral,well-drained soil.
They’re likely to drop their leaves if they go too dry for too long.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Be sure to water them well, especially in the summer heat.
If you start to see leaf drop, your plant is getting too much or too little water.
Allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings.
Credit: John Reed Forsman
Temperature and Humidity
Parrot’s beak prefers moderate temperatures.
Otherwise, the plants will get leggy.
If they lose vigor as they age, the plants can easily be cut back to spur new growth.
Potting and Repotting Parrot’s Beak
Parrot’s beak is an excellent plant for potting.
Its trailing flowers are a pretty addition to an arrangement.
Use any container for potting parrot’s beak, as long as it’s well-draining.
Space the individual plants 8 to 12 inches apart in a moist, well-draining potting mix.
Water regularly when soil seems dry, especially in air-conditioned rooms.
Repot when roots grow out drainage holes or up through the soil.
Pests and Problems
Parrot’s beak has little trouble with pests or diseases.
The biggest threat to their survival is extreme heat or cold.
Spider mites,aphids, and mealybugs are possible problems for indoor parrot’s beak plants.
How to Propagate Parrot’s Beak
Parrot’s beak can be propagated bycuttingsor seeds.
Remove the leaves from the bottom 1 inch and insert them in a moist soilless mix.
Keep them in a warm area and provide high humidity for the best rooting success.
Move them outdoors after the last frost in spring.
Put the seed pod in a paper bag and leave it to dry for several days.
Break the pod open to locate the seeds.
Place the seeds in a bag containing peat moss and store it in a cool dry location.
When the seeds germinate, remove the bag and keep the growing medium moist as they grow.
They won’t produce flowers the first year.
This hybrid bears orange-red flowers above beautiful silver foliage.
Parrot’s Beak Companion Plants
Angelonia
Angelonia isalso called summer snapdragon.
It adds bright color to hot, sunny spaces.
This tough plant blooms all summer long.
While all varieties are beautiful, keep an eye out for the sweetly scented selections.
They last for a week or more in a vase, making them a favorite of flower arrangers.
This tender perennial will last through the winter in only the warmest parts of the country.
In the rest of the country, it’s grown as an annual.
Zones 9-11
Lisianthus
Lisianthus flowersmake people ooh and ahh.
Lisianthus is one of the best cut flowersit will last in a vase for 2 to 3 weeks.
However, lisianthus can be challenging to grow.
Remember that the plant only blooms when the nights are cooltypically in spring and early summer.
It may stop blooming entirely in the summer if nighttime temperatures remain high.
Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are all drawn to parrot’s beak blooms.
The plant is deer-resistant, but deer will nibble on it if no other food is available.
