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How to Grow Parrot's Beak

iNaturalist

Parrot's Beak

Lotus berthelotii

flower

Parrot's Beak is a tender perennial subshrub native to the Canary Islands, known for its striking bright orange-red and yellow flowers that resemble a parrot's curved beak. The plant features delicate, needle-like silvery-green foliage and trailing growth habit, making it excellent for hanging baskets and containers. It blooms prolifically during spring and summer months.

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Example Parrot's Beak timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Parrot's Beak

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Parrot's Beak blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Parrot's Beak dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; requires bright light for best blooming
💧
Water: Moderate watering; allow soil to dry between waterings. Drought-tolerant once established. Reduce watering in winter.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first flowers from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: Surface sow seeds; barely cover with soil. Transplants at soil line.

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or gravelly loam
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Perlite or pumice for drainage Compost for light nutrition Sand to improve drainage

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 10b-11; grown as an annual or container plant in cooler zones

10b 11

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with first needle-like cotyledons and true leaves beginning to emerge

Keep soil lightly moist but well-drained; provide bright light; maintain 65-75°F

2

Vegetative

4-6 weeks

Low-growing mounding plant with silvery-green needle-like foliage; no flowers yet

Reduce watering slightly; pinch growing tips to encourage bushier growth; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with low-nitrogen feed

3

Flowering

8-12 weeks or until frost

Plant produces abundant striking orange-red and yellow curved beak-like flowers along trailing stems

Maintain consistent but not wet soil; deadhead spent flowers regularly; increase potassium fertilizer; provide full sun

4

Decline (Cold Season)

Variable, 3-6 months depending on climate

Plant growth slows significantly or stops; flowering ceases in cold weather or with reduced daylight

Reduce watering substantially; move indoors in frost-prone areas; minimal fertilizing; cut back dead growth in spring

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Senecio Osteospermum Diascia Calibrachoa Helichrysum Argyranthemum

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring consistently moist soil Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients Plants susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe; improve air circulation

  • Yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove heavily infested leaves

  • Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage natural predators like ladybugs

  • Ensure excellent drainage; reduce watering frequency; repot in fresh soil if infected; avoid overwatering

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers

Culinary

The bright flowers are edible with a slightly sweet, tangy flavor and are used as decorative garnish for salads and beverages. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Craft

The striking beak-shaped flowers make exceptional long-lasting cut flowers for floral arrangements and dried flower crafts. [source]

🏠

Container & Hanging Basket Display

Household

The trailing growth habit and prolific flowering make Parrot's Beak ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and mixed border plantings. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial pollinators to gardens and container displays. [source]

Harvest Tips

Parrot's Beak is ornamental; harvest flowers for arrangements by cutting stems with sharp scissors when blooms are fully open. Deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the season to encourage continuous blooming. In frost-free climates, the plant may bloom year-round with proper care.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The common name 'Parrot's Beak' perfectly describes the flower's curved shape, which resembles a parrot's hooked bill and is one of the most distinctive characteristics in ornamental horticulture.
  • 🌱 Despite being native to the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, Parrot's Beak is relatively rare in cultivation and is sometimes confused with other similar-looking Lotus species.
  • 🌱 The plant's narrow, silvery foliage is an adaptation to the dry, sunny conditions of its native habitat and helps reduce water loss through transpiration.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Perennial True Leaves
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