Parrots Beak is a trailing, tender, herbaceous perennial vine or sub shrub in the bean family and native to the Canary Islands. The plant is noted for its red blossoms that bloom from spring into summer and colorful, silver-gray, evergreen leaves. It will grow to about 9 inches high, but spreads to 3 feet. It is thought to be extinct in the wild, but is widely cultivated. The genus name comes from the classical Greek name lotos applied to many plants including clover, birds foot trefoil and fenugreek. The species name honors Sabin Berthelot who co-authored a natural history of the Canary Islands. Plant in full sun to encourage blossoms and in light, well-drained soil. In hot climates, it will accept partial shade in the afternoons. Provide even moisture and allow the top of the soil to dry before rewatering. Parrots Beak does not tolerate winter cold and dislikes hot summer temperatures and may stop blooming when nighttime temperatures are at high levels. Plants grown from seed will not produce flowers in the same year while plants from cuttings often do produce flowers in same year. Parrots Beak is often grown in containers, as an annual in areas north of USDA zone 10 or, with its low height and wide spread, as a ground cover. Plant it in a border front or in hanging baskets or rock walls where it can take advantage of its attractive spreading habit. The Clemson Home and Garden Information Center has a fact sheet on gardening with hanging baskets including planting Parrots Beak in a hanging basket. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: It can be finicky about watering and too much or too little can cause foliage drop or root rot. No serious insect or disease problems. Spider mites, mealy bugs and aphids can be issues.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Spreading; Weeping
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver
Leaf type
Needles; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are divided into 1 inch long, needle-like leaflets spaced along the stems in whorls (3 to 7 leaflets per whorl). Stems will spread to 2 to 3 feet long or more. Leaves are covered in fine, silvery hairs.
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Red blooms appear from May into July. Flowers bloom in clusters at the stem ends. Each 1 inch flower begins red and matures to orange red, sickle-shaped with a prominent beak.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Canary Islands and Cape Verde Islands
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Attracts
Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Rock Wall
Landscape theme
Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#red flowers #flowers late spring #flowers early summer #showy flowers #border planting #rock garden #flowers mid-summer #border front #hanging baskets #garden walls #herbaceous perennial #evergreen #vine #endangered #ornamental vine #subshrub #groundcover