Family: Fabaceae
Parrot’s beak is a flowering, herbaceous, prostrate-spreading plant. It is valued for the needle-like, silvery foliage contrasted with red and yellow parrot-beak-like flowers. The flowers are spectacular; they grow in clusters from the stem ends. Endemic to the Canary Islands, parrot’s beak is almost extinct in the wild but very common in cultivation. The botanical name is somewhat misleading as this plant is not related to the true water lotus.
Pinch the growing tips to promote robust growth. The creeping habit makes this an excellent plant for hanging baskets. It requires good drainage. As a drought-tolerant plant, let it dry out between waterings if it’s grown in a container. Flowering will occur in the second year of growth when propagated by seed. With cuttings, flowering will occur in the same year.
Plant Uses:
- Container plant
- Erosion control
- Indoor plant
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
