Growing the Parrot's Beak Flower
The parrot's beak flower is one of the most exotic, beautiful plants you can grow in your garden. It is an evergreen perennial that sports blooms in shades of orange, red and yellow. If you have good gardening skills, you can grow your own parrot's beak flowers in your garden.
Timing
Because the parrot's beak is a native tropical flower, the ideal time to plant it in a garden is anywhere from April through June. It tends to thrive in the summer, from June through the month of September and is relatively easy to plant. Parrot's beak plants require a good amount of compost material or mulch in its soil, although the actual pH requirements in the soil is basically unknown. One part perlite is a good option for an addition to the soil.
Location
When you plant your flowers, make sure to choose a location that receives a fair amount of sunlight but that is also partly shady. The plant is thankfully drought-tolerant, so it will do well during times of extreme dryness. It can thrive in growing zones 9 through 11 and will grow anywhere from two to three feet in height if properly maintained in the garden.
Maintenance
Generally speaking, it should take several months before you see the parrot's beak flower beginning to bloom. The plant will require a few months of growing, so it is a good idea to begin growing them indoors as a houseplant if your season is too short. When transplanting this type of plant, you should make sure to water it well to keep the soil compact and moist.
As for fertilizing the parrot's beak, you should use a good, general purpose fertilizer. If you notice that some of the leaves are beginning to grow yellow and fall off, it means you are giving the plant too much fertilizer. However, it could also signify that you are over- or underwatering it. Make sure to keep the soil moist, but never overly wet.
