Parrot flower is an herbaceous perennial in the Alstroemeriaceae family and is native to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. It has been widely grown as ornamental. It has escaped cultivation and spread to New Zealand, Wales, Australia, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Southeastern USA. It is now found in TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, and FL Parrot lily grows in dense clumps that expand by tubers. 5-7 showy flowers top 2-3 foot stems in mid-summer to early fall. They do best in well-drained moist soil but are somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Plant in full to partial sun. The tubers can survive temperatures of 5-10 F in winter with mulch. In colder regions, this plant can be grown in a pot and brought indoors for winter. Use this plant in containers, borders, cutting gardens, pollinator gardens or planted in masse. It is low-maintenance once established and hummingbirds and bees are attracted to the blooms Propagation can be done by seeds or division of tubers. Divide tubers in winter or very early spring. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally problem free but slugs can occur. Considered a weed in New South Wales and parts of Australia. Spreads faster in warm climates that cooler ones. More information on Alstroemeria .
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)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Lance-shaped leaves with acute to obtuse tips and a narrow base. 2-4 inches long and 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches wide
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Good Cut; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
5-9 tubular flowers on top of tall stems are red on the outside with green edging at the tips. The inside is mottled with dark red to brown markings. Blooms mid-summer to early fall. Individual flowers are 1-2 inches long
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Angular roundish capsule with ribs have dark brown seeds
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Tall mottled leafy stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
Distribution
Spread to New Zealand, Wales, Australia, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Southeastern USA in TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, and FL
Wildlife value
Hummingbirds and bees visit the flowers
Attracts
Bees; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Patio; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Children's Garden; Cutting Garden; Pollinator Garden