Photo: Angélica BlancoCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Parrot Lily Plant Care
Alstroemeria psittacina Lehm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's striking red and green variegated leaves make it unmistakable in any garden. Hailing from South America, Alstroemeria psittacina's unique appearance has made it a sought-after addition for plant collectors looking to add a touch of exotic beauty to their collection.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Parrot Lily?
Water Parrot Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Parrot Lily?
Parrot Lily (Alstroemeria psittacina) belongs to the Alstroemeriaceae family within the Alstroemeria genus. Parrot Lily is native to cerrado and pantanal vegetation in Brazil and Argentina. Parrot Lily is also known as Parrot Flower, Peruvian Lily.
Parrot Lily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Parrot Lily produces colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Parrot Lily?
Alstroemeria psittacina requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Parrot Lily Need?
Parrot Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Parrot Lily Prefer?
Alstroemeria psittacina grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Parrot Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Parrot Lily?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Parrot Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Parrot Lily?
Feed Parrot Lily every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Parrot Lily?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Parrot Lily?
Parrot Lily can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to peruvian lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Parrot Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Parrot Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Parrot Lily?
Parrot Lily is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Parrot Lily Need?
Parrot Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Parrot Lily is native to cerrado and pantanal vegetation in Brazil and Argentina.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Parrot Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Alstroemeria genus — compare its care with other Alstroemeria species on PlantoScan.
Alstroemeria is part of the Alstroemeriaceae plant family — browse all Alstroemeriaceae genera and species.
Parrot Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Alstroemeria psittacina Lehm., family Alstroemeriaceae (first published in Index Seminum (HBG, Hamburgensis) 1826: 17 (1826)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Parrot Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Angélica Blanco, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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