Capitate Bird's Beak Plant Care

Capitate Bird's Beak (Cordylanthus capitatus) belongs to the Orobanchaceae family within the Cordylanthus genus.

Capitate Bird's Beak displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Capitate Bird's Beak produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Capitate Bird's Beak every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Capitate Bird's Beak thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cordylanthus capitatus tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Capitate Bird's Beak prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Capitate Bird's Beak to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Capitate Bird's Beak every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Capitate Bird's Beak is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Capitate Bird's Beak can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Capitate Bird's Beak while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Capitate Bird's Beak is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Capitate Bird's Beak can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to desert bird's beak plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Capitate Bird's Beak is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Capitate Bird's Beak grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Capitate Bird's Beak as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.