Hooked Parrot Pea Plant Care
Dillwynia uncinata (Turcz.) J.M.Black
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dillwynia uncinata, commonly known as silky parrot-pea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to southern Australia. It is an erect, spreading shrub with cylindrical leaves and yellow flowers with a red centre.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hooked Parrot Pea?
Plant Hooked Parrot Pea in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hooked Parrot Pea Native To?
What Is the Hooked Parrot Pea?
Hooked Parrot Pea (Dillwynia uncinata) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Dillwynia genus. Hooked Parrot Pea is native to southern Australia.
Hooked Parrot Pea displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Hooked Parrot Pea produces showy pea-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hooked Parrot Pea?
Water a young or newly planted Hooked Parrot Pea every 7–14 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Hooked Parrot Pea Need?
Hooked Parrot Pea thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hooked Parrot Pea Prefer?
Dillwynia uncinata tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Hooked Parrot Pea prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hooked Parrot Pea?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hooked Parrot Pea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hooked Parrot Pea?
Feed Hooked Parrot Pea 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Hooked Parrot Pea?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Hooked Parrot Pea is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Hooked Parrot Pea?
Hooked Parrot Pea 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.
How Do You Prune a Hooked Parrot Pea?
Prune Hooked Parrot Pea 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.
How Do You Care for a Hooked Parrot Pea in Winter?
Hooked Parrot Pea is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Hooked Parrot Pea?
Hooked Parrot Pea can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to prickly parrot pea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hooked Parrot Pea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hooked Parrot Pea, 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 Hooked Parrot Pea?
Hooked Parrot Pea is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. 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 Hooked Parrot Pea Need?
Hooked Parrot Pea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hooked Parrot Pea is native to southern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Hooked Parrot Pea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Hooked Parrot Pea 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 Dillwynia genus — compare its care with other Dillwynia species on PlantoScan.
Dillwynia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Hooked Parrot Pea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Dillwynia Species
Other Dillwynia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dillwynia uncinata (Turcz.) J.M.Black, family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. S. Austral. : 303 (1924)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hooked Parrot Pea, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
