50+ Flowers For Parrots

I’ve compiled a list of flowers commonly used as food or teas in the table below. You may be wondering whether these are safe for birds or not. Based on whatever we know of today regarding the flowers, I’ve tried to indicate the relative safety of the flowers in one of the columns.

As with everything, please use this information with caution and don’t hesitate to do further reading up on each of the flowers to be absolutely sure. If you still have any doubt (avian nutrition is after all, a relatively recent field and we’re still trying to learn more about it everyday), the best would be to NOT use the flower in question.

And since I have Chinese heritage and part of a French family, I’ve also decided to put in the Chinese and French names of these flowers! I hope that this will help more people along the way. Let me know in the comments whether it’s helpful for you or not!

If you have discovered errors in the information, please drop me a note so that I can rectify it!

How to use flowers in your parrot’s diet

Flowers can be used fresh or dried, and there are different ways you can use them.

Many dried flowers can be steeped into tea, just be sure to let the tea cool down first before offering it to your parrots!

I also use dried flowers as foraging materials, which I scatter all over foraging trays for them to hunt for their favorite seeds.

Fresh flowers can also be used for foraging and some birds might like the nectar.

Regardless whether you use fresh or dried flowers, ensure that you clear them away regularly so that they do not rot and grow moldy.

Flower Name	Chinese Name	French Name	Scientific Name	Safe for Parrots	Key Nutritional Benefits
Angelica	当归 (dāng guī)	Angélique	Angelica archangelica	Yes	High in vitamins and minerals, supports digestion
Anise hyssop	洋茴香薄荷 (yáng huí xiāng bò hé)	Agastache fenouil	Agastache foeniculum	Yes	Contains antioxidants, supports digestive health
Apple blossom	苹果花 (píng guǒ huā)	Fleur de pommier	Malus domestica	Yes	Contains vitamins A and C, beneficial for skin health
Basil flower	罗勒花 (luó lè huā)	Fleur de basilic	Ocimum basilicum	Yes	Rich in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties
Bee balm	蜂香草 (fēng xiāng cǎo)	Monarde	Monarda spp.	Yes	Contains vitamins A and C, supports respiratory health
Bitter orange blossom	苦橙花 (kǔ chéng huā)	Fleur d’oranger amer	Citrus aurantium	Yes	Rich in flavonoids, supports digestive health
Borage	琉璃苣 (liú lí jù)	Bourrache	Borago officinalis	Yes	High in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), supports skin and joint health
Butterfly pea flower	蝴蝶豌豆花 (hú dié wān dòu huā)	Pois bleu papillon	Clitoria ternatea	Yes	Rich in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties
Calendula (marigold)	金盏花 (jīn zhǎn huā)	Souci	Calendula officinalis	Yes	High in flavonoids and carotenoids, supports skin health and wound healing
Carnation	康乃馨 (kāng nǎi xīn)	Œillet	Dianthus caryophyllus	Safe in moderation. Do not feed dyed varieties of carnation.	Contains vitamins and minerals, supports skin and digestive health
Chamomile	洋甘菊 (yáng gān jú)/春黄菊 (chūn huáng jú)	Camomille	Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) or Chamaemelum nobile (Roman chamomile)	Safe in moderation	Contains antioxidants that aid in treating infections and lessening swelling. Supports relaxation and digestive health
Chrysanthemum	菊花 (jú huā)	Chrysanthème	Chrysanthemum spp.	Safe in moderation	Rich in vitamins and minerals, supports eye health
Cilantro flower	香菜花 (xiāng cài huā)	Fleur de coriandre	Coriandrum sativum	Yes	Contains vitamins A, C, and K, supports detoxification
Citrus blossom	柑橘花 (gān jú huā)	Fleur d’agrumes	Citrus spp.	Yes	High in antioxidants, supports immune health
Cornflower	矢车菊 (shǐ chē jú)	Bleuet	Centaurea cyanus	Yes	Contains anthocyanins, supports urinary and digestive health
Daisy	雏菊 (chú jú)	Marguerite	Bellis perennis	Safe in moderation	Contains vitamins A and C, supports skin health
Dandelion	蒲公英 (pú gōng yīng)	Pissenlit	Taraxacum officinale	Yes	High in vitamins A, C, and K, supports liver and digestive health
Daylilies	萱草 (xuān cǎo)	Hémérocalle	Hemerocallis spp.	Yes	Contains vitamins A and C, supports immune health
Echinacea	紫锥花 (zǐ zhuī huā)	Échinacée	Echinacea spp.	Yes	Contains antioxidants, supports immune health
Elderflower	接骨木花 (jiē gǔ mù huā)	Fleur de sureau	Sambucus nigra	Safe in moderation	Rich in flavonoids, supports immune health
Fennel flower	茴香花 (huí xiāng huā)	Fleur de fenouil	Foeniculum vulgare	Yes	Contains antioxidants, supports digestive health
Forsythia	连翘 (lián qiào)	Forsythia	Forsythia spp.	Yes	Contains antiviral properties, supports respiratory health
Fuchsia	吊钟花 (diào zhōng huā)	Fuchsia	Fuchsia spp.	Yes	High in antioxidants, supports immune health
Geranium	天竺葵 (tiān zhú kuí)	Géranium	Pelargonium spp.	Safe in moderation	Contains antioxidants, supports skin health
Gladiolus	剑兰 (jiàn lán)	Glaïeul	Gladiolus spp.	Safe in moderation	High in vitamins and minerals, supports immune health
Globe amaranth	千日红 (qiān rì hóng)	Amarante globuleuse	Gomphrena globosa	Yes	Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, supports eye health
Hibiscus	木槿花 (mù jǐn huā)/芙蓉花 (fú róng huā)	Hibiscus	Hibiscus spp.	Yes	High in antioxidants, supports heart health
Honeysuckle	忍冬花 (rěn dōng huā)/金银花(jīn yín huā)	Chèvrefeuille	Lonicera spp.	Safe in moderation	Contains antioxidants, supports immune health
Jasmine	茉莉花 (mò lì huā)	Jasmin	Jasminum spp.	Yes – only the flowers, not jasmine tea, as it contains caffeine	High in antioxidants, supports relaxation
Lavender	薰衣草 (xūn yī cǎo)	Lavande	Lavandula spp.	Yes	Contains antioxidants, supports relaxation and skin health
Lemon balm	柠檬香蜂草 (níng méng xiāng fēng cǎo)	Mélisse	Melissa officinalis	Yes	Rich in antioxidants, supports digestive and mental health
Lemon myrtle	柠檬香桃木 (níng méng xiāng táo mù)	Myrte citronnée	Backhousia citriodora	Yes	High in antioxidants, supports respiratory and immune health
Lemon verbena	柠檬马鞭草 (níng méng mǎ biān cǎo)	Verveine citronnelle	Aloysia citrodora	Safe in moderation	Contains antioxidants, supports digestive health
Lilac	丁香花 (dīng xiāng huā)	Lilas	Syringa vulgaris	Yes	High in antioxidants, supports immune health
Lily	百合花 (bǎi hé huā)	Lys	Lilium spp.	No	Some species can be toxic to birds
Lotus flower	莲花 (lián huā)	Fleur de lotus	Nelumbo nucifera	Yes	Rich in vitamins and minerals, supports digestive health
Magnolia (yulan)	玉兰花 (yù lán huā)	Magnolia	Magnolia denudata	Yes	Contains antioxidants, supports respiratory health
Mexican marigold	墨西哥万寿菊 (mò xī gē wàn shòu jú)	Tagète	Tagetes erecta	Yes	Rich in antioxidants, supports skin health
Mint flower	薄荷花 (bò hé huā)	Fleur de menthe	Mentha spp.	Yes	Contains vitamins and minerals, supports digestive health
Monk fruit / luohanguo flower	罗汉果花 (luó hàn guǒ huā)	Fleur de fruit moine	Siraitia grosvenorii	Yes	Contains antioxidants, supports respiratory and digestive health
Nasturtium	旱金莲 (hàn jīn lián)	Capucine	Tropaeolum majus	Yes	High in vitamin C, supports immune health
Osmanthus	桂花 (guì huā)	Osmanthe	Osmanthus fragrans	Yes	Rich in antioxidants, supports respiratory health
Pansy	三色堇 (sān sè jǐn)	Pensée	Viola tricolor var. hortensis	Yes	High in vitamins A and C, supports skin health
Passion flower (passion fruit flower)	西番莲 (xī fān lián)	Fleur de la passion/Passiflore	Passiflora edulis	In moderation – only flowers and fruits. Leaves and stems may contain cyanide. Certain species of Passiflora may be toxic.	Has calming, anti-anxiety and analgesic properties
Pea blossom	豌豆花 (wān dòu huā)	Fleur de pois	Pisum sativum	Yes	Contains vitamins and minerals, supports digestive health
Peach blossom	桃花 (táo huā)	Fleur de pêcher	Prunus persica	Yes	High in vitamins A and C, supports immune health
Poppy	罂粟花 (yīng sù huā)	Coquelicot	Papaver spp.	No	Can be toxic to birds
Primrose	报春花 (bào chūn huā)	Primevère	Primula vulgaris	Yes	Contains vitamins and minerals, supports skin health
Red clover	红三叶草 (hóng sān yè cǎo)/红车轴 (hóng chē zhóu)	Trèfle rouge	Trifolium pratense	Yes	High in vitamins and minerals, supports respiratory and digestive health
Rose	玫瑰花 (méi guī huā)	Rose	Rosa spp.	Yes	High in vitamins C and A, supports skin and immune health
Rose hips	玫瑰果 (méi guī guǒ)	Cynorhodon	Rosa spp.	Yes	Very high in vitamin C, supports immune health
Rosemary flower	迷迭香花 (mí dié xiāng huā)	Fleur de romarin	Salvia rosmarinus	Yes	Rich in antioxidants, supports cognitive health
Sage flower	鼠尾草花 (shǔ wěi cǎo huā)	Fleur de sauge	Salvia officinalis	Safe in moderation	Contains vitamins and antioxidants, supports digestive health
Snapdragon	金鱼草 (jīn yú cǎo)	Muflier	Antirrhinum majus	Yes	Contains vitamins and minerals, supports digestive health
Squash blossom	南瓜花 (nán guā huā)	Fleur de courge	Cucurbita pepo	Yes	High in vitamins A and C, supports immune health
Strawflowers	麦秆菊 (mài gǎn jú)/七彩菊 (qī cǎi jú)	Immortelle	Xerochrysum bracteatum	Yes	High in antioxidants, supports immune health
Sunflower	向日葵 (xiàng rì kuí)	Tournesol	Helianthus annuus	Yes	Rich in vitamins and minerals, supports skin and cardiovascular health
Viola	三色堇 (sān sè jǐn)	Pensée	Viola tricolor var. hortensis	Yes	High in vitamins A and C, supports skin health
Violet	紫罗兰 (zǐ luó lán)	Violette	Viola odorata	Yes	Contains vitamins and antioxidants, supports immune and skin health