Peruvian lilies, also known as Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas, are a hardy perennial plant native to South America. They have a clumping growth habit and typically grow up to 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) in height, with some varieties reaching up to 5 feet (1.5 meters). In early summer, they produce flowers in various colors, including pink, orange, red, yellow, white, and purple.
The Peruvian Lily is known for its vibrant, lily-like blooms and long-lasting cut flowers. They can grow late into the year in zones 8-10 or other zones with the right conditions. In borderline zones, mulch can be applied to protect the plants over winter.
Plants of this genus grow from a cluster of tubers and send up fertile and sterile stems, with some species reaching 1.5 meters. Dwarf forms, also called “micro Alstroemeria”, are generally under a foot tall. The bloom time is between 1 ft. 0 in. – 4 ft. 0 in. and width between 1 ft. 0 in. – 2 ft. 0 in.
Periodically, Peruvian lilies form upright green stems from 3 feet tall all the way down to 8-inch dwarfs. There are many different varieties of Alstroemerias, from low dwarf varieties that reach 30cm to tall varieties that need stakes. Ideally, plant alstroemerias in spring so they can settle in before flowering, spacing them 60 cm apart. For cut flowers, grow alstroemerias in zones 8-10 or other suitable conditions.
📹 How to Grow Peruvian Lily| Alstroemeria | Propagation & Tips for More Blooms
How to Grow Peruvian Lily AKA Alstroemeria In this video I show you how to grow Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily), including how to …
How big do Alstroemeria get?
Alstroemerias, a perennial plant, can grow up to 1m tall and can be used in borders or containers. They produce colorful flowers from early summer to frost, and are hardy and easy to grow. They bloom from early summer to late autumn and require sun or partial shade. They can be planted in spring or autumn and are suitable for borders and containers. They also make long-lasting cut flowers. It is important to read the instruction labels on your plants to ensure proper care and care for the plant.
Is Peruvian lily invasive?
Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas, is a perennial plant native to South America, particularly Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Its trumpet-like flowers are a striking beauty, and it grows from tuberous roots that gradually increase its size each year. Alstroemeria has a clumping growth habit and typically grows to 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) in height. Its flowers are vibrant, 2 inches across, and come in various colors, with each bloom featuring six petals.
The flowers bloom from early summer to early autumn, providing a long-lasting display. The foliage of Alstroemeria is dark green, lance-shaped leaves that are somewhat twisted, adding to its charm even when not in bloom. Most Alstroemeria varieties can withstand USDA zones 7 to 10. Alstroemeria is primarily used in borders, containers, or cut flower gardens due to their longevity as cut flowers. It attracts bees and butterflies, and deer and rabbits may find it a tasty treat. However, it can be slightly invasive in some areas due to its tendency to spread via underground rhizomes.
Are Peruvian lilies annual or perennial?
Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian lily or Lily of the Incas, is a hardy perennial from South America known for its vivid summer blooms. Originating from midsummer to mid-autumn, it blooms in various colors, including red, orange, purple, pink, yellow, and softer shades of pink and white. These flowers are borne in clusters on stout leafy stems and are attractively patterned inside. Alstroemeria is popular as a cut flower due to its long-lasting blooms.
It has been a popular garden border plant due to its hardiness and easy growth. Recently, plant breeders have introduced new varieties with a wider color range and longer flowering qualities, making them suitable for pots. Alstroemeria is a hardy herbaceous perennial, meaning it dies back to the ground each winter. To grow alstroemerias, plant them in spring and space them 60 cm apart.
How long will Alstroemeria last?
The Alstroemeria cut flower has a vase life of approximately one week, with each stem exhibiting blooms for up to two weeks. The flower is particularly susceptible to ethylene, which can result in flower drop and the formation of transparent petals. The flowers are characterized by a trumpet-shaped morphology.
Do Peruvian-Lilies do well in pots?
Peruvian lily, a compact variety, is ideal for growing in containers, either alone or in mixed arrangements. Choose a pot slightly wider and deeper than the plant’s root system, with drainage holes in the bottom to prevent soil flooding. Fill the container with a high-quality all-purpose potting mix and tuck the plant in, ensuring the top of the rootball sits about an inch below the rim. Backfill with more potting mix, firming it around the plant.
Alstroemeria thrives in consistent moisture, but they cannot tolerate soggy soil. Provide about an inch of water per week during dry spells and water container-grown plants whenever the top inch feels dry. Amend the soil with compost at planting time to improve drainage and add nutrients, and apply mulch around the root zone to keep the soil moist and protect roots from temperature extremes.
Do Peruvian lilies like full sun?
Peruvian lilies flourish in environments with ample morning sunlight and partial to complete shade. They require fertile, well-drained, and moist soils with excellent drainage capabilities to thrive. Additionally, they are capable of withstanding winter conditions in zones 7-10.
Do Peruvian lilies spread?
Peruvian lilies, also known as lilies of the Incas, are flowering perennial tuberous plants from mountain regions of South America. They are similar to lilies but not true lilies. These plants produce beautiful flowers that can last for weeks in a vase. They require about an inch of water per week, rich, well-draining soil, and full sun, although they need some shade from the sun. Peruvian lilies are toxic to people but non-toxic to pets.
Are Peruvian-Lilies male or female?
Alstroemeria plants have a unique biology, with both female and male parts in their flowers. This could lead to self-pollination, which is better for plant health, genetic diversity, and seed production. However, these plants have adapted to cross-pollination using a mechanism called ‘Dichogamy’, which varies the maturity time between male and female parts to limit self-pollination. Alstroemeria plants also serve as weed suppressors, as they can help reduce the growth of weeds in gardens by allowing them to grow as they please. This adaptation allows plants to thrive in various environments, promoting overall plant health and vigor.
Are lilies safe to touch?
Lilium sp. and Hemerocallis sp. are authentic lily plants that have the potential to induce significant toxicity and acute kidney injury (AKI). Pollen exposure alone has been demonstrated to cause acute kidney injury (AKI). A study revealed that 73 cat owners who had been exposed to lilies were unaware of the toxic effects of the plant. To identify lilies with renal toxicity, observe for indications such as glandular enlargement, organ distension, and urethral dilation.
How do you keep Peruvian lilies blooming?
To maintain a steady flower crop, gently pull the stem up from the base instead of snipping them off. This encourages new stem growth and another flush of blooms. In spring, tidy up the plants by pulling out old stems to make room for new growth. Propagating Alstroemeria is easy, but germination rates may be low. In climates where Alstroemeria aren’t winter hardy, overwinter the tubers indoors by digging them up in the fall after the first frost, packing the roots between layers of peat moss, sawdust, or wood shavings, and storing them in a cool place between 35° to 45°F.
How toxic are Peruvian lilies?
Peruvian lilies, native to South America, are commonly used in bouquets and may cause stomach upset, but are not expected to cause life-threatening organ damage. Peace lilies, with large, green leaves and a distinct flower shape, are commonly found as house plants. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral pain, drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. Although they are toxic, they rarely cause serious or life-threatening problems.
Lily of the valley, with small, bell-shaped flowers, are not commonly used in bouquets or house plants. They are toxic and can cause serious poisonings, including stomach upset and irregular heartbeat. These lilies are not commonly found in the U. S.
📹 How to Grow Peruvian Lilies (Alstroemeria) in the Garden || Quick & Easy Guide
In this video I explain how to grow lily of the Incas in your garden. ✿My Books …
Absolutely love these flowers. They are usually so reasonably priced in the store for large bunches. The mass of single color arrangements (my preferred way with these flowers) in a vase is just something else. I have a yellow flowered bunch and a pink flowered bunch currently and they make me smile when I look at them. They really do last a long time. I tend to snip off the stamen tips so the pollen dust and the little seed heads (?) don’t end up falling off later and making a mess. Keeps them tidier and, anecdotally, keeps the blooms longer since there is no energy spent by the flowers to get the pollen out and seeds to drop. You are lucky to be able to grow these beauties!! xx
Hello, I just found your site looking for this exact plant that I fell in Love with a few years ago but it didn’t come up the next year. I was devastated! I’m going to continue to search for this particular one of the Alstroemeria. The Peruvian Lilly. My question to you is if I bring it in the house in the winter is there any way to get rid of the little bugs that seem to be crawling in the pot, soil, and around the plane base? Possibly anything in the plant itself? Second, do you know anywhere in the USA (I live in New Mexico) where I can purchase or order this plant? Thank you so much! First time here and will be a lifetime follower!
We just bought 2 5 gallon Alstromerias. Thanks for the article, it was very helpful! we are zone 10A in southern California, I’m going to try to find a place that has morning sun / afternoon shade and plant them today. I can’t wait to propogate them. Any idea how often they should be watered and how many galloons of water to give at a time, until they are established? and how long to get established? how do know you’ve given a plant an “inch” of water? thanks so much, love the articles! We also just planted a blood leaf.
Hi, I’m from Poland/Europe zone 6-7 At extreme we have in the summer up to +35°C (could be for a few days) average 20-25°C and in the winter extreme is -30°C (for a few days) avarage between +5°C and -5°C. My alstromeria is in the pot, for a winter will be hidden in a garage with a window, temperature inside will be around 8°C. Is my princess going to survive it? Should I remove/pluck out all foliage for the winter and leave roots in the soil and water it from time to time? I was removing foliage during summer vegetataion to encurage growth of roots and new stemps and it was working. What should I do for the winter? Regards!
These lilies are gorge. I have a love relationship with lilies. When next I travel to the USA I’ll sort some bulbs and try growing it in my homeland which is the Caribbean. I took notice of what one of the comments stated that she is from Virginia and she named a species that can grow in partial shade. I have the right area for it in my garden. Thanks once again for a very informative and beautiful garden article
This was very helpful information! I didn’t realize you should cut the stems below the ground when deadheading to stimulate new buds. If I divide my Peruvian lily plant in April, can I harvest blooms on the division that year or should I treat it like a new plant and not harvest from it the first year after division? Thanks!
I have just found Douentza Garden, and have learnt a lot about deadheading already. Many advice platforms say deadhead, but do not show you how for different plant varieties. I adore Alstroemeria plants, and your are absolutely beautiful and so plentiful, I have bought dozens of these over the last few years, but I have only been able to keep 2 over winter to flower again next year. I have clay soil and add lots of compost, fine tree bark, and grit to try and get good drainage before I plant them, but I still lose too many, and ideas? Lin in Uk zone 8 ish. In the meantime, I have lots of your articles to learn from!