Alstroemeria prefers full sunlight but can be grown in light shade. Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrids) also known as Peruvian Lilies, Lily of the Incas, Princess Lilies, Parrot Beak is a tuberous rooted herbaceous perennial. You may also enjoy the following Peruvian plant growing guides: How to grow Apple of Peru and Mirabilis. This fungal disease, also know as gray mold, makes itself known by fluffy, gray or brown spores on the leaves. Here’s how: Instead of cutting stems at random places with shears, pluck each one at its base, close to the rootstock, to encourage the growth of new shoots. Whenever I start plants from seed, I like to sprout them indoors in egg cartons or seed starting containers. In the hottest and driest districts, plant it in dappled shade. Some folks plant seed instead, but often it fails to germinate. Remove and dispose of any plant debris. This species will appreciate some staking, and may overwinter as far north as Zone 6. Once picked, Peruvian lily lasts a good two weeks in water. Though you will probably have to cut some of the roots to disentangle them, if you do this carefully and do your best to avoid damaging the root structure significantly, you should be able to restore them to health over the winter. Plant them 6 inches deep in pots or 12 to 18 inches apart in rows. Hi Nan, it says the Peruvian Lillies are toxic to digest – but is it toxic to be used in any skin care products? In some regions, like southern California, many plants have jumped bed and border perimeters to naturalize in the wild. Be very careful not to disturb the delicate roots. Hi Kathy, Hi, can you recommend sources for 2-3 foot alstromeria seeds or bulbs in vibrant colors like Sunkist orange, pink, etc? Peruvian lilies are often available as tubers, which resemble the tubers of dahlias. Another possibility is ‘Indian Summer,’ also available at Burpee. This fungus thrives in heavy, wet soils. See our TOS for more details. Excess winter wet can cause the fleshy roots to rot, so ensure border plants are growing in free-draining soil. Alstroemeria Peruvian Lily plants are tuberous rooted perennials with bright green, lance shaped foliage that grow 2-3 feet tall. It has bright yellow and red bicolored blooms, and variegated leaves. If you find it necessary to re-pot, choose a container with ample drainage holes. The purple shades are very pretty, and can be challenging to find. While this does no long-term harm to the plant, it does take several weeks for the plants to recover. These tubers allow the plants to store up nutrients and water for times of need. The soil should be well drained and humus rich; it is important that the soil is well broken and aired prior to planting. ‘Summer Breeze’ is a marvel, with its orange-yellow blossoms and variegated foliage. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu and Mike Quinn. Alstroemeria is also called Peruvian lily. It is best to sow Peruvian lily just below the soil surface, with a spacing of 35 to 50 cm (14 to 20 inches) in the early spring. How to grow Alstroemeria from seed: Alstroemeria are undoubtedly one of the most ornamental of all late summer flowering plants however they are comparatively expensive to other herbaceous plants and almost always only available as pot grown stock. Three fungus diseases are the most common including: Botrytis blight, Rhizoctonia root rot, and Pythium root rot. It’s 30 inches tall by 24 inches wide at maturity, and winter hardy to Zone 6. Thank you in advance. No new sprigs or flowers. All alstroemerias like good living, so give them plenty of organic matter at their roots. I have a beautiful yellow lily that I would like to divide but I didn’t see anything about dividing plants. This one has yellow, orange, and red flowers. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Alstroemeria’s vigorous roots produce “colonies” of plants. Hardiness varies so new alstroemeria plants should be established in early summer and planted deeply to a depth of six to eight inches and 24 inches apart. Space alstroemeria about 18-24 inches apart. Place your pots in a cool location with filtered sunlight, and water often enough to keep the soil from completely drying out. 2. Ensure you plant in well-draining soil, and avoid overwatering. Allow one to two feet of space per plant. If you are in a fringe zone, pack some mulch around your plants and they may surprise you by holding up just fine. Tall varieties may need staking if they are in a particularly windy spot. Use 1 to 2 cups for each 25-foot row. Wilted leaves and stems, and stunted growth are symptoms of Phythium. Though it is most often propagated through root division, with a good deal of patience it can be grown from seed. If your plants do develop symptoms consistent with a virus, remove and dispose of all affected plants. Place the tuberous rootstock on the mound and cover it with earth. If the plants are otherwise healthy, I would guess that you are growing the more compact cultivars. Botrytis blight is hard to stop once it gets established. Photos by Allison Sidhu © Ask the Experts, LLC. Keep feeding them throughout their growing season, and be careful not to let them get too dry. If the root rot continues to spread, remove and dispose of the infected plants. The common names for the half hardy perennial Alstroemeria include Peruvian lily and Lily of the incas and lily of Peru. Would you like to make your own centerpieces for dinner parties? They do solo in the winter. You may divide plants in spring to thin them out, make new plants for other locations, share with friends, or all three! How to Grow Peruvian Lilies . How to plant and grow alstroemeria 1. Or, you could dig up the roots, brush off the soil, and cut away the foliage. Hi Pam – What a lovely garden you must have! When spring returns and the frost warnings have passed, divide large clumps of rootstock as desired. Digging small trenches along the side of flower beds may also help to drain excess water away. I hesitate to pull it out as it will surely disturb the roots… What do you suggest? Plant in the spring, after soil temperatures reach the 60s. Henkkas / Pixabay. It’s been moved from Chula Vista, CA to Banning, CA to now Fallbrook, CA. What is Alstroemeria? Rhizoctonia solani, the fungus responsible for this form of root rot, attacks during the warmer weather of midsummer by invading at the soil line and transmitting through the stems. As highlighted in “A Note of Caution,” Peruvian lily contains toxins. The spores attack the roots of plants by dissolving the outer cortical layer which leads to decay and blackening of the root. Alstroemeria Growing Guide. I love these plants. Here’s a tip: If you’re in for an unusually hot spell, water well and mound mulch around your plants to help keep the ground cool. A Note of Caution: You should always wear gloves when handling this plant. You should have few disease and pest issues although there are a few to keep an eye out for. To ensure the growth of a healthy flower from the start, use a solid base fertilizer when planting the alstroemeria. Alstroemeria plants shipped intact respond to this with wilted and yellowing leaves. */. You see, in nature, seed dries out completely and then undergoes a period of wetness, cold, and tumbling about all winter long. This allows the plants to deal with drought and other stressful periods better than most. Hi Michelle – With wit and hopefully some wisdom, she shares what she’s learned and is always ready to dig into a new project! When growing indoors prior to planting out in the spring it is best to grow the plants for 7 to 9 weeks in peat pots. Hi Nan! It is planted in a pot. Sturdy stems support hefty clusters of vividly-colored petals that are often striated or flecked by contrasting colors. Originally published on January 18th, 2019. The plants I get locally are not growing more than a foot tall. Time to bring my alstroemeria inside for the winter. If you notice these symptoms quickly enough, you can successfully treat it by improving the drainage of your soil. It is in my basement for the winter. Alstroemeria plants are fairly easy to take care of: they require feeding in the late winter, and should be staked. Remember to disinfect any tools that you might have used with bleach water to prevent the spread of this disease. Hi Dorene – An assortment of dwarf varieties along a border, tall specimens to anchor the back of a bed, or maybe both? Tamp the soil down gently to secure the rootstock in place, water, and tamp down again. This year I dug up my new plant, trimmed it to about 3 inches and planted it in peat moss in a clay pot and sprinkled lightly with water. There are about 80 species native to South America, with the greatest diversity in Chile. Alstroemeria is a beautiful, striking plant that is related to the lily (in fact its common name is Peruvian Lily).Originating from South America, they produce spectacular blooms that are bursting with colour, and look attractive both as cut flowers or growing outside in the garden. Never let it dry out completely. The only pink cultivar they carry is a compact one, that tops out at about a foot tall. Enjoy all the colors of a summer sunset with the golden-hued petals and bronze foliage of ‘Indian Summer.’ This 30-inch-tall, 24-inch-wide stunner that’s winter hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 6. Most of the species are perennial, and they grow year-round in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 10. Pink with gold and maroon dots and dashes, ‘Colorita Elaine’ is a dwarf variety that reaches a height of 14 inches at maturity. To have one potted for 17 years is amazing! Fertilize your alstroemeria in early spring with a 5–10–10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer. This serves two purposes: the water stays clean longer, and the flowers receive more hydration. Be cautious, however, as improperly cutting Alstroemeria plants can diminish blooming and kill the vegetative stems. If there are stems or shoots, they should be upright and visible above the ground. If these measures don’t stop the spread of the disease, you may be forced to remove and dispose of the affected plants. If aphids, spider mites, or white flies appear, it’s probably as a result of either overwatering or not watering often enough, and the stress both can cause. COPYRIGHT © 2021 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Alstroemeria tubers can be planted in the spring, early summer, or fall, depending on your climate. Unpot the plant and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root growth. Alstroemeria is prized by professionals and amateurs alike because of its striking, azalea-like blossoms. Peruvian lily does best in the garden. Available for Kindle (MOBI), iPad (ePub) and as a PDF. These plants take time to establish. To prevent this disease, ensure that you plant in well-draining soil. Water Requirements – This is a plant that likes a lot of water. Let’s find out all we can and then see where to buy some of our own. The care this plant requires is well worth the effort when you see those gorgeous blooms opening to the sun. Easy! It is advisable to soak the tubers for 24 hours before you plant them. They also make long-lasting cut flowers. Press soil down firmly with your hand. Tuck the plants in and tamp down the soil to remove any air pockets. Plant them, gradually move indoor containers outside to harden off, and resume regular watering with good drainage at this time. Several mosaic viruses are also a threat to your Peruvian lilies. Mosaic viruses, spread by aphids and thrips can also attack Alstroemeria. I live in Buffalo, NY and winters are sometimes harsh. If you choose to start alstroemerias from seeds, soak the seeds overnight and start them in seed starting trays. Thanks Tammy! Can Peruvian lillies be divided like hostas? Scarify by rubbing the surface slightly with an emery board. When your plants are well established, they will begin to “colonize,” forming numerous mounds along a series of fleshy rhizomes. Alstroemeria, also called Peruvian lily, is a wonderful cut flower and lasts up to two weeks in a vase. As for drying, you may try suspending stems upside down in a warm, dry place, or pressing them. When your seedlings are about two inches tall, transplant them outdoors to the garden or a container with good drainage holes, and remember – pots dry out a lot faster than the ground. Alstroemeria heights vary from 15 cm – 1.4 meters tall, depending on cultivar, situation and light intensity. In most situations, the plant will grow best in partial sun that keeps the air between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I loved your article on Peruvian lilies! Alstroemerias are low maintenance, long lived plants that are prized for their usability in cut flower bouquets. Mosaic viruses such as these are not treatable. Alstroemeria prefers full sunlight but can be grown in light shade. To grow this prolific bloomer, find a sunny to partly shady location. Water well. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Uncredited photos via Shutterstock. Wouldn't it be great if there were a way to fast track that recovery, so you could get a jump on the growth and blooms of alstroemeria in your garden? With a little mulch in winter, you may even have success in adjacent zones. 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