Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrids) also known as Peruvian Lilies, Lily of the Incas, Princess Lilies, Parrot Beak is a tuberous rooted herbaceous perennial. Keep an insecticidal soap on hand, just in case, and apply according to the package instructions in the case of a large infestation. Mound the soil to promote drainage as you would to grow squash. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, she’s always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. Scarify by rubbing the surface slightly with an emery board. Pythium spp. Keep feeding them throughout their growing season, and be careful not to let them get too dry. Each new plant stem that grows shoots straight up from these tuberous roots. Deadhead spent flower stems to keep plants vigorous. If there are stems or shoots, they should be upright and visible above the ground. Never let it dry out completely. They do solo in the winter. 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. */. Why not start a cutting garden? Remember to disinfect any tools that you might have used with bleach water to prevent the spread of this disease. Place your pots in a cool location with filtered sunlight, and water often enough to keep the soil from completely drying out. And in addition to being gorgeous, the deep speckled throats of Alstroemeria attract beneficial pollinators, for a lively backyard habitat. You may divide plants in spring to thin them out, make new plants for other locations, share with friends, or all three! How to plant and grow alstroemeria 1. This will jump-start their germination process. Hi Nan, it says the Peruvian Lillies are toxic to digest – but is it toxic to be used in any skin care products? Maintain even moisture, but don’t let the soil get soggy. An assortment of dwarf varieties along a border, tall specimens to anchor the back of a bed, or maybe both? So, when it is first planted, the soil should remain wet. The plants benefit from deadheading but you may also want to try pruning Peruvian lilies to create shorter, less leggy stems. Uncredited photos via Shutterstock. Plant them 6 inches deep in pots or 12 to 18 inches apart in rows. Water well. Press soil down firmly with your hand. Hi Kathy, With a little luck and proper care, they should thrive after repotting since the roots will no longer be fighting for space, or reaching beyond their… Read more ». You should have few disease and pest issues although there are a few to keep an eye out for. It is in my basement for the winter. Hi Michelle – To replicate this natural process, you might try the following: As an alternative, you can also provide the necessary period of chilling indoors. Much appreciated for your response It is is over 17 years old. They are propagated by the division of their rootstock and bred this way so as not to become invasive. Are you ready to buy some Alstroemeria plants for your gardens or containers? Hi Sal – The Alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, is a long-lived, free-flowering perennial that originates from South America.They grow from tubers, and produce lots of colourful flowers from June through to the first winter frosts on stems up to 1.2m tall, depending on the variety. 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. I tried to mulch and cover my Alstroemeria with a tent last winter and it did not make it. This will help prevent burning the plants and it will supply a continuous amount of … If you are under-watering, yellowing leaves will be an early warning sign for you to resume irrigation and ward off pests and vulnerability to disease. Make sure the ground is prepared with good compost. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Can Peruvian lillies be divided like hostas? In the temperate zones favored by this plant, you may like the visual interest provided by foliage that lasts year-round. I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan zone 4. It contains levels of toxicity that may cause illness if ingested, or an allergic reaction with skin contact. I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Alstroemeria. Check out these beauties! If the root rot continues to spread, remove and dispose of the infected plants. Tuck the plants in and tamp down the soil to remove any air pockets. According to Julie Thompson-Adolph in her book Starting & Saving Seeds: Grow the Perfect Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, and Flowers for Your Garden, you can fill a bag or container with seed starting mix, moisten it, and add seeds that have been given plenty of time to fully dry. Given the right conditions, alstroemerias are easy to grow and rarely suffer from problems. At three feet tall, A. psittacina is a red and yellow beauty. It’s been moved from Chula Vista, CA to Banning, CA to now Fallbrook, CA. I live in Buffalo, NY and winters are sometimes harsh. Alstroemeria Peruvian Lily plants are tuberous rooted perennials with bright green, lance shaped foliage that grow 2-3 feet tall. Do you know if the plant can be dried out? Several mosaic viruses are also a threat to your Peruvian lilies. Or, you could dig up the roots, brush off the soil, and cut away the foliage. Princess lilies grow about six inches high and spread to a foot wide. A fun-fact about Peruvian Lily is that it naturally produces some stems that are purely vegetative (non-sexual), while others produce blossoms. The are several fungal diseases and mosaic viruses that can affect your 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. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } Place the tuberous rootstock on the mound and cover it with earth. Three fungus diseases are the most common including: Botrytis blight, Rhizoctonia root rot, and Pythium root rot. You can avoid this by “deadheading” spent blossoms to prevent seed fall. Does it need to be watered during this time. They typically flower in the summer, though some species can be earlier or later than this. If the plants are otherwise healthy, I would guess that you are growing the more compact cultivars. I love these plants. These tubers allow the plants to store up nutrients and water for times of need. Using a mixture of sand, perlite, and vermiculite is recommended, to promote drainage. Alstroemeria will grow in all kinds of soils as long as they are well-drained. Alstroemeria plants shipped intact respond to this with wilted and yellowing leaves. I must keep it alive as it is from my deceased mother and now my father in law. Thank you in advance. Tubers are brittle, so handle them carefully while planting. Place the tuberous rootstock on the mound and cover it with earth. Keep in mind that purchased seeds should come already stratified, and ready for planting. Use a slow-release fertilizer for best results. Prevent gray mold by spacing your plants to allow good air circulation and by watering around the base of the plants, rather than spraying their leaves and stems. Pink with gold and maroon dots and dashes, ‘Colorita Elaine’ is a dwarf variety that reaches a height of 14 inches at maturity. The trouble starts once it’s harvested from spent blossoms. Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian, parrot, or princess lily, as well as lily of the Incas, is an exceptional cutting garden flower in the Alstroemeriaceae family. Plant into a well-drained, medium to coarse-textured growing mix. Plant in the spring, after soil temperatures reach the 60s. If you notice these symptoms quickly enough, you can successfully treat it by improving the drainage of your soil. Alstroemeria bulbs planting instructions Well-drained soil Alstroemeria bulbs always appreciate good, well-drained soil. Help them along with regular watering and a periodic application of slow-release fertilizer. Alstroemeria can be grown from rhizomes instead of container plants, but the rhizomes must be handled carefully and planted immediately upon receiving them in early spring. If your plants do develop symptoms consistent with a virus, remove and dispose of all affected plants. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. It is advisable to soak the tubers for 24 hours before you plant them. Be cautious, however, as improperly cutting Alstroemeria plants can diminish blooming and kill the vegetative stems. It is planted in a pot. 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. It is part of the Alstroemeriaceae family which is native to … Be very careful not to disturb the delicate roots. When the plant begins to grow, it should be watered once a week. Here is more about what we do. Alstroemeria plants are fairly easy to take care of: they require feeding in the late winter, and should be staked. Choices abound when it comes to the vibrant color combinations of Peruvian lily, from 10-inch dwarf varieties to the renowned Ligtu hybrid series with specimens topping out as tall as five feet. Part of the series: Gardening & Pruning Tips. Grow alstroemeria from rhizomes or plants as seeds can be difficult to grow from. Another possibility is ‘Indian Summer,’ also available at Burpee. After about six weeks, you should have at least a few seedlings ready to transplant into containers or your garden. These can be divided in the spring- see our guide to dividing perennials for tips! The soil must… Read more ». Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. The root stock could then be stored in peat moss for the winter. Peruvian lilies have fleshy tubers which quickly spread to form clumps in the garden. As for drying, you may try suspending stems upside down in a warm, dry place, or pressing them. Plant rhizomes 8 inches deep in fall, and the plants will emerge the following spring. While this does no long-term harm to the plant, it does take several weeks for the plants to recover. This fungus thrives in heavy, wet soils. Try the sand and pebble method described above, or mix some pine bark into the soil. Henkkas / Pixabay. This serves two purposes: the water stays clean longer, and the flowers receive more hydration. Growing alstroemeria: problem solving. Do you have any recommendations to keep it thriving? Alstroemeria Growing Heights. Plants grow quickly in warm soil. There’s a band of leaves just beneath the blossoms, and then more alternating down the stem. 4. They also make long-lasting cut flowers. Botrytis blight is hard to stop once it gets established. There are about 80 species native to South America, with the greatest diversity in Chile. Spread the thin tubers over a mound of … Plant when temperatures do not exceed 68° F (20° C) daily. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu and Mike Quinn. Fertilize your alstroemeria in early spring with a 5–10–10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer. Many thanks for any advice. Originally published on January 18th, 2019. Man I am a big fan of all the ranges of purple colors. My first experience with it was using it as a filler flower among larger specimens in tall vases, as well as a stand-alone in small bud vases and bubble bowls. Choose one with a low nitrogen content to avoid a proliferation of foliage with few blooms. It has bright yellow and red bicolored blooms, and variegated leaves. Divide Alstroemeria during spring, summer or fall if an older plant begins to appear woody, overcrowded, or nonproductive. I think your instincts are right – don’t disturb the roots if you can avoid doing so. Use the plant tag as … 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. Alstroemeria’s vigorous roots produce “colonies” of plants. Being long-lived perennials, when planted in … 2. Plant alstroemerias in a sheltered site, in part shade or full sun, any time between May and August in good soil. Mound the soil to promote drainage as you would to grow squash. However, they don’t like to be disturbed, and you may end up breaking them. 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. Alstroemeria requires between two weeks and a year to germinate. What is Alstroemeria? Thanks to today’s hybrids and cultivars, there’s a rainbow of options available for the home gardener. How to Make Your Own Fresh Cut Flower Food, 11 Things to Do in the Garden Before Winter, How to Identify and Control Caraway Pests and Diseases, Problems with Growing Zucchini: Troubleshooting 11 Potential Issues, 9 of the Best Chard Varieties to Grow at Home, 15 of the Best Canning Tomatoes You Should Grow, How to Grow Beautiful and Productive Fig Trees, Promoting Pollination by Design: How to Attract Pollinators, Yellow, orange, salmon, pink, rose, purple, red, or white, Deer, rabbits, and other wildlife due to toxicity of vegetation, Aphids, spider mites, white flies, Botrytis blight, Rhizoctonia root rot, Pythium root rot, Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) mosaic virus. Whenever I start plants from seed, I like to sprout them indoors in egg cartons or seed starting containers. To prevent this disease, ensure that you plant in well-draining soil. Alstroemeria Growing Guide. 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. With larger pots and longer crop times, there is greater need for more perlite, pumice, coir, or bark in mix to avoid compaction and shrinkage of media. After planting, water your alstroemerias generously, soaking the soil to settle it around the root ball. Hi, can you recommend sources for 2-3 foot alstromeria seeds or bulbs in vibrant colors like Sunkist orange, pink, etc? And the best part – the blooming is continuous. It should not be ingested. Signs of the tomato spotted wilt virus include irregular lines developing on the leaves coupled with green, yellow, or white spots. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. If you are planting Peruvian lilies in the ground or … Alstroemeria are fairly large plants that should be grown in their own beds as they have invasive tendencies. 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? You may also dig tubers from the earth and bring them inside in pots of soil. Use 1 to 2 cups for each 25-foot row. The roots of the alstroemeria form tubers, which are a form of storage root. Alstroemeria is also called Peruvian lily. How to Grow Alstroemeria. Alstroemeria plants are generally free of attacks from mammals and other herbivores due to their semi-toxic leaves. Starting & Saving Seeds, available on Amazon. This species will appreciate some staking, and may overwinter as far north as Zone 6. Alstroemeria grows best when temperatures do not exceed 68° F (20° C) daily and range from 40 and 50° F (4 to 10° C) at night. The look on your best friend’s face when you present this gift will be well worth taking a picture of so you can make fun of the expression in the future. With such colourful and exotic flowers there is a temptation to regard them as tender greenhouse plants especially when viewing displays of cut flowers at the Chelsea Flower Show. Enrich it with compost and add a little sand if necessary. I turn the potted plants upside down and find a plastic drain device which the plant has wrapped and nearly consumed. As highlighted in “A Note of Caution,” Peruvian lily contains toxins. In most situations, the plant will grow best in partial sun that keeps the air between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Alstroemeria prefers full sunlight but can be grown in light shade. This one has yellow, orange, and red flowers. How to Grow Peruvian Lilies . When your plants are well established, they will begin to “colonize,” forming numerous mounds along a series of fleshy rhizomes. Alstroemeria are much hardier and easier to grow outside than many people realise. You see, in nature, seed dries out completely and then undergoes a period of wetness, cold, and tumbling about all winter long. Peruvian lily does best in the garden. 2. Place it in the refrigerator for two to four weeks to replicate outdoor conditions before sprouting indoors, and be sure to keep the potting medium moist throughout. Optimal growing temperature for alstroemeria Ideal average daily growing … If you find it necessary to re-pot, choose a container with ample drainage holes. How long will alstroemeria last? The two most common are the tomato spotted wilt virus usually spread by thrips and the Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) mosaic virus usually spread by aphids. Wilted leaves and stems, and stunted growth are symptoms of Phythium. To ensure the growth of a healthy flower from the start, use a solid base fertilizer when planting the alstroemeria. 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