How to Grow Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria is a perennial plant also known as Lily of the Incas or Peruvian lily. For best results, plant bulbs rather than seeds. You can plant bulbs in containers or directly in your garden. An alstroemeria plant may grow as tall as 48 inches (120 cm), and its flowers range in color from white, pink, and salmon to bright orange, red, and purple.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Location

  1. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 1
    1
    Plant when temperatures do not exceed 68° F (20° C) daily. You can plant alstroemeria bulbs in the spring, early summer, or fall, depending on your climate. 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.[1]
    • If you plant alstroemeria indoors, you can do so any time of the year as long as you place the plant in a temperate location.
  2. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 2
    2
    Choose soil with good drainage. Alstroemeria plants need soil with good drainage so the roots don’t rot. You may want to mix your soil with peat moss, compost, ground bark, or decomposed manure to help it drain.[2] Alternatively, you could use a mix of 1:1 perlite and vermiculite or 1:1 organic and inorganic material if you plan to grow your alstroemeria in a container.[3]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 3
    3
    Pick a site with part shade to full sun. Alstroemeria grows best in locations with full morning sun and some shade in the afternoons.[4] If you’re growing alstroemeria indoors, pick a sunny window ledge or a spot with lightly filtered sunshine.[5]
    4. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Planting Alstroemeria

  1. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 4
    1
    Soak your bulbs. Fill a bucket with water, and then place the alstroemeria bulbs into the water overnight. Soaking the bulbs for 24 hours will jump-start their germination process.[6]
  2. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 5
    2
    Dig holes in your soil or potting medium. Dig 6-8 inch (15-20 cm) holes in the potting medium.[7] If you’re planting outdoors, space the holes 24 inches (60 cm) apart to allow room for spreading. If you’re planting in containers, plant each bulb in a large container (1 gallon or 5 liters) with drainage holes.[8]
  3. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 6
    3
    Add the bulbs. Place 1 bulb into each hole, with the pointy side facing up. Cover the bulb gently with soil or potting medium. Lightly tamp down the soil or potting medium around the bulb.[9]
  4. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 7
    4
    Water frequently so the soil is consistently moist. Generously water your freshly planted bulbs. Monitor their moisture level daily until the plant pokes through the surface, keeping the soil consistently moist, but not sopping wet.[10]
    5. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Caring for Alstroemeria

  1. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 8
    1
    Water the alstroemeria when dry. Once your alstroemeria is established, it won’t need as much water. Lightly water when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil is dry. Too much water will lead to root rot, so take care not to overwater your alstroemeria.[11]
  2. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 9
    2
    Fertilize your alstroemeria when in bloom. You can feed alstroemeria with a high potash fertilizer each week during the growing season when your flowers are blooming. Potash fertilizer contains potassium to help your plants thrive. You should be able to find this type of fertilizer at your local garden shop or hardware store.[12]
  3. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 10
    3
    Mulch alstroemeria to protect it. Placing protective mulch around your alstroemeria can protect it from extreme temperatures. You can mulch with straw or bracken. Keep the mulch at least 2 inches (5 cm) from the alstroemeria stem to avoid rotting at the base of the plant.[13]
    • If you live in an extremely hot climate, you may want to place mulch around your alstroemeria in the summer.
    • If you live in a cold climate, you should place mulch around your alstroemeria in the winter.
  4. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 11
    4
    Pick, rather than cut, the flowers. Whether you want to bring some alstroemerias inside to put in a vase, or you need to remove spent blooms, you’ll need to pick out each stem. Pull one or more entire stalks out of the soil or potting medium. Don’t cut the flowers, as the underground meristems will respond to the damage and die.[14]
    • Each flower has its own stalk, so you won’t harm the entire plant by pulling a few stalks.
    • In order to encourage growth, regularly deadhead spent blossoms.
  5. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 12
    5
    Monitor for pests and diseases. Look out for aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies on your alstroemerias. If you find these pests, remove them with a strong stream of water then apply an insecticidal soap.[15] To avoid a disease called root rot, be sure to water only until moist, choose a well-draining soil, and leave room between your plants for air to reach your alstroemerias.[16]
  6. Image titled Grow Alstroemeria Step 13
    6
    Divide your alstroemeria by the rhizomes for propagation. If you want to get new plants from the ones you already have, cut the plant so that it’s within 6 inches (15 cm) of the ground.[17] Two weeks later, dig all the way around the plant. Dig up the plant’s rhizomes, or horizontally-running root networks, as well as all of the roots that branch off from them. Divide the rhizomes of the plant with a sharp knife and then replant the rhizomes 6 inches (15 cm) deep and 12 inches (30 cm) apart.
    • Expect the newly planted rhizomes to flourish within 10 weeks of planting.
    • Thin and transplant the rhizomes every 2-3 years during the spring.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Advertisement

Warnings

  • Although all parts of the plant are poisonous and cause skin irritation, they are often grown for use as a colorful addition to cut flower arrangements. Wear gloves when handling alstroemeria to avoid skin irritation. Do not eat alstroemeria.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽


Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Identify Female and Male Marijuana Plants
How to
Identify Female and Male Marijuana Plants
Care for Peace Lilies
How to
Care for Peace Lilies
Propagate Bougainvillea
How to
Propagate Bougainvillea
Get Amaryllis to Rebloom
How to
Get Amaryllis to Rebloom
Propagate Hibiscus
How to
Propagate Hibiscus
Prune Hibiscus
How to
Prune Hibiscus
Prune Bougainvillea
How to
Prune Bougainvillea
Grow Lotus Flower
How to
Grow Lotus Flower
Plant Sunflower Seeds
How to
Plant Sunflower Seeds
How to
Preserve Flowers
Grow Jasmine from Cuttings
How to
Grow Jasmine from Cuttings
Prune a Poinsettia
How to
Prune a Poinsettia
Store Tulip Bulbs
How to
Store Tulip Bulbs
Grow a Hyacinth Bulb in Water
How to
Grow a Hyacinth Bulb in Water
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Alstroemeria
  2. ↑ https://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/pages/alstroemeria-planting-guide
  3. ↑ http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Alstroemeria
  4. ↑ http://www.livetogarden.com/garden-flowers/alstroemeria.aspx
  5. ↑ https://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/pages/alstroemeria-planting-guide
  6. ↑ http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Alstroemeria
  7. ↑ http://www.thegardenhelper.com/alstroemeria.html
  8. ↑ https://www.sarahraven.com/articles/growing_alstroemeria.htm
  9. ↑ https://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/pages/alstroemeria-planting-guide
  1. ↑ https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/plants/perennials/how-to-grow-alstroemerias
  2. ↑ https://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/pages/alstroemeria-planting-guide
  3. ↑ https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/plants/perennials/how-to-grow-alstroemerias
  4. ↑ https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/plants/perennials/how-to-grow-alstroemerias
  5. ↑ https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/plants/perennials/how-to-grow-alstroemerias
  6. ↑ https://www.maximumyield.com/how-do-i-get-rid-of-white-flies-aphids-and-spider-mites-in-my-garden/7/1817
  7. ↑ http://www.epicgardening.com/peruvian-lily-alstroemeria/#tab-con-13
  8. ↑ https://www.epicgardening.com/peruvian-lily-alstroemeria/

About This Article

Maggie Moran
Co-authored by:
Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. This article has been viewed 107,450 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 10
Updated: February 24, 2023
Views: 107,450
Categories: Growing Flowers
Article SummaryX

To grow alstroemeria, start by soaking the bulbs in water for 24 hours to jump-start germination. Next, dig holes that are 6-8 inches deep in well-draining soil and plant the bulbs with the pointy side facing up. Then, make sure the bulbs get partial to full sun every day and water them frequently so the soil stays moist. Finally, fertilize your plants every week during the growing season to encourage lots of colorful blooms! For tips on monitoring for pests, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement