Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Alstroemeria. |
Common name |
Alstroemeria, Inca Lily, Peruvian Lily. |
Family |
Alstroemeriaceae. |
Origin |
South America. |
Dimensions |
From 30 to 80 cm growth is rapid. |
Foliage |
Small, smooth green leaves arranged in a spiral along the stem. |
Bloom |
June to September. Almost odorless flowers which resemble a small lily, funnel-shaped with 6 tepals and variable colors. |
Exposure |
Shade, partial shade. |
Ground |
Rather rich, but well drained. |
Rusticity |
Hardy up to -15°C (with protection). |
While they naturally brighten up the garden, alstroemeria also have the advantage of holding up very well as cut flowers.
Alstroemeria
is
also a symbol of friendship, perfect to offer as a bouquet!
The most beautiful varieties of
Alstroemeria
The different varieties of alstroemeria offer a beautiful palette of colors to add a touch of elegance to your garden and your floral arrangements.
Here are the most notable:
Alstroemeria 'Princess Lilies':
This variety is distinguished by its large flowers with bright pink petals, sometimes spotted with red or purple.
Alstroemeria 'Peruvian Lily':
A huge range of colors, from pure white to pink, orange, yellow and purple.
This variety is renowned for its vase life.
Alstroemeria 'Indian Summer':
Flowers in warm colors, ranging from yellow to red, they bring liveliness to the garden.
Alstroemeria
'Apollo'
:
Abundant flowering with pink flowers streaked with purple.
Particularly resistant, this variety thrives in many climates.
Alstroemeria 'Aurea':
Characterized by yellow flowers and lush foliage.
Alstroemeria 'Inca Joli':
This variety with pink and red petals is prized for its disease resistance and long flowering period.
Alstroemeria 'Orange Glo':
As its name suggests, this variety offers bright orange flowers.
Alstroemeria 'Princess Mathil':
Pale pink flowers with yellow throats and petals spotted with darker pink.
Alstroemeria 'Ligtu Hybrid'
: Ligtu hybrids are known for their speckled petals of multiple colors, creating an almost exotic effect.
Alstroemeria 'Inticancha'
: With its small flowers in shades of pink, orange and yellow, this variety is ideal for small gardens or pots on a balcony.
Inca Lilies are appreciated for their resistance and durability.
They shine with little maintenance, satisfying gardening enthusiasts and florists alike.
Alstroemeria prefers rich, slightly acidic soil with a sunny but not scorching location.
Copyright (c) 2020 Peter Turner Photography/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
Where to plant alstroemeria?
The Inca lily can be grown
both in pots and in the ground
.
In both cases, good drainage will be required.
because the roots are particularly sensitive to rot.
Alstroemeria prefers
rich, slightly acidic soil
(pH between 6 and 7) with a sunny
but not scorching or partially shaded
location .
In a pot, prepare a mixture of universal potting soil and perlite or sand.
When and how to plant
Alstroemeria
?
The best time to plant alstroemeria is
in spring
,
after the last frost
.
Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and add well-rotted compost to enrich the soil.
Plant in the center, making sure the top is level with the ground.
Space plants about 30 to 45 centimeters apart to allow for optimal growth.
It is advisable to divide and replant the Inca Lily every two to three years to stimulate the plant.
Copyright (c) 2023 Josueliton/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
How to maintain Inca Lilies?
Alstroemeria is
a
flowering plant that requires little care compared to the aesthetic benefit it offers
!
Water
regularly
to keep the soil slightly moist, but
without standing water
.
Provide a
balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season
(spring and summer).
Remove spent flowers as you go
to encourage new blooms.
It is not uncommon for the Inca Lily plant to become exhausted over time, producing fewer and fewer flowers.
This is why it is advisable to
divide and replant the Inca Lily every two to three years
.
This energizing process, combined with good fertilization, ensures everlasting luxuriant flowering!
The main pests to worry about are
spider mites, snails and slugs
.
You can treat with insecticides or natural repellents, for example fern manure.
Do alstroemeria fear frost?
Although it comes from warm countries, the Inca Lily is
rather resistant to cold, but it fears severe frosts
.
The best solution is to add a thick layer of organic mulch to the soil to protect the roots from the cold, knowing that in winter the exterior parts of the plant most often disappear.
The
winter cover
also provides good protection for your alstroemeria in the event of fleeting frosts.
However, be sure to remove it as soon as possible to avoid root rot.
In regions where winters are really harsh, it may be preferable to
grow the Inca Lily in a pot
so that you can move it under cover during the cold season.
The Inca Lily is rather resistant to cold, but it fears severe frosts.
Copyright (c) 2020 Peter Turner Photography/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
How to propagate the Peruvian Lily?
The simplest technique for propagating
Alstroemerias
is to
divide the root ball
.
To do this, dig up the mother plant in the spring to separate the rhizomes containing at least one shoot.
You can also
take cuttings
by taking stems in summer and placing them in moist potting soil until roots appear.
Or sow the seeds in spring that you will have harvested at the end of summer.