Alstroemeria

Lily-of-the-Incas or Peruvian Lily is a herbaceous perennial that can be grown as an outdoor perennial in the more temperate climates, or as a container plant that can be brought in for the winter months.  It can also be planted in the ground in cooler climates and dug up to be brought in during the winter and kept in a cool, moist location.  Caution is recommended when digging, as the roots are very brittle and subject to damage.  This plant dislikes dividing.

When planting, spread the finger-like roots over a mound of soil, then cover roots with additional soil.  When left in the ground, the roots will spread to form a colony.  

There are both tall and short (dwarf) varieties available. The tall selections, with their sturdy stems, are excellent for cut flowers, the short do well when container gardening, but may still need to be staked for support.

There is a wide variety of colors to choose from, and often the petals are striated or flecked with contrasting colors.

Insects, Diseases and Other Problems: There are few diseases and pest issues with these plants.  If aphids, spider mites or whiteflies appear, it is probably due to over or under-watering.  In that case, root rot may appear, and snails may affect the plants' overall health.  Yellowing leaves may be an indication of under-watering.  This plant can cause contact dermatitis in some people.