Plant DetailShow Menu

Alstroemeria

Phonetic Spelling
al-stro-MER-ee-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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.  

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Parking Lot Berms
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Annica'
    Purple flower - 24"
  • 'Antarctica'
    White flower - 12-24"
  • 'Apollo'
    White-yellow flowers - 32-40"
  • 'Azula'
    Purple flowers - 32-38"
  • 'Bali'
    Golden-apricot flowers - 32"
  • 'Butterscotch'
    Pinkish/apricot flowers - 36-48"
  • 'Cahors'
    Pink-yellow flowers.
  • 'Casablanca' Alstroemeria 'Casablanca' flowers
    White flower - 32-40"
  • 'Celine'
    Pale pink, yellow flowers.
  • 'Cerise'
    Pale pink flower - 24"
  • 'Champagne'
    Antique white - 36-48"
  • 'Cleo'
    Purple flowers - 32"
  • 'Colorita'
  • 'Colorita Ariane'
    Yellow, dwarf variety.
  • 'Colorita Claire'
    Snowy white. Dwarf variety.
  • 'Colorita Elaine'
    Pink with gold and maroon dots and dashes. Dwarf variety.
  • 'Compact Red'
    Cherry red flowers - 18-24"
  • 'Coronet'
    Salmon/yellow flowers.
  • 'Dr. Salter's hybrids'
  • 'Dusty Rose'
    Pale pink/yellow flowers - 30"
  • 'Dwarf Fuchsia'
    Fuchsia flower - 15-22"
  • 'Elvira'
    Off-white flowers - 30-36"
  • 'Flaming Star'
    Orange flower - 32"
  • 'Fougere'
    White/purple flower - 24-36"
  • 'Freedom'
    Pink/pale yellow flower - 24-30"
  • 'Friendship'
    Yellow flushed pink flowers - 20"
  • 'Glory of the Andes'
    Yellow/rust tip flowers - 32-38"
  • 'Henry's Violet'
    Violet flowers - 36"
  • 'Inca Bandit'
    Deep salmon flower - 15-18" - Dwarf variety
  • 'Inca Glow'
    Pink flower - 16-18"
  • 'Inca Ice'
    Pale pink flower - 24-32"
  • 'Inca Joli'
    Orange/red flower - 16-20"
  • 'Inca Lake'
    Pale purple flower - 12-16"
  • 'Inca Lolly'
    Deep pink flower - 12" dwarf
  • 'Inca Mambo'
    Orange/yellow flower - 16-18"
  • 'Inca Pulse'
    Deep orange flower - 18-24"
  • 'Inca Sweety'
    White/pink flower - 12" dwarf
  • 'Inca Tropic'
    Bright orange/yellow flower - 24-28"
  • 'Inca Vito'
    Red flower - 8-10" dwarf
  • 'Indian Summer'
    Orange-yellow flowers - Variegated foliage - 24-28"
  • 'Koice'
    Light peach flowers - 18"
  • 'Koncajoli'
    Orange/red flower - 12-24"
  • 'Lavender Blush'
    Pink-lilac-rose flowers - 30"
  • 'Magic White'
    White flower - 12-24"
  • 'Margaret'
    Bright pink/yellow flowr - 40-48"
  • 'Marjorie's Hybrid'
    Mauve-salmon-gold flowers - 30"
  • 'Mars'
    Scarlet flowers - 24-36"
  • 'Mauve Majesty'
    Purple/white flower - 30"
  • 'Meyer's Rose'
    Pink flowers - 30"
  • 'Moulin Rouge'
    Orange/yellow flower - 20-28"
  • 'Nehi Grape'
    Purple/white flower - 12-18"
  • 'Orange Gem'
    Orange flowers
  • 'Orange Glory'
    Orange flowers.
  • 'Oriana'
    Salmon/yellow flowers.
  • 'Pacific Sunset'
    Apricot 36", Dark Pink 24", Hot Pink 18-24", Medium Pink 24" and Peachy Orange 36-42"
  • 'Patricia Lynn'
  • 'Patricia Lynn'
    Bright pink - 24"
  • 'Perfect Orange'
    Orange flower - 36-42"
  • 'Prima Donna'
    Pasta poink flower - 24-36"
  • 'Princes Ariane'
    Butter-yellow flowers - 12-24"
  • 'Princess Amina'
    Orange flowers - 12-24"
  • 'Princess Angela'
    Bright pink flower - 9-12"
  • 'Princess Anouska'
    Purple/white flower - 10-12"
  • 'Princess Diana'
    Bright yellow flower - 8-12"
  • 'Princess Eliane'
    Bright pink flower - 9-12"
  • 'Princess Fabiana'
    Cream flower - 10-12"
  • 'Princess Felicia'
    Yellow flower - 10-12"
  • 'Princess Ivana'
    Rosy pink flower - 12-24"
  • 'Princess Letizia'
    Deep red blooms with yellow throats.
  • 'Princess Louise'
    Purple/pink flower - 8-12'
  • 'Princess Mathilde'
    Peachy-orange flower - 12-24"
  • 'Princess Sara'
    Pale orange flowers with pink and yellow highlights - 10-12"
  • 'Princess Victoria'
    Coral-yellow flowers - 30"
  • 'Rachael'
    Purple flowers - 24"
  • 'Red Sensation'
    Red flower - 30"
  • 'Red Valley'
    Red-scarlet - 30"
  • 'Saturne'
    Coral-pink flower - 24-36"
  • 'Summer Breeze'
    Orange-yellow blossoms, variegated foliage.
  • 'Sunlight'
    Creamy-yellow flower - 12-24"
  • 'Sussex Gold'
    Golden-yellow flowers. 32-38".
  • 'Sweet Laura'
    Yellow with orange-red flower - 24-30"
  • 'Tessa'
    Hot pink flower - 40-48"
  • 'The Third Harmonic'
    Golden yellow flower - 30-42"
  • 'Variegata'
    Green/burgandy flower - 15-30". Variegated leaves.
  • 'Watermellon'
    Pink/yellow flower - 28-36"
  • 'Yellow Friendship'
    Yellow flower - 32-40"
'Annica', 'Antarctica', 'Apollo', 'Azula', 'Bali', 'Butterscotch', 'Cahors', 'Casablanca', 'Celine', 'Cerise', 'Champagne', 'Cleo', 'Colorita', 'Colorita Ariane', 'Colorita Claire', 'Colorita Elaine', 'Compact Red', 'Coronet', 'Dr. Salter's hybrids', 'Dusty Rose', 'Dwarf Fuchsia', 'Elvira', 'Flaming Star', 'Fougere', 'Freedom', 'Friendship', 'Glory of the Andes', 'Henry's Violet', 'Inca Bandit', 'Inca Glow', 'Inca Ice', 'Inca Joli', 'Inca Lake', 'Inca Lolly', 'Inca Mambo', 'Inca Pulse', 'Inca Sweety', 'Inca Tropic', 'Inca Vito', 'Indian Summer', 'Koice', 'Koncajoli', 'Lavender Blush', 'Magic White', 'Margaret', 'Marjorie's Hybrid', 'Mars', 'Mauve Majesty', 'Meyer's Rose', 'Moulin Rouge', 'Nehi Grape', 'Orange Gem', 'Orange Glory', 'Oriana', 'Pacific Sunset', 'Patricia Lynn', 'Patricia Lynn', 'Perfect Orange', 'Prima Donna', 'Princes Ariane', 'Princess Amina', 'Princess Angela', 'Princess Anouska', 'Princess Diana', 'Princess Eliane', 'Princess Fabiana', 'Princess Felicia', 'Princess Ivana', 'Princess Letizia', 'Princess Louise', 'Princess Mathilde', 'Princess Sara', 'Princess Victoria', 'Rachael', 'Red Sensation', 'Red Valley', 'Saturne', 'Summer Breeze', 'Sunlight', 'Sussex Gold', 'Sweet Laura', 'Tessa', 'The Third Harmonic', 'Variegata', 'Watermellon', 'Yellow Friendship'
Tags:
#purple#bulb#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#salmon#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#orange flowers#salmon flowers#interiorscape#spring flowers#long-lasting flowers#summer flowers#tender perennial#deer resistant#summer bulbs#cutting garden#spring interest#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#contact dermatitis#Guilford Crevice Garden#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Annica'
    Purple flower - 24"
  • 'Antarctica'
    White flower - 12-24"
  • 'Apollo'
    White-yellow flowers - 32-40"
  • 'Azula'
    Purple flowers - 32-38"
  • 'Bali'
    Golden-apricot flowers - 32"
  • 'Butterscotch'
    Pinkish/apricot flowers - 36-48"
  • 'Cahors'
    Pink-yellow flowers.
  • 'Casablanca' Alstroemeria 'Casablanca' flowers
    White flower - 32-40"
  • 'Celine'
    Pale pink, yellow flowers.
  • 'Cerise'
    Pale pink flower - 24"
  • 'Champagne'
    Antique white - 36-48"
  • 'Cleo'
    Purple flowers - 32"
  • 'Colorita'
  • 'Colorita Ariane'
    Yellow, dwarf variety.
  • 'Colorita Claire'
    Snowy white. Dwarf variety.
  • 'Colorita Elaine'
    Pink with gold and maroon dots and dashes. Dwarf variety.
  • 'Compact Red'
    Cherry red flowers - 18-24"
  • 'Coronet'
    Salmon/yellow flowers.
  • 'Dr. Salter's hybrids'
  • 'Dusty Rose'
    Pale pink/yellow flowers - 30"
  • 'Dwarf Fuchsia'
    Fuchsia flower - 15-22"
  • 'Elvira'
    Off-white flowers - 30-36"
  • 'Flaming Star'
    Orange flower - 32"
  • 'Fougere'
    White/purple flower - 24-36"
  • 'Freedom'
    Pink/pale yellow flower - 24-30"
  • 'Friendship'
    Yellow flushed pink flowers - 20"
  • 'Glory of the Andes'
    Yellow/rust tip flowers - 32-38"
  • 'Henry's Violet'
    Violet flowers - 36"
  • 'Inca Bandit'
    Deep salmon flower - 15-18" - Dwarf variety
  • 'Inca Glow'
    Pink flower - 16-18"
  • 'Inca Ice'
    Pale pink flower - 24-32"
  • 'Inca Joli'
    Orange/red flower - 16-20"
  • 'Inca Lake'
    Pale purple flower - 12-16"
  • 'Inca Lolly'
    Deep pink flower - 12" dwarf
  • 'Inca Mambo'
    Orange/yellow flower - 16-18"
  • 'Inca Pulse'
    Deep orange flower - 18-24"
  • 'Inca Sweety'
    White/pink flower - 12" dwarf
  • 'Inca Tropic'
    Bright orange/yellow flower - 24-28"
  • 'Inca Vito'
    Red flower - 8-10" dwarf
  • 'Indian Summer'
    Orange-yellow flowers - Variegated foliage - 24-28"
  • 'Koice'
    Light peach flowers - 18"
  • 'Koncajoli'
    Orange/red flower - 12-24"
  • 'Lavender Blush'
    Pink-lilac-rose flowers - 30"
  • 'Magic White'
    White flower - 12-24"
  • 'Margaret'
    Bright pink/yellow flowr - 40-48"
  • 'Marjorie's Hybrid'
    Mauve-salmon-gold flowers - 30"
  • 'Mars'
    Scarlet flowers - 24-36"
  • 'Mauve Majesty'
    Purple/white flower - 30"
  • 'Meyer's Rose'
    Pink flowers - 30"
  • 'Moulin Rouge'
    Orange/yellow flower - 20-28"
  • 'Nehi Grape'
    Purple/white flower - 12-18"
  • 'Orange Gem'
    Orange flowers
  • 'Orange Glory'
    Orange flowers.
  • 'Oriana'
    Salmon/yellow flowers.
  • 'Pacific Sunset'
    Apricot 36", Dark Pink 24", Hot Pink 18-24", Medium Pink 24" and Peachy Orange 36-42"
  • 'Patricia Lynn'
  • 'Patricia Lynn'
    Bright pink - 24"
  • 'Perfect Orange'
    Orange flower - 36-42"
  • 'Prima Donna'
    Pasta poink flower - 24-36"
  • 'Princes Ariane'
    Butter-yellow flowers - 12-24"
  • 'Princess Amina'
    Orange flowers - 12-24"
  • 'Princess Angela'
    Bright pink flower - 9-12"
  • 'Princess Anouska'
    Purple/white flower - 10-12"
  • 'Princess Diana'
    Bright yellow flower - 8-12"
  • 'Princess Eliane'
    Bright pink flower - 9-12"
  • 'Princess Fabiana'
    Cream flower - 10-12"
  • 'Princess Felicia'
    Yellow flower - 10-12"
  • 'Princess Ivana'
    Rosy pink flower - 12-24"
  • 'Princess Letizia'
    Deep red blooms with yellow throats.
  • 'Princess Louise'
    Purple/pink flower - 8-12'
  • 'Princess Mathilde'
    Peachy-orange flower - 12-24"
  • 'Princess Sara'
    Pale orange flowers with pink and yellow highlights - 10-12"
  • 'Princess Victoria'
    Coral-yellow flowers - 30"
  • 'Rachael'
    Purple flowers - 24"
  • 'Red Sensation'
    Red flower - 30"
  • 'Red Valley'
    Red-scarlet - 30"
  • 'Saturne'
    Coral-pink flower - 24-36"
  • 'Summer Breeze'
    Orange-yellow blossoms, variegated foliage.
  • 'Sunlight'
    Creamy-yellow flower - 12-24"
  • 'Sussex Gold'
    Golden-yellow flowers. 32-38".
  • 'Sweet Laura'
    Yellow with orange-red flower - 24-30"
  • 'Tessa'
    Hot pink flower - 40-48"
  • 'The Third Harmonic'
    Golden yellow flower - 30-42"
  • 'Variegata'
    Green/burgandy flower - 15-30". Variegated leaves.
  • 'Watermellon'
    Pink/yellow flower - 28-36"
  • 'Yellow Friendship'
    Yellow flower - 32-40"
'Annica', 'Antarctica', 'Apollo', 'Azula', 'Bali', 'Butterscotch', 'Cahors', 'Casablanca', 'Celine', 'Cerise', 'Champagne', 'Cleo', 'Colorita', 'Colorita Ariane', 'Colorita Claire', 'Colorita Elaine', 'Compact Red', 'Coronet', 'Dr. Salter's hybrids', 'Dusty Rose', 'Dwarf Fuchsia', 'Elvira', 'Flaming Star', 'Fougere', 'Freedom', 'Friendship', 'Glory of the Andes', 'Henry's Violet', 'Inca Bandit', 'Inca Glow', 'Inca Ice', 'Inca Joli', 'Inca Lake', 'Inca Lolly', 'Inca Mambo', 'Inca Pulse', 'Inca Sweety', 'Inca Tropic', 'Inca Vito', 'Indian Summer', 'Koice', 'Koncajoli', 'Lavender Blush', 'Magic White', 'Margaret', 'Marjorie's Hybrid', 'Mars', 'Mauve Majesty', 'Meyer's Rose', 'Moulin Rouge', 'Nehi Grape', 'Orange Gem', 'Orange Glory', 'Oriana', 'Pacific Sunset', 'Patricia Lynn', 'Patricia Lynn', 'Perfect Orange', 'Prima Donna', 'Princes Ariane', 'Princess Amina', 'Princess Angela', 'Princess Anouska', 'Princess Diana', 'Princess Eliane', 'Princess Fabiana', 'Princess Felicia', 'Princess Ivana', 'Princess Letizia', 'Princess Louise', 'Princess Mathilde', 'Princess Sara', 'Princess Victoria', 'Rachael', 'Red Sensation', 'Red Valley', 'Saturne', 'Summer Breeze', 'Sunlight', 'Sussex Gold', 'Sweet Laura', 'Tessa', 'The Third Harmonic', 'Variegata', 'Watermellon', 'Yellow Friendship'
Tags:
#purple#bulb#poisonous#full sun tolerant#houseplant#salmon#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#orange flowers#salmon flowers#interiorscape#spring flowers#long-lasting flowers#summer flowers#tender perennial#deer resistant#summer bulbs#cutting garden#spring interest#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#contact dermatitis#Guilford Crevice Garden#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Alstroemeria
    Family:
    Alstroemeriaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Argentina, Chile
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds and pollinators
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Bulb Storage:
    Leave tuberous roots in moist planting medium and store at 35-41°F (2-5 °C)
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flower's colors vary from orange, pink, rose, purple, red, yellow, white, to salmon. Flowers are often streaked or spotted with dark colors. Flowers are bilaterally symmetrical with 6 petal-like parts and long-lasting cut flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Strap-like leaves that are narrowed at the base. The leaves are resupinate, twisted on the petioles so the underside faces upwards.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    This plant has erect stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Meadow
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    SKIN IRRITATION SEVERE! (All parts are poisonous). Poisonous through dermatitis or eye irritation. Symptoms may include skin irritation with fissures, crusting, blisters, and itching upon contact with cell sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Glycosides (tuliposides) α-Methylene-γ-butyrolactones (tulipalin A)
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems