The Peruvian lily: a long-flowering favourite for Australian gardens
Alstroemeria, commonly called the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, is a tuberous perennial prized for its exceptionally long flowering season and its striking, often multi-coloured blooms streaked and speckled with contrasting markings. Despite the common name, it is not closely related to true lilies or to daylilies, though it fills a similar role in the garden as a long-blooming, colourful border perennial. This guide covers how to grow and care for alstroemeria in Australian conditions.
Understanding how alstroemeria grows
Alstroemeria grows from a cluster of fleshy, brittle tuberous roots, sending up stems that carry clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers over an unusually long season — many varieties flower for several months, from late spring right through summer and into autumn in favourable conditions.
Choosing a position
Alstroemeria performs best with morning sun and some protection from harsh afternoon heat, particularly in the hotter inland regions of Australia — a position similar to what daylilies often prefer in extreme heat. In cooler, temperate climates, fuller sun is generally fine and often produces stronger flowering. Good drainage is essential, since the brittle tuberous roots are prone to rotting in waterlogged soil.
Soil preparation and planting
Work plenty of well-rotted organic matter into the soil before planting, aiming for a loose, free-draining structure that the brittle roots can spread through easily without obstruction. Plant tubers with care, since they damage easily when handled roughly, setting them at a depth of roughly 10–15cm. Space plants generously, as established clumps spread steadily over a few seasons.
Watering
Alstroemeria appreciates consistent moisture during the growing and flowering season but does not tolerate waterlogged soil, so a regular but not excessive watering routine works best. Reducing water somewhat once the plant enters its natural dormant period (many varieties die back for a rest period at some point in the year) helps avoid rot in the resting tubers.
Feeding
A balanced, slow-release fertiliser applied at the start of the growing season supports the long flowering display alstroemeria is known for. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which — as with many flowering perennials — tends to favour leafy growth over flowers.
Harvesting flowers the right way
One of alstroemeria’s quirks is that flower stems should be pulled, not cut, when harvesting for a vase or when removing spent stems. Grasping the stem low down and pulling it away from the tuber with a firm, steady motion encourages the plant to send up a fresh replacement stem, whereas cutting with scissors can leave a stub that does not regenerate as readily. This same technique is commonly used by cut-flower growers to maximise repeat flowering over the season.
Dividing established clumps
Every few years, alstroemeria clumps benefit from being lifted and divided, both to manage their spread and to maintain vigorous flowering. Because the tuberous roots are brittle and can be extensive, dividing is best done carefully, in the cooler months, teasing sections apart rather than forcing them, with each division retaining a reasonable portion of root and at least one growing point.
Managing spread
Some alstroemeria varieties spread more assertively than others, forming steadily expanding colonies via their tuberous roots. If you want to keep a planting contained, choose a variety known for a clumping rather than a running habit, or plant within a buried barrier to physically restrict root spread — similar to the precaution sometimes recommended for vigorous agapanthus varieties.
Common problems
Alstroemeria is relatively trouble-free when grown in appropriate conditions, though poor drainage is the most common cause of failure, leading to rotting tubers and a general decline in vigour. Slugs and snails can damage new spring growth, and, as with many other perennials, powdery mildew can occasionally appear in humid conditions with poor air circulation.
Combining alstroemeria in the garden
Alstroemeria’s long flowering season and relatively compact, upright habit make it a useful mid-border perennial, working well alongside daylilies, salvias, and other sun-loving flowering plants. Its intricately marked flowers also make an excellent contrast against simpler, single-coloured blooms nearby.
Alstroemeria in containers
Alstroemeria also performs well in large pots, which can be a practical option for gardeners with heavy or poorly drained soil, or those wanting to control an assertively spreading variety. Choose a pot with excellent drainage and generous depth to accommodate the tuberous root system, and be prepared to divide and repot every few years as the clump fills the available space.
Frequently asked questions
Is alstroemeria the same as a true lily? No — despite the common name “Peruvian lily,” alstroemeria is botanically unrelated to true lilies (Lilium) or to daylilies, the same naming confusion that applies between those two plants as well.
How long do cut alstroemeria flowers last in a vase? Notably long by cut-flower standards — often two weeks or more, which is part of why the plant is so popular commercially.
Does alstroemeria come back reliably every year? Yes, in a suitable position with good drainage, alstroemeria is a genuine long-lived perennial rather than something needing annual replanting.
Choosing between the many hybrid series
Modern alstroemeria breeding has produced numerous hybrid series aimed at different uses, from compact, free-flowering garden varieties to taller types bred primarily for the cut-flower trade. If garden display is your priority rather than cutting for vases, look specifically for varieties described as compact or garden-type, since some of the taller cut-flower-bred series can look leggy and sparse when left to grow as a garden border plant rather than being regularly harvested.
A rewarding long-season performer
Few perennials match alstroemeria’s combination of an extended flowering season and intricately patterned blooms, and with reasonable attention to drainage and a sensibly chosen position, it is a genuinely rewarding, long-lived addition to an Australian perennial border.
