How to Grow and Care for Peruvian Lily

Peruvian lilies (Alstroemeria spp.), also called lilies of the Incas, are flowering perennial tuberous plants from mountain regions of South America that closely resemble lilies but are not true lilies. These perennial bulbs produce beautiful flowers that can is a vase for multiple weeks

Common characteristics of Peruvian lilies include their size, growing 20 inches to just over three feet, and their spreading roots, which usually colonize an area. These plants prefer about once inch of water per week, rich, well-draining soil, and full sun, although they need some shade from the sweltering afternoon sun.

Peruvian Lily Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a Peruvian lily:

• Plant Peruvian lilies in the spring after all danger of frost is over and once soil temperatures have reached 60 degrees.
• Choose a location with full sun, with mid-day shade in hotter climates.
• Prepare moist, well-draining soil.
• Water regularly, especially during times of drought.
• Handle tuberous roots gently; they are brittle.
• Spread the tubers over a mound of soil and cover them with about two inches of soil.

Light

Peruvian lilies flower most abundantly in full sun (six to eight hours), but in sweltering climates, they will appreciate some shade during the peak of the afternoon sun.

Soil

Peruvian lilies like fertile, well-drained soil. You can accomplish both qualities by improving your soil with an organic amendment, like compost or leaf mold.

These plants do well in most ordinary garden soil but prefer a slightly acidic pH. Peruvian lilies grow well in raised beds or using the lasagna gardening method