How to Grow and Care for Peruvian Lily
Water
Peruvian lilies need regular moisture, especially as summer temperatures heat up. Give them at least one inch of water weekly or water when the soil surface feels dry.
Temperature and Humidity
Peruvian lilies like temperatures in the 65 to 80 degrees range. Temperatures in the upper 90s can cause the plants to produce blind stems—foliage without flowers. You can prevent these blind stems by planting tubers in partial shade or in an area that receives only morning sun.
In humid areas, it's essential to provide adequate spacing to help air circulation that will carry away spores of fungal diseases like botrytis.
Fertilizer
One feeding in early spring will prep your Peruvian lilies for the growing season. Use a balanced flower fertilizer. A steadier stream of fertilizer (every two weeks) will keep your Peruvian lily flowers more productive in the garden. You can also provide organic additives like manure and compost tea.
Types of Peruvian Lily
Peruvian lilies are hybrids developed from Alstroemeria aurea as one of its parents. Peruvian lily breeders focus on introducing exciting new colors for the cut flower market. Here are a few favorites among many options:
- 'Fougere': large white flowers with purple flushes in the throat, streaked with burgundy. It grows 24 to 36 inches tall.
- 'Moulin Rouge': cheerful orange and yellow tones that glow in the summer border and the bouquet. It tops out at about 28 inches tall.
- 'Mauve Majesty': bright mauve-pink flowers with creamy yellow throats. It is a relatively tall variety, growing to around 30 inches.
- 'Indian Summer': coppery orange flowers and grows up to 30 inches tall.
- 'Princess Eliane': bright pink flowers with yellow and burgundy throats. It is a small variety, 9 to 12 inches tall.
