How to Care for Alstroemeria aurea (Peruvian lily)

Korean name: 알스트로메리아

"The lily of Peru," this flowering plant is native to South America. Its striking flowers with striped patterns last for a long time.

Key facts

Care Guide

Detailed care guide

Alstroemeria is a flowering plant native to South America, also known as the "Lily of the Incas." Its striped, colorful flowers last a long time, making it a great choice for growing indoors.

Watering

Water it as soon as the soil surface dries out. Watering too often can lead to overwatering, turning the leaves yellow and mushy, so be careful. If it's too dry, the leaf tips can turn brown, so keep an eye on it as you care for it.

Light

It grows well anywhere from bright indirect light to direct sunlight. Without enough light, the stems can grow long and weak, so it's best kept somewhere sunny. Very strong direct sunlight can damage the leaves, so moderate it as needed.

Humidity

It does well in average indoor humidity. If the indoor air gets too dry, the leaf tips can dry out, so misting can help when humidity is too low.

Temperature

It's healthiest between 15–22°C. Outside this range, the flowers and leaves can suffer, so watch out for sudden temperature changes or cold.

A common first-timer mistake

The most common mistake beginners make is watering too often. Waiting until the soil surface has dried before watering helps the plant grow healthy.

If you have pets

If pets eat alstroemeria, it can cause mild symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. Keep it somewhere they can't reach or chew on.

Season by season

Alstroemeria grows most vigorously in spring and summer. During this period, give it a balanced fertilizer every other week and water whenever the soil surface dries out. In fall and winter, growth slows, so cut back on or stop fertilizing, and space out watering a bit more.

Common problems and fixes

If the leaves turn yellow or droop, you may be watering too often, so check the soil condition. Insufficient light can mean fewer flowers or leggy stems, so move it somewhere sunnier. If the leaf tips dry out and turn brown, check whether the indoor air is too dry.

Repotting and propagation

Alstroemeria grows well in well-draining, fertile soil. Repot in spring if the roots have become too crowded or the pot is too small for its growth. To propagate, carefully divide the existing roots and plant them in a new pot to grow as new plants.

Who it's a good fit for

This plant is great for anyone who wants to enjoy flowers for a long time, or who wants colorful blooms without a lot of time to spend caring for plants. Since it's moderately easy to care for, it's also a good choice for those already somewhat familiar with houseplants. Given a spot with plenty of natural light, it will grow even more vibrant and healthy.

Written by AI from the care facts in this entry. Treat it as a starting point.

Common questions

How often should you water Alstroemeria aurea?

Water when the surface of the soil is dry. Roughly every 7 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.

Where should you keep Alstroemeria aurea?

It likes Bright indirect light to direct sunlight.. You can grow it indoors. Use Fertile soil with good drainage..

Is Alstroemeria aurea safe around pets?

Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.

Is Alstroemeria aurea good for beginners?

Difficulty: Moderate. Keep it around 15~22°C. Humidity: Average humidity. Fertilise Balanced fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season..