Alstroemeria flowers care guide: tips to arrange your Peruvian lilies
If you’re as obsessed with the alstroemeria flower (also known as the Peruvian lily) as we are, then you’ll want to know how to get the most out of yours.
We’ve pulled together some of the best alstroemeria care tips we know, along with the general information you need to keep them looking amazing!
Alstroemeria care: the basics
When it comes to Peruvian lily care, there are some basics that you need to consider. When it comes to cut alstroemeria...
Trim and water them ASAP
Upon arrival, trim the stems and place the stems in water. With the help of a good drink they’ll blooming over a day or two to reveal their inner petals.
Find a cool spot
Alstroemeria flowers love a little light, but not too much. The best place for your Peruvian lilies is somewhere with lots of morning sun and a little shade later in the day. A table near a window is perfect. But we recommend avoiding any window sills because the sunshine through the glass can dehydrate your flowers and make them fade faster than they should!
And if you’ve got an alstroemeria plant...
Don’t overwater it!
Alstroemeria don’t need too much water and overwatering can lead to rotting roots. So only water your alstroemeria when its soil looks dry!
Fertilise it
To get the most out of your beautiful Peruvian Lily, you can feed it Alstroemeria fertiliser when it’s in its ‘bloom season.’ This’ll help elongate the time it flowers!
Alstroemeria meanings
Alstroemeria (pronounced alstro-mere-ee-aah) are especially loved for what they symbolise: friendship and devotion.
Their leaves are the main source of inspiration for this meaning as they twist and turn to reach the sunlight, which many people think relates well to the twists and turns of friendship.
Peruvian lilies come in so many colours. They’re often used in bridal bouquets or wedding flowers, but they’re also a meaningful gift to send to friends, newly weds or just-engaged couples.
How to cut alstroemeria flowers
Perennial plants like the Peruvian lily like to be cut back to encourage new growth and flowering during the bloom season. This not only refreshes the plant and helps the flowers to stay healthy, but also makes the plant look neater and prettier.
When cutting alstroemeria flowers from the plant, take the old flower gently from the base and pull it from the stem (close to the soil).
How to arrange your alstroemeria flowers like a pro
Peruvian lilies are really long lasting, so learning how to arrange them perfectly will be time well spent! Here are some quick tips for you to try:
- Make sure your alstroemeria lily heads face forward so your bouquet looks really full and impactful from the front
- Arrange your smaller alstroemeria flowers at the top and the larger ones at the bottom of the vase to build a balanced shape.
- Don’t worry about symmetry. Just focus on if it looks balanced, especially if you have lots of colours - spread them out!
What to do when your alstroemeria lily stops flowering
One of the most frequently asked questions about lilies is what to do when they stop flowering. Your Peruvian lily plant will bloom once a year. But when these flowers die it’s really important that you snip the dead flower away from the plant so that the plant doesn’t waste any energy on it. Just be careful not to damage any of the plant’s leaves as you do so. As they need to stay in tact to help nourish next season’s blooms!
Want to know more more about Peruvian lilies? Why not browse our lily care page for more information. Or if you’re not a lily lover, take a look at our lily-free blooms.