Alstroemeria Facts

The alstroemeria is a hardy, easy to grow flower, requiring minimal care for months of colorful, long lasting blooms throughout the warmer periods of the year. Often confused with the popular lily, its beginnings go back hundreds of years and in some countries, the alstroemeria is considered to be a sacred flower. The genus has over 50 species of flowering plants.

About Alstroemerias

Alstroemeria flowers bloom in late spring and continue throughout the summer and will usually do better in cooler climates. The flowers can be found in a variety of colors including pink, orange, lavender, salmon, red, white, apricot and yellow and the petals of the alstroemeria flower are usually striped. With an average vase life of about two weeks indoors, the alstroemeria has become a popular decorating choice for long lasting floral arrangements and bouquets. Although pretty to look at, the alstroemeria flowers have no fragrance.

Care

Alstroemeria flowers will do best when planted in areas that receive full sun most of the day and generally do not do well in shaded areas like covered porches. The flowers also require well-drained soil to thrive and dead flower stems should be pruned on a regular basis to allow for new petal growth.

Alstroemeria Planting Tips

For optimum growing results, gardeners should plant alstroemerias at least one foot apart from one another and water thoroughly, making sure the soil is completely moist. The next step in planting is to cover the area with about three inches of mulch, preferably an organic compost, being careful not to place the mulch directly atop the plant. A light application of organic fertilizer should be applied during the planting process to help ensure a more productive growth.

History of the Alstroemeria

The alstroemeria's roots can be traced back to the mid-18th Century and is named after a well-known Swedish botanist Klas von Alstroemer, who is said to have brought the very first alstroemeria seeds back from a trip to Spain in 1753. Resembling a miniature lily, the alstroemeria is most commonly produced in the South American mountain regions and is often referred to as the Peruvian Lily, parrot lily, or Lily of the Incas.

Alstroemeria Characteristics

The alstroemeria flower has a very distinct characteristic in that the stem leaves are always upside down. A spiral growth pattern forces the leaves to twist as they grow from the stem, forcing the bottom of the leaf to face skywards. Because of this odd feature, in many cultures the alstroemeria flower has become a symbol of friendship and devotion, mimicking the twist and turns that friendships take.