Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) Alstroemeria aurea
Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) (Alstroemeria aurea) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Alstroemeriaceae family, native to Chile and Argentina (Andes). It grows 60 cm–1.1 m (24 in–3.6 ft) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Alstroemeriaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.1 m (24 in–3.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 7–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Chile and Argentina (Andes) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇱 Chile |
Is Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: sap, tubers
Contains tuliposide A, which commonly causes contact dermatitis in people; pet effects are not clearly documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Peruvian lily (alstroemeria)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (10 plants)
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (12 plants)
Questions about Peruvian lily (alstroemeria)
- How far apart should I plant Peruvian lily (alstroemeria)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Peruvian lily (alstroemeria)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) flower?
- From about June for 7–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Peruvian lily (alstroemeria) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Contains tuliposide A, which commonly causes contact dermatitis in people; pet effects are not clearly documented.
- What grows well with Peruvian lily (alstroemeria)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Peruvian lily (alstroemeria). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Spreads by tuberous roots and can be hard to remove; mulch in cold-winter gardens. Many hybrid cultivars are less hardy than A. aurea.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus