Q&A for How to Grow Alstroemeria

These are considered a long-lasting flower and can stay fresh for nearly 2 weeks.

It is best to divide the plant in the spring. Plan to split Alstroemeria at this time for best results.

Yes, the flower is mildly poisonous. Avoid ingesting any part of this plant.

Alstroemeria plants, also known as the Lily of Peru, are perennials. This means they will grow back year after year.

Yes, they can easily be planted in containers. Plant them 6 inches deep and water them immediately after planting.

No, this doesn't mean that your plants are dying or dead. Seedlings and cuttings can take 10-15 weeks to begin to flower.

No, they will not. Once cut, the stems will not grow.

When in flower, feed them every week with potash feed. Always pull spent flowers from the base, this helps new flowering shoots to grow.

It is easiest to just pull it up and discard. Some people advocate cutting the stems down around winter. Perhaps try that to see how it goes where you're growing it.

Yes, you can divide them before planting. Space the plants 24 inches (60 cm) apart to allow room for spreading.

If they have been fertilized, they will form seed heads. These can be harvested when dried and ripe. Place a bag over the seed head, as when completely ripe it will burst open to scatter the seed. Seeds will not always breed true to color, but they're well worth saving to get new plants.

Yes, you can transplant the plant into your garden bed. Take care to harden the plant first - place it outside during the day and bring it back in at night for a week or so to get it used to the outdoors.

It could be due to under or over watering. Pests may also prevent your plant from flowering.

You can keep them in pots, and you can bury the pots in the ground to contain them.

Yes. They should survive freezes during the winter.

Not generally, as they taste bad. They're a good plant for a deer-resistant garden.

Unfortunately, no. Propagate by division when big enough, or by seed, although these can be difficult to germinate.

Place seeds in dampened peat moss in a Ziplock (resealable plastic) bag in the refrigerator for 3 weeks, then plant in 3” pots at a depth of 1/4”, and keep seeds moist until germination. After they have germinated, you can plant out the seedlings in containers or in the garden.