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Alstroemeria psittacina (Parrot Lily)

Parrot Lily, Alstroemeria pulchella

Alstroemeria psittacina, Parrot Lily, Red Lily, Bicolor Peruvian Lily, Red Alstroemeria, Lily flower, Lily Flower

Noted for its exotic, feathery blooms reminiscent of parrots, Alstroemeria psittacina (Parrot Lily) is a tuberous perennial with leafy, mauve-spotted, erect stems crowned by 5-9 narrow lily-shaped dark crimson flowers, adorned with bright green tips and mahogany streaks. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, this easy-to-grow plant brings a cheerful note and a tropical touch to the garden. The blooms make excellent cut flowers, often lasting 2 weeks in a vase.

  • Grows in a bushy, slowly expanding clump, up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 18 in. wide (45 cm). This plant travels by rhizomes, eventually forming a large colony, but is not usually a pest.
  • Performs best in full sun or partial shade and enjoys fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Mulch for the first two winters.
  • Generally disease free. May be damaged by slugs.
  • Pull stems up after flowering, leaving tubers in the ground. Propagate by division in fall or very early spring.
  • Contact may cause skin allergies.
  • Native to Brazil, Argentina

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Alstroemeria


An essential component of many bouquets thanks to their long vase life (over 2 weeks), Peruvian Lilies (Alstroemeria) are striking beauties that also deserve a spot outdoors. Resembling lilies with their attractive trumpet-like flowers, they grow from tuberous roots which spread outward, gradually increasing the plant size each year – provided some basic rules are respected.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 8 - 11
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Alstroemeriaceae
Genus Alstroemeria
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Depth 6" - 8"
(15cm - 20cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts Bees, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Alstroemeria ‘Bali’ (Peruvian Lily)
Alstroemeria Inticancha ‘Magic White’ (Peruvian Lily)
Alstroemeria ‘Prima Donna’ (Peruvian Lily)
Alstroemeria ‘Cleo’ (Peruvian Lily)
Alstroemeria ligtu hybrids (Peruvian Lily)
Alstroemeria ‘Princess Ariane’ (Peruvian Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Veronica longifolia ‘Blue Giant’ (Speedwell)
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (Catmint)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

26 Terrific Summer Bulbs to Grow in your Garden or Pots
Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Alstroemeria
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 8 - 11
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Alstroemeriaceae
Genus Alstroemeria
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Depth 6" - 8"
(15cm - 20cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts Bees, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

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