filler · easy · budget
Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria · aka Peruvian lily, lily of the Incas
The alstroemeria wins the best vase-life-per-dollar ratio in the flower world. One stem carries 5–7 clusters of trumpet-shaped florets that open over two weeks. Yellow leaves are its one weakness — strip them at purchase. A weekly-flower-delivery favourite for the same reason: it lasts.
At a glance
| Family | Alstroemeriaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | South America; commercially grown Colombia, Ecuador, Netherlands |
| Peak season | all year |
| Availability | all year |
| Stem length | 50–80 cm |
| Vase life | 14–21 days |
| Colors | white, cream, yellow, orange, peach, pink, red, burgundy, purple, bicolor |
| Price tier | budget |
Conditioning
Cut on a diagonal. Strip lower foliage (leaves yellow faster than the flowers).
Care in the vase
- •Very long vase life — 2–3 weeks common
- •Multiple buds per stem open over 10+ days
- •Strip leaves — they yellow and die before the flowers do
- •Budget-friendly with excellent output per stem
Design role & symbolism
Symbolismfriendship, devotion, mutual support
Occasionseveryday, birthday, get-well, long-lasting arrangements
Substituteschrysanthemum, spray rose
long-lastingbudgetyear-round
