Alstroemeria
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.
| 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 |
Cut on a diagonal. Strip lower foliage (leaves yellow faster than the flowers).
- •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
4 named alstroemeria cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.
Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- Inca Lilies
- Also known as
- Peruvian lily, lily of the Incas, Ligtu, Lilavia, Priopetalon, Schickendantzia, Taltalia
- Distribution
- Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Chile Central
- Cold storage
- 0–1 °C
- Ethylene sensitivity
- sensitive
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY), USDA Agriculture Handbook 66 (public domain)
Frequently asked questions
When is Alstroemeria in season?
Alstroemeria peaks in all year, and florists can usually source it all year. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Alstroemeria last in a vase?
Expect 14–21 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Alstroemeria?
Good substitutes for Alstroemeria include Chrysanthemum, Spray rose, Asiatic Lily. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Alstroemeria symbolise?
Alstroemeria is associated with friendship, devotion, mutual support.
How do you care for cut Alstroemeria?
Very long vase life — 2–3 weeks common
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Alstroemeria”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/alstroemeria/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/alstroemeria/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Alstroemeria</a>