Alstroemeriaceae is native to South America. There are about fifty species and South Africa boasts with their own hybrids. These lilies were named after their founder, Baron Claus von Alstroemer from Sweeden. They are perennials with tuberous roots and is the flower of friendship.
The Inca Lilies have an extensive range of colours in white, salmon, pink, orange, golden yellow, purple and red. Inca flowers have no fragrant and blooms in loose clusters (looks a lot like azaleas) during spring and summer. The flower has three sepals and three streaky petals. The leaves are bright green and twisted.
Inca lilies need little maintenance as they are quite hardy and frost tolerant. They thrive in warm, deep, well-drained nutrient-rich soil, and needs full to partial sun depending on the climate. The plant does not bloom if it gets too hot. You need to water them more regularly in hot conditions to keep the soil moist. Top-dress them in the fall with peat.
You can propagate these lilies by dividing the rhizomes during spring, make sure to cut them back first, 15 days before dividing them. When propagating by seed, you need to soak them for 12 hours before covering with soil in a tray. The seeds take a long time to germinate and only about 20% of them will sprout which could be planted out after six weeks.
The Inca lily can be successfully grown both indoors and outdoors. They make perfect cut flowers as they are long lasting (2-3 weeks vase life).
