How to Grow Alstroemerias
Alstroemeria
When to Start
Sow indoors 7 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after frost risk has passed and soil reaches 10°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Balanced feed in spring. Mulch with compost.
- One of the best cut flowers — long vase life. Pull, don't cut, stems. Can take a year to establish.
Companion Planting
—
Growing Conditions
Get a personalized schedule for Alstroemerias based on your exact frost dates
Start planning freeEnter your last frost date to see your dates
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
Want your full season plan with reminders? Try Leaftide free
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Sow depth | 1 cm |
| Mature height | 80 cm |
| Mature spread | 50 cm |
Spreads via rhizomes to form clumps. Give them ample space to naturalize. Spacing can be increased to 50 cm for larger varieties.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Balanced feed in spring. Mulch with compost.
- Watch for
-
- Slugs on young growth
- Red spider mite under glass
- Generally trouble-free outdoors
Pests & Diseases
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Ragged holes in young shoots and leaves. Slime trails on foliage and surrounding soil. New growth can be destroyed before it emerges.
- Apply organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate) around emerging shoots in spring
- Use beer traps or copper tape around clumps
- Encourage hedgehogs, frogs, and ground beetles
- Apply ferric phosphate slug pellets around plants
Pest Red Spider Mite
Identification: Fine stippling on upper leaf surfaces. Leaves become dull and bronzed. Fine webbing visible on undersides in severe infestations.
- Introduce the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis under glass
- Mist foliage regularly to raise humidity
- Spray with insecticidal soap
- Spray with a miticide if biological control is insufficient
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of green or black insects on shoot tips and flower buds. Sticky honeydew and distorted growth.
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Encourage ladybirds and lacewings
- Spray with insecticidal soap
- Spray with a pyrethrin-based insecticide if infestations are severe
Disease Alstroemeria Mosaic Virus Alstroemeria mosaic virus (AlMV)
Symptoms: Yellow streaking or mottling on leaves. Distorted growth and reduced flowering. Plants gradually decline in vigour.
Treatment: No cure. Remove and destroy infected plants to prevent spread. Do not propagate from affected stock.
Prevention: Buy virus-free stock from reputable nurseries. Control aphids which spread the virus. Sterilise tools between plants.
Disease Grey Mould Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fuzzy grey fungal growth on flowers, stems, and leaves, especially in damp conditions. Affected tissue turns brown and rots.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected material promptly. Improve air circulation around plants.
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering. Space plants well. Remove dead foliage promptly. Ensure good ventilation under glass.
Disease Root Rot Pythium spp.
Symptoms: Yellowing foliage, wilting despite moist soil, and mushy brown rhizomes when lifted.
Treatment: Lift affected clumps, cut away rotten rhizomes, and replant healthy sections in fresh, well-drained soil.
Prevention: Ensure excellent drainage at planting time. Add grit to heavy clay soils. Avoid waterlogging, especially in winter.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 10°C |
| Germination temperature | 18–22°C |
| Base growth temperature | 8°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10.5h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Alstroemerias?
- Plant Alstroemerias 30cm apart with 45cm between rows.
- When does Alstroemerias flower?
- Alstroemerias typically flowers approximately 75 days after transplanting.
- Is Alstroemerias frost hardy?
- Alstroemerias is classified as Half Hardy.
Plan Alstroemerias in your garden — get personalized frost-date scheduling
Start planning free