Garden Care Guide

Peruvian Lily Care

Alstroemeria spp.

A showy cut flower known for its long vase life; the flowers are harvested by pulling them from the base rather than cutting. Its roots are delicate, it dislikes being moved, and it goes dormant in Izmir's hot summers.

Half-hardy · -10 °C / 14 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Winter precipitation is generally sufficient; if the soil dries out, keep it lightly moist.
  • Plant protection: Check the newly emerging shoots for snails and slugs.
  • General care: Spread organic mulch (dry leaves, etc.) over the soil to protect the roots from winter cold.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for root rot caused by excess water.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.
February
  • Watering: Winter precipitation is generally sufficient.
  • Fertilizing: Toward the end of the month, begin liquid feeding with a potassium-rich fertilizer (such as tomato fertilizer). Do not overfeed.
  • Plant protection: Check for snails and slugs.
  • General care: Maintain the mulch layer.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure drainage is good against the risk of root rot.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.
March
  • Watering: Keep the soil constantly moist (10-15 L/m² per week); reduce if there is rain.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Harvest flower stalks by pulling them from the base; do not cut them.
  • Plant protection: Against aphids (neem oil).
  • General care: Harvesting flowers encourages the plant to bloom more.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for aphids and fungal diseases (Botrytis).
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, apply a potassium-rich liquid fertilizer.
  • Pruning: Harvest flower stalks by pulling them from the base. Remove yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: Watch out for spider mites, thrips and aphids (abamectin); consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist.
  • General care: Continue regular flower harvesting.
  • Pests & diseases: Control the aphids that carry viruses.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, apply a potassium-rich liquid fertilizer.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Check for spider mites.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Be careful about root rot.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Stop fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: Prepare the plant for summer dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: Stop watering a plant that is entering dormancy to prevent fungal growth.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: Do not disturb the area. The mulch layer on it protects the roots from excessive heat.
  • Pests & diseases: The greatest danger during this period is accidental watering.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Pruning: If needed, remove completely dried stems.
  • General care: Do not disturb the area.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure the soil stays completely dry so the roots do not rot.
November
  • Watering: At the end of the month, if new shoots appear, begin very light watering. Do not water dormant plants.
  • General care: The ideal time for planting new tubers or for separating very crowded roots (if necessary). Remember that the roots are delicate.
  • Pests & diseases: Do not use rotten or diseased tubers during planting.
December
  • Watering: If new shoots have emerged, keep the soil slightly moist; reduce if there is rain.
  • Plant protection: Check the new shoots for snails and slugs.
  • General care: The most suitable month for new planting. Add mulch on top.
  • Pests & diseases: Avoid overwatering after planting.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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