Buy Alstroemeria Plants Online Australia

Alstroemeria — known variously as Peruvian lily, princess lily, and lily of the Incas — is one of the most prolific and rewarding flowering perennials you can grow in an Australian garden. Where most plants give you a few weeks of flowers each year, Alstroemeria delivers a continuous succession of blooms from spring right through to autumn, often without a significant pause. In warmer, frost-free Australian climates, they can flower for even longer — sometimes year-round. They are also among the finest cut flowers available to Australian home gardeners, with a vase life of two weeks or more — longer than roses, longer than most perennials, and rivalling flowers that cost many times as much from a florist.

Native to the cooler mountain slopes and coastal zones of South America — particularly Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina — Alstroemeria has been extensively hybridised over the past few decades, producing compact, free-flowering, garden-tough cultivars that perform reliably across Australia's temperate, warm temperate, and subtropical climate zones. Today's garden varieties are a far cry from the tall, floppy species plants of the past: our range of Princess Lily cultivars grows to between 20–40cm in most cases, requires no staking, and produces extraordinary quantities of flowers relative to their size.

At Online Plants, our horticultural team has selected six Alstroemeria varieties specifically for their reliability, flowering performance, and suitability for Australian garden conditions — from the mild gardens of Victoria and South Australia to the warmer growing conditions of coastal Queensland and New South Wales. Every plant is dispatched directly to your door in growing condition and backed by our 30-day guarantee to grow.

What makes Alstroemeria such an exceptional garden plant?

Few perennials match Alstroemeria for the combination of qualities it brings to the Australian garden. The flowers themselves are extraordinary — trumpet-shaped blooms borne in clusters at the top of sturdy stems, each petal uniquely streaked and flecked with contrasting markings that create an almost hand-painted appearance. The colour range across our six varieties spans vibrant orange, rich coral-pink, deep red, soft romantic pink, creamy white, and purplish-pink — giving you the full spectrum from bold to refined.

Beyond their ornamental value in the garden, Alstroemeria is a cut flower of genuine professional quality. Florists prize them for their two-week-plus vase life, the structured form of the flower clusters, and the wide colour range that complements virtually any arrangement style. Growing your own means an unlimited supply of long-lasting cut flowers throughout the growing season — and unlike most cut flowers, the more stems you harvest (by pulling from the base rather than cutting), the more new growth the plant produces.

Alstroemeria is also non-fragrant, which makes it an excellent choice for gardeners who find heavily scented flowers difficult, and for households where cut flowers need to be enjoyed in enclosed spaces. The leaves display a fascinating botanical quirk: they grow inverted, twisting 180 degrees from the base as they unfurl in a process called resupination, giving the foliage a distinctive, upward-facing appearance that adds to the plant's ornamental character.

Our 6 Alstroemeria varieties — expert descriptions

Alstroemeria Theresa Alstroemeria 'Princess Theresa' Best for: Borders, pots, cottage gardens, cutting Height: 30–40cm Colour: Soft pink with delicate streaks Blooms: Spring–autumn Key trait: Top recommendation for beginners

One of our most popular varieties — Alstroemeria Theresa produces an abundance of soft pink blooms with the characteristic delicate streaking that makes Alstroemeria such a distinctive cut flower. Growing to around 30–40cm, it forms a dense, tidy clump ideal for garden borders, mixed cottage plantings, and pot culture. Our horticultural team recommends Theresa as the first choice for gardeners new to growing Alstroemeria — reliable, free-flowering, and adaptable to a wide range of Australian garden conditions from spring through autumn.

Alstroemeria Louise Alstroemeria 'Princess Louise' Best for: Borders, shaded positions, cutting, mixed arrangements Height: To 40cm Colour: Purplish-pink with creamy-yellow inner Blooms: Summer–autumn Key trait: Shade-tolerant; sophisticated colour

Louise delivers one of the most sophisticated colour combinations in the range — purplish-pink outer petals with creamy-yellow inner petals adorned with distinctive purple-brown flecks. Growing to approximately 40cm and clump-forming with lance-shaped mid-green leaves, Louise is an excellent border perennial that performs particularly well in positions receiving some afternoon shade during the hottest months of the Australian summer. Also outstanding as a cut flower, where the purple-pink and cream contrast is especially effective in arrangements.

Alstroemeria Lisa Alstroemeria 'Princess Lisa' Best for: Bold borders, mixed beds, cutting, colour contrast Height: 30–40cm Colour: Coral-pink with yellow throat Blooms: Spring–autumn Key trait: Most vibrant — maximum colour impact

The most boldly coloured variety in our range — Lisa produces striking coral-pink flowers with a contrasting yellow throat that creates a vivid two-tone effect. This is the variety our team reaches for when colour impact and border drama are the priority. Compact and clump-forming, it works beautifully in mixed planting schemes alongside white-flowering perennials and ornamental grasses, where the coral-pink provides strong seasonal contrast. Exceptional cut flower with an assertive, warm-toned colour palette well-suited to casual, natural arrangements.

Alstroemeria Katiana Alstroemeria 'Princess Katiana' Best for: Small gardens, pots, balconies, courtyards Height: To 30cm Colour: Rich red with cream markings Blooms: Late spring–summer Key trait: Most compact — ideal for pots

A compact, particularly free-flowering variety prized for its rich red funnel-shaped flowers with cream markings on the upper petals — a striking and unusual combination in the red flowering perennial category. Katiana grows to just 30cm tall and produces creamy-white margins on its dark green, lance-shaped foliage, adding extra ornamental interest between flowering periods. Our team recommends it as the best compact Alstroemeria for small gardens, pots, balconies, and courtyard containers. Minimum order of 3 plants in 14cm pots applies for this variety.

How to grow Alstroemeria in Australia — expert care guide

Alstroemeria is more straightforward to grow in Australian gardens than many people assume. The key requirements are good drainage, reasonable fertility, adequate sun, and the right harvesting technique. Here is our complete guide:

•    Climate: Alstroemeria thrives across most of Australia's temperate, warm temperate, and subtropical zones — including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra. In the hottest months of summer, flowering may slow or pause briefly in very warm areas, then resumes vigorously as temperatures ease. In frost-free climates, plants can flower for much of the year. In frost-prone areas, mulch the root zone generously over winter to protect the tuberous roots.
•    Position: Full sun produces the most abundant flowering. In the hottest and driest Australian regions — inland NSW, the Adelaide Plains in summer — afternoon shade is beneficial to protect blooms from scorching. All six of our varieties perform well in full sun to partial shade positions across the temperate and warm temperate zones.
•    Soil: Alstroemeria grows from tuberous, fleshy roots that demand excellent drainage — waterlogged soil causes root rot and is the most common cause of plant failure. Before planting, enrich the soil with generous quantities of well-rotted compost or organic matter. Raised beds are ideal in gardens with heavier clay soils. Soil pH of 6.0–7.0 is preferred. Do not bury the tubers too deeply — just below the soil surface is correct, with care not to cover any emerging shoots.
•    Planting spacing: Space plants 30–50cm apart depending on variety. The compact varieties (Katiana, Fabiana) can be planted closer; Theresa, Louise, Lisa, and Colorita Eliane benefit from 40–50cm spacing to allow the clumps to develop. Alstroemeria naturally spreads over time and establishes increasingly large flowering clumps as the years progress.
•    Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, particularly during the growing and flowering season (spring through autumn). Alstroemeria is moderately drought-tolerant once established but produces significantly more flowers with regular, consistent moisture. Mulching around the root zone helps maintain soil moisture, moderates soil temperature, and suppresses competing weeds.
•    Fertilising: Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring as growth begins. During the flowering season, a weekly or fortnightly application of a high-potassium (high-potash) liquid fertiliser encourages heavier and more continuous flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers during the growing season — they promote soft, lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
•    Harvesting and deadheading — the most important care technique: To harvest cut flowers or remove spent blooms, always pull the entire stem from the base with a gentle twisting motion rather than cutting it off with secateurs. This signals the plant to produce new stems from the base and is the single most important technique for maintaining continuous flowering. Cutting stems at the top does not trigger the same growth response. Always harvest when the first flower on a stem is opening and the remaining buds are showing colour — vase life will be two weeks or more.
•    Division: After several years, established clumps can be divided to create additional plants or to rejuvenate declining flowering. Divide in winter during dormancy. Lift carefully with a garden fork — the tuberous roots are fragile and should be handled gently. Replant divisions immediately into well-prepared soil and keep consistently moist during re-establishment.
•    Pests: Alstroemeria has very few pest and disease problems in Australian conditions. Slugs and snails can damage new growth, particularly after rain — apply iron-based bait if needed. Aphids and whiteflies are occasional visitors; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations build. The plants are rarely troubled by fungal disease when grown with adequate air circulation.

Alstroemeria as cut flowers — tips for maximum vase life

•    Harvest at the right stage: Cut when the first flower on the cluster is opening and remaining buds are coloured but still closed. This maximises vase life.
•    Pull, don't cut: Pull the entire stem from the base rather than cutting. This stimulates new stem production in the garden and provides a longer stem for the vase.
•    Prepare the stem: Remove all foliage below the water line. Leaving foliage submerged accelerates bacterial growth and shortens vase life.
•    Water freshness: Change vase water every two to three days and re-cut (or re-pull) the stem base each time. With basic care, vase life of two weeks or more is routine.
•    Temperature: Alstroemeria last longest in a cool position — avoid direct sunlight, heaters, and draughts. The cooler the environment, the longer the blooms last.

Why buy Alstroemeria from Online Plants?

•    30-day guarantee to grow on every plant
•    Australia's first and largest online nursery — 20+ years of delivery experience
•    6 varieties hand-selected by our horticultural team for Australian conditions
•    Delivery to VIC, NSW, QLD, SA and ACT — metropolitan and regional areas
•    No minimum order (note: Katiana and Fabiana have a minimum of 3 plants per order in 14cm pots)
•    Free garden design consultation — call 0428 110 584 or email store@onlineplants.com.au

Variety Comparison Table

Variety	Height	Colour	Blooms	Best Use	Cut Flower?	Pot?
Theresa	30–40cm	Soft pink with streaks	Spring–autumn	Borders, pots, cottage	Yes	Yes
Louise	To 40cm	Purplish-pink, cream inner	Summer–autumn	Borders, shaded areas, cutting	Yes	Yes
Lisa	30–40cm	Coral-pink, yellow throat	Spring–autumn	Bold borders, mixed beds	Yes	Yes
Katiana	To 30cm	Red with cream markings	Late spring–summer	Small spaces, borders, pots	Yes	Yes
Fabiana	20–30cm	Creamy-white, yellow & burgundy	Early summer–autumn	Borders, containers	Yes	Yes
Colorita Eliane	30–40cm	Vibrant orange	Spring–autumn	Feature colour, sunny borders	Yes	Yes

 

Frequently Asked Question - FAQs

What is Alstroemeria and why is it called Peruvian Lily?

Alstroemeria is a genus of flowering perennials native to South America, particularly the cooler mountain regions of Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina. It is commonly called Peruvian Lily, Princess Lily, or Lily of the Incas. Despite the 'lily' in its name, Alstroemeria is not a true lily (genus Lilium) — it belongs to the separate family Alstroemeriaceae. It is prized in both gardens and the cut flower trade for its long vase life, distinctive streaked and flecked flowers, wide colour range, and extended flowering season from spring through to autumn in Australian conditions.

How long does Alstroemeria flower in Australia?

In most Australian temperate and warm temperate zones — including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, and Brisbane — Alstroemeria flowers continuously from spring (September) through to autumn (April or May), often with little to no pause during the growing season. In frost-free and subtropical zones, flowering can continue through winter as well. The key to maintaining continuous flowering is regular harvesting or deadheading by pulling the entire stem from the base — this signals the plant to produce new stems and prolongs the flowering season significantly.

How long does Alstroemeria last as a cut flower?

Alstroemeria is one of the longest-lasting cut flowers available to Australian gardeners, with a typical vase life of two weeks or more with basic care. For maximum vase life: harvest when the first flower on the cluster is opening and remaining buds are showing colour; pull (do not cut) the stem from the base; remove all foliage below the water line; change vase water every two to three days; and keep the arrangement in a cool position away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Alstroemeria also has no fragrance, making it ideal for indoor spaces where strongly scented flowers may be unwelcome.

Can Alstroemeria grow in pots in Australia?

Yes — all of our Alstroemeria varieties grow well in containers, and the compact varieties Katiana (to 30cm) and Fabiana (20–30cm) are particularly well-suited to pot culture. Choose a container at least 30–40cm in diameter with excellent drainage, use a premium potting mix, and place in a full sun to part shade position. Water regularly as pots dry out faster than garden beds, feed with a high-potash liquid fertiliser fortnightly during the flowering season, and pull spent stems from the base to encourage continuous new growth. Container-grown Alstroemeria can be moved to shelter during the coldest winter periods in frost-prone areas.

Is Alstroemeria toxic to cats, dogs, or children?

Alstroemeria is listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses by the ASPCA. However, some people — particularly those with sensitive skin — can experience mild skin irritation from the sap when handling stems and foliage. This is sometimes called 'Peruvian lily dermatitis'. If you have sensitive skin, wearing gloves when cutting, harvesting, or dividing Alstroemeria plants is recommended. As with all garden plants, it is advisable to keep young children from putting plant material in their mouths, even with non-toxic species.