Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’: A Compact Peruvian Lily with Brilliant Red Blooms
Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ bursts with saturated, cherry-red blooms, each flared with a sunny yellow throat and fine burgundy stripes. This compact Peruvian Lily brings months of color to beds, borders, and patio pots, yet it stays neat and low. Although gardeners know it as Peruvian Lily, Lily Of The Incas, or Inca Lily, it is not a true lily. It belongs to the Alstroemeriaceae family, and its genus name, Alstroemeria, honors the Swedish botanist Clas Alströmer. In the landscape, ‘Colorita® Kate®’ forms a dense, glossy mound and flowers from late spring well into autumn, providing steady, photo-worthy color with very little fuss.
Meet Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’
This selection comes from the Colorita® series bred by Royal Van Zanten in the Netherlands. The cultivar code is ‘Zaprikate’, and it holds U.S. Plant Patent PP25,214. The plant was chosen for compact size, strong branching, and an exceptional bloom count in heat. Each flower is trumpet-shaped and long-lasting, with petals that act like landing lights for pollinators. The foliage offers its own curiosity: Alstroemeria leaves twist 180 degrees as they develop (botanists call this resupinate foliage), so the undersides appear on top and catch light in a soft sheen.
At maturity, expect a tidy clump about 30–45 cm tall (12–18 in) and 30–60 cm wide (12–24 in). The habit stays rounded and self-supporting, so you can mass several plants for a low ribbon of color or drop a single plant into a favorite urn. Because the flowers last and the stems stay sturdy, Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ also excels as a cut flower for casual bouquets.
Flowering season and growth habit
When temperatures warm in late spring, tight green buds begin to rise above the foliage. Soon, clusters open in waves. With light grooming, you can keep this show going until the first hard frost. Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ grows from underground rhizomes and expands slowly outward each season, forming a fuller cushion of stems. You won’t need stakes. You won’t need constant deadheading, either, because the plant responds best when you remove entire spent stems from the base, which triggers new flowering shoots.
Why gardeners love Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’
Gardeners reach for this plant because it combines the drama of a tropical bloomer with the discipline of a compact perennial. It thrives in containers, yet it also performs in the ground. Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ tolerates bright sun in cool climates and handles partial shade where summers run hot. It gives a long vase life indoors, often outlasting most home-grown cut flowers. And unlike true lilies, this Peruvian Lily does not bring the same pet toxicity concerns, though you should still keep pets from chewing plants and wear gloves if your skin is sensitive to sap.
How to Grow Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’
Light
Give it full sun to partial shade. In cool or coastal regions, plant it in full sun to maximize bloom. In hotter interiors, provide morning sun with light afternoon shade. Aim for 6–8 hours of direct light in temperate summers; in hot summers, 4–6 hours of morning light plus bright, open shade in the afternoon protects petals from scorch.
Soil
Place it in fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A loose loam with steady moisture suits this plant best. Target a pH from 6.0 to 7.0. In heavy clay, open the soil with coarse grit and compost. In very sandy beds, add compost to hold moisture and nutrients. Good drainage matters; soggy soil invites rhizome rot.
Watering
Water deeply and then allow the top 2–3 cm (¾–1 in) of soil to dry before you water again. During establishment, soak the root zone once or twice weekly, delivering about 8–10 L (2–2.5 US gal) per plant each time. In midsummer heat, check more often, especially for container plants that dry quickly. Early-day watering keeps foliage dry overnight and helps prevent fungal issues.
Feeding
Feed for stamina and bloom. At planting, incorporate 2–3 L (½–¾ US gal) of compost per plant into the backfill. In spring, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at label rates. Through peak flowering, a weekly liquid feed with higher potassium (a tomato-type feed) supports bud formation without pushing soft, leafy growth. Avoid heavy, high-nitrogen formulas that trade flowers for foliage.
Temperature and hardiness
This selection performs in USDA Zones 7a–10b. In Zone 7, provide winter mulch for reliable return. The crown tolerates light freezes, but deep, extended cold can damage rhizomes. In colder climates, treat it as a summer container perennial and overwinter the pot in a frost-free space at 2–7°C (35–45°F) with minimal water.
Humidity and airflow
‘Colorita® Kate®’ handles average garden humidity. Space plants to allow a light breeze through the foliage. Good airflow dries leaves after a rain and helps keep thrips and fungal spots in check.
Planting and spacing
Plant in spring once the soil warms, or in autumn in mild climates. Set crowns 2–3 cm (¾–1 in) below the soil surface. Space plants 30–45 cm apart (12–18 in) so mounds can knit without crowding. Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil around the rhizomes.
Mulching
Apply a 5–7 cm (2–3 in) ring of organic mulch, keeping it a few centimeters from the stems. Mulch moderates soil temperature, conserves moisture, and curbs weeds. Renew the layer each spring after you tidy winter foliage.
Staking and grooming
You rarely need stakes because Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ stems are short and strong. For the longest flowering run, remove entire spent stems by grasping low and giving a gentle tug or by cutting cleanly at the base. This “pull, don’t snip the head” method stimulates new flowering shoots from the crown.
Container culture
This plant shines in pots, window boxes, and troughs. Choose a container at least 30–35 cm wide (12–14 in) with large drainage holes. Use a high-quality, peat-free potting mix with 10–20% added perlite for extra drainage. Water when the top 2–3 cm (¾–1 in) feel dry. Feed container plants more often, either with a slow-release prill at planting plus a monthly liquid feed, or with a light liquid feed every 10–14 days through summer. Rotate pots a quarter turn every couple of weeks for even growth.
Design ideas with Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’
Think of this Peruvian Lily as a compact color engine. It thrives as a “filler” in mixed containers with a tall grass or canna as the thriller and a trailing bacopa or calibrachoa as the spiller. In the ground, it plays well at the front of sunny borders where you want a season-long highlight. Pair it with blue catmint, lavender, or Salvia for cool contrast, or echo its warmth with golden yarrow and tangerine Crocosmia. In contemporary spaces, plant three in a row in a low, modern trough for a clean block of color.
Environmental tolerances
Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ loves regular moisture, yet it handles short dry spells once established. It takes heat and humidity better than many bedding perennials, which is why it keeps flowering through midsummer. In coastal gardens, it tolerates light salt spray; rinse foliage after storms if needed. In urban plantings, it accepts reflected heat and brief neglect, provided the soil drains and you keep mulch in place.
Cut-flower and harvest tips
Harvest when at least one bloom on the stem has opened and several buds show color. Early morning is best. Strip the lower leaves and place stems in clean water with a floral preservative. In a cool room at 18–21°C (65–70°F), vase life often stretches beyond a week. For continuous supply, pull a few flowering stems every week and groom spent stems from the clumps outside.
Propagation of Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’
Divide mature Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ clumps every two to three years in early spring as new shoots emerge. Lift the clump with a fork, tease apart sections with several shoots and healthy roots, and replant divisions at the same depth with fresh compost worked in. Keep divisions evenly moist until they root in. Because this cultivar carries a U.S. plant patent, asexual propagation for sale is restricted during the patent term. Home gardeners may divide their own plants for personal gardens where local rules allow. Always check current regulations before sharing divisions.
Pests and diseases on Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’
This plant is generally easy, but regular checks keep it pristine. Aphids sometimes gather on tender shoots; a firm spray of water or insecticidal soap resolves most outbreaks. Thrips can mar petals in hot, dry spells; improve airflow, water consistently, and use blue or yellow sticky cards to monitor. Slugs and snails chew leaves where mulch stays soggy; reduce excess mulch and hand-pick at dusk if needed. Fungal root rot develops only in saturated soil, so keep drainage sharp and avoid overwatering. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin; like many cut-flower perennials, Alstroemeria sap can irritate.
Seasonal care calendar
Late winter to early spring: Clear old foliage before new shoots appear. Top-dress with compost and apply a slow-release fertilizer. Divide crowded clumps now if needed.
Spring planting window: Plant or repot once frost danger passes. Water deeply after planting and continue deep, regular watering as buds form.
Early summer: Begin light liquid feeds every 1–2 weeks in containers. Groom by pulling entire spent stems at the base to cue rebloom.
Midsummer: Maintain an even soil-moisture rhythm. In very hot regions, provide afternoon shade or move pots where they get morning sun and bright shade later.
Early autumn: Continue grooming to extend flowering into fall. Reduce liquid feeds as nights cool. In Zone 7, apply winter mulch after the first hard frost.
Winter: In mild zones, clumps rest but often keep a few green leaves. In colder zones, protect crowns with mulch; in very cold areas, overwinter containers in a frost-free garage and water sparingly to prevent complete dry-down.
Site selection, spacing, and companions
Choose a spot you pass every day so you can enjoy the flower show and keep up with quick grooming. Space Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ plants about 30–45 cm (12–18 in) apart; a trio planted on that grid creates a cushion of color that reads as one large mound by midsummer. For pollinator value, weave in nectar-rich partners like Gaura, Aster, and catmint. And for a bold warm palette, pair with apricot Hemerocallis or coral Pelargonium. For cooler harmony, lean on blues and purples—lavender, Salvia, and Scabiosa.
Safety and pet notes
Peruvian Lilies are not true lilies. Their flowers do not carry the same severe pet toxicity risk as Lilium and Hemerocallis. Even so, prevent nibbling by pets and children. Ingestion can cause mild stomach upset, and the sap may irritate skin in sensitive individuals. Handle Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ with gloves when dividing or harvesting armfuls for the house.
Performance in containers vs. in-ground
In pots, you control drainage and fertility, and you can position the display where it shines. Use a 30–35 cm (12–14 in) container for a single plant or a 40–45 cm (16–18 in) trough for a trio. In the ground, plants knit into a steady, repeating presence that anchors summer borders. Soil that holds even moisture without waterlogging brings the longest runs of bloom. If your bed dries fast, add a drip line on a timer and mulch after the first deep watering.
Troubleshooting guide
Few flowers in midsummer: Check light. Move containers to brighter spots or thin nearby plants that cast shade. Review feeding; switch to a higher-potassium liquid feed for four weeks.
Scorched petals in heat waves: Provide Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ with afternoon shade or a movable shade cloth, and water early in the morning to reduce stress.
Plants flop or open in the middle: Increase light and reduce nitrogen. Pull, don’t snip, spent stems to stimulate even, basal regrowth.
Yellowing lower leaves: Usually water rhythm or nutrient imbalance. Deep-soak less often rather than sprinkling. Top-dress with compost and resume a balanced feed.
Pale flowers: Containers may be root-bound or underfed. Step up to a slightly larger pot (no more than 5 cm / 2 in wider) and refresh the potting mix. Resume regular feeding.
Key specs for planners
Height 30–45 cm (12–18 in). Spread 30–60 cm (12–24 in). Spacing 30–45 cm (12–18 in). Bloom season late spring to frost. Light full sun to partial shade. USDA Zones 7a–10b, with winter mulch in Zone 7. Best uses for Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ include front-of-border ribbons, terrace pots, window boxes, and cutting gardens.
Why Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’ earns its place
You want a plant that looks like summer every single day yet asks for simple care. And you want flowers for the table without sacrificing color in the border. Yet, you want a compact, heat-season workhorse that behaves in containers and keeps blooming after many annuals tire out. Plant Alstroemeria ‘Colorita® Kate®’, give it sun, sharp drainage, and a steady watering rhythm, and enjoy months of cheerful red flowers that make the whole garden feel more alive. After just one season, you will understand why this compact Peruvian Lily has become a go-to for designers and home gardeners alike.
