Peruvian Lily Plant Care

Peruvian Lily (Scilla peruviana) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Scilla genus. Peruvian Lily is native to the western Mediterranean region in Iberia, Italy, and northwest Africa. Peruvian Lily is also known as Portuguese Squill, Cuban Lily.

Peruvian Lily displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Peruvian Lily produces small star-shaped flowers in blue, white, or pink.

Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Peruvian Lily every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Peruvian Lily thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Peruvian Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Scilla peruviana tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Peruvian Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Peruvian Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Peruvian Lily every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Peruvian Lily is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Peruvian Lily can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Peruvian Lily while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Peruvian Lily is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Peruvian Lily can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cilician squill plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Peruvian Lily is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Peruvian Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Peruvian Lily is native to the western Mediterranean region in Iberia, Italy, and northwest Africa. In cooler regions, grow Peruvian Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.