Alstroemeria Inticancha Machu

Description and Characteristics

Alstroemeria Inticancha® 'Machu' is a standout compact Peruvian lily variety bred for exceptional flower performance, controlled growth, and long blooming in small spaces. A member of the Inticancha® series—known for their patio-friendly size and prolific blooms—‘Machu’ features exotic bicolour flowers: deep magenta-red petals with creamy yellow throats, boldly marked with dark streaks.

This variety grows to approximately 25–35 cm in height and 30–40 cm in spread, making it ideal for containers, balcony gardens, and small garden borders. Its tuberous roots give it good drought tolerance once established, while its lush foliage forms a tidy, mounding base that supports months of continuous blooms from late spring until the first frost.

• Compact, clump-forming perennial with upright stems

• Exotic bicolour flowers: magenta-red with cream and dark markings

• Long blooming season: May to October

• Excellent in containers, window boxes, and small borders

• Superb cut flower with a long vase life (up to 2 weeks)

• Hardy to approx. -5°C (USDA Zones 8–10); protect in colder climates

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Alstroemeria Inticancha 'Machu' is easy to care for if provided with the right conditions—sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture. Its compact size and strong stems mean it requires no staking and is ideal for low-maintenance planting schemes.

• Sunlight Requirements:

  • Thrives in full sun to light shade

  • In hot summer climates, some afternoon shade helps prevent flower fade

• Soil Preferences:

  • Requires well-drained, fertile soil

  • Performs best in slightly acidic to neutral soil with added organic matter

  • Avoid heavy clay or poorly drained soils, particularly in winter

• Watering Needs:

  • Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist during active growth

  • Avoid waterlogging—good drainage is essential to prevent root or crown rot

  • Allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings in cooler months

• Fertilising:

  • Feed in spring with a slow-release fertiliser

  • Boost flowering with a liquid bloom fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during summer

  • Avoid overfeeding with high-nitrogen fertilisers, which can reduce flowering

• Pruning and Deadheading:

  • Pull (don’t cut) faded flower stems from the base to encourage more blooms

  • Remove yellowing leaves to maintain appearance

  • Cut back foliage lightly in late autumn if overwintering outdoors

• Winter Protection:

  • In colder areas, lift and store tubers in a dry, frost-free location

  • For in-ground plants in Zone 8 or warmer, apply a thick winter mulch

  • Container plants can be overwintered in a cold greenhouse or sheltered area

Uses in Garden Design, Companion Plants, and Pests

With its bold colour and small size, Alstroemeria 'Machu' fits beautifully into modern patios, small urban gardens, and even formal displays. It’s also a popular choice for florists due to its vase longevity and exotic appearance.

• Garden Uses:

  • Perfect for containers, window boxes, raised beds, and front-of-border plantings

  • Highly effective in patio arrangements and balcony gardens

  • Works well as a feature in cut flower beds or seasonal mixed plantings

• Companion Plants:

  • Looks stunning with dwarf salvias, nemesia, diascia, calibrachoa, and osteospermum

  • Pairs beautifully with silver or chartreuse foliage such as helichrysum or lysimachia

  • In containers, combine with trailing plants like bacopa or creeping jenny for a full display

• Cut Flower Qualities:

  • Long vase life: 10–14 days

  • Best to harvest stems by pulling rather than cutting to stimulate regrowth

  • Remove lower leaves before placing in water to prevent bacterial build-up

• Pests and Problems:

  • Generally pest-resistant, though young shoots may attract slugs or aphids

  • Avoid overcrowding to maintain airflow and reduce risk of botrytis or mildew

  • Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot in containers or heavy soils

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.