Alstroemeria 'Inca Ice'
Alstroemeria ‘Inca Ice’ (trade name for cultivar ‘Koice’) is a hardy garden Peruvian lily valued for long, apricot‑cream blooms on sturdy stems. Its standout trait is better cold tolerance than many garden alstroemerias, with reports of surviving unusually cold snaps when mulched and sited well. Plants form clumps and flower over a long season in most North American gardens. Performance is best in full sun to light afternoon shade with evenly moist, well‑drained soil. Treat it as a perennial in the milder parts of the region and as a borderline‑hardy perennial in colder areas.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Inca Series (garden alstroemeria)
- Height × spread: 24-36 in × 24-36 in (60-90 cm × 60-90 cm)
- Bloom window: early summer to fall
- Color & flower form: soft apricot‑cream with yellow throats and freckles; lily‑like umbels
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 6-9 (mulch; may persist in 5 in sheltered sites)
- Breeder / Year / Origin: Könst Alstroemeria, unknown, Netherlands
- Cut‑flower notes: sturdy stems; widely used as a garden cut
- Pet safety: generally safe for cats and dogs; sap may irritate skin
How it differs
- More cold‑tolerant than typical Alstroemeria hybrids.
- Pastel apricot‑cream blooms instead of the brighter jewel tones common on the pillar page.
- Long, cut‑worthy stems compared with many compact patio types.
- Flowers steadily from early summer into fall in suitable conditions.
Strengths
- Long bloom season.
- Sturdy stems suitable for cutting.
- Good performance in sun with even moisture.
- Reported survival of brief severe cold when mulched.
Care in one minute
- Site in full sun to light afternoon shade; shelter from harsh winds.
- Soil: fertile, loose, and well‑drained; avoid water‑logging.
- Water evenly during the growing season; do not let pots dry out.
- Feed lightly in spring, then monthly with a balanced fertilizer during peak growth.
- Deadhead by removing spent flowering stems at the base; avoid frequent division.
- In zones 5-6, apply a deep winter mulch after hard frost.
Watch‑outs
- Borderline hardy where winters drop well below 0°F; provide deep winter mulch.
- Brittle, fleshy roots resent disturbance.
- Slugs, snails and spider mites may be problems in some gardens.
Best uses (tags)
- cutting
- borders
- containers
- late season
Provenance note
Trade name INCA ICE for cultivar ‘Koice’, a selection from the Inca Series bred by Könst Alstroemeria (Netherlands). Often sold simply as ‘Inca Ice’ in North America.
