Bulbs
Photo by : Lynn Whitt / Shutterstock
With their power to develop with child , vibrantly colored blooms indoors in the depths of winter , amaryllis plant rival the Euphorbia pulcherrima as one of the most popular holiday flowers . The spectacular horn - shaped blooms brighten the dreariest mean solar day and at once banish the winter doldrums . And depending on when you plant it , amaryllis can actually flower through former spring , heighten your home with its floral beauty until the outdoor planting season come .
On this page : Basics|Growing Indoors|Growing Outdoors|Pictures|Buying Tips
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BASICS
Botanical name:
Hippeastrum
Plant type:
A tropical electric-light bulb , native to South Africa and South America .
Zones:
Typically grow indoors ; however , can also be maturate out of doors in the garden as perennials in Robert Lee Frost - free areas of the South and West ( zona 8 - 10 ) .
Bloom time:
When develop outdoors , amaryllis will of course flower in saltation .
Height:
12 to 36 inches
Flower size:
Six to ten inch across , usually get three or four blossom per fore .
Colors/varieties:
Typically in various shades of scarlet , white , pink , babble , or apricot , but there are also many clean , multicolored , and picotee selection ; as well as twice - flower and dwarf diverseness .
Precautions:
All part of the plant life can be toxic if ingested , especially the bulb . Keep by from children and pet .
AMARYLLIS CARE & GROWING: INDOORS
photograph by : Sarycheva Olesia / Shutterstock
When to plant:
October until the conclusion of April . It usually takes six to eight week for amaryllis to bloom . ( Plant in November for New Year ’s prime , February for Easter flowers . )
Planting:
Place the bulb in pot admixture pointed terminate up , with its " neck " and “ shoulders " above the soil surface . Place in a warm , well - lit spot ( such as a south - confront window ) until the bulb sprout . Growth generally start out in two to eight weeks . Succession plant multiple bulbs for uninterrupted blooms throughout winter .
Container:
Choose a toilsome pot , such as stiff or ceramic , to counterbalance the weight of the large bloom . Amaryllis bloom best when pot - limit , so the container should only be an inch or two all-embracing than the medulla . ensure your container has honest drain holes .
Support:
Once your plant takes off , a support post may be needed to hold the flower stanch unsloped .
Soil:
Average potting soil work all right , but the addition of perlite or sand will help to improve drainage and prevent soggy soil .
Water:
Give the bulb a safe lachrymation at planting time , and then water sparingly until growing starts . Overwatering when you first pot an amaryllis can have bulb moulder and poor beginning development . After the plant begins to develop leaf , keep the soil slightly moist . lachrymation once a week should be sufficient , depending on the estrus and humidness in your home .
Lighting/temperature:
Since amaryllis are native to the tropic , warmth and sunshine will advance them to break dormancy . Place fresh potted bulbs in a brightly lit way at 65 ° to 75 ° F. Once they begin blooming , move them out of direct sunlight and into a cool position to draw out the blooming period . Turn the can a little every day to prevent your plant life from leaning toward the light source .
Fertilizer:
A healthy amaryllis bulb incorporate all the nutrient it needs to flower . But if you project to keep your plant for reblooming next yr , feed in it regularly with awater - soluble houseplant plant food .
Growing in water:
It ’s also possible to develop an amaryllis in water in a open glass container . Nestle the tooth root around a basis of pebble and keep the weewee floor no high than the foundation of the bulb , interchange it periodically . Be aware that this growing method can wipe out the bulb ’s reserves , so is not recommended if you want to keep the incandescent lamp for reblooming next year .
After blooming:
After all the flowers have faded , take out the stalks but leave behind the foliage entire . It will grow the fuel the bulb want to bloom again next twelvemonth . With proper forethought , an amaryllis electric light can last for decades , but it require a rest period to replenish its resources . The horticulturists at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offertips on set about your amaryllis to blossom again .
AMARYLLIS CARE & GROWING: OUTDOORS
Photo by : Gau Meo / Shutterstock
set the bulbs in other fall for bloom the following bound . Once indoor - grown works have finished blooming , they can be transplanted outdoors after being step by step acclimated to outdoor temperatures and light .
Where to plant:
Amaryllis will do best when institute in a location that receive partial shade and in well - drain soil .
How to plant:
Plant similar to indoors , neck deep , leaving the top 1/3 of the medulla bond up out of the soil .
Water well at planting and keep moist through the grow season . Somewhat drought resistant once establish .
practice a balanced plant food once increment commence in springtime , following package directions .
Cut back the blossom stalks when done bloom . countenance the foliation die out back completely before removing it ( it is gathering energy for next twelvemonth ’s flowers ) . The bulb can stay in the land untended , where they will continue to re - flower and multiply for years to come .
PICTURES
photograph : Yundengogo / Shutterstock
Giant Amadeus(Hippeastrum‘Giant Amadeus ’ )
Best plus : Double - blooming , with enormous frilly white flowers enhanced by rose - colored veining and pale light-green throats .
exposure : Catherine M Hollander / Shutterstock
Red Lion(Hippeastrum‘Red Lion ’ )
proficient plus : Velvety crimson petals make a breathtaking holiday display .
Also try : Hippeastrum‘Ferrari ’ , another vacation classic with deep red blossom , specify off by snowy anther .
Photo : Sarycheva Olesia / Shutterstock
Minerva(Hippeastrum‘Minerva ’ )
adept asset : Extra - large lipstick - red petals with prominent whitened markings take shape the conformation of a principal . grow up to 2 feet grandiloquent .
Also try : Hippeastrum‘Stargazer ’ , another bright - flushed bloomer with well - define white stars .
exposure : Anne Kitzman / Shutterstock
Apple Blossom(Hippeastrum‘Apple Blossom ’ )
near assets : A midwinter breath of bounce , with creamy lily-white blossoms , indulgent pinkish veining , and lime immature throat . Each peak stalk produces four or more blooms .
photograph : george photo cm / Shutterstock
Alfresco(Hippeastrum‘Alfresco ’ )
Best assets : Sumptuous dual white flowers accented by yellow green - light-green eyes . Shorter , stouter stems provide good relative balance and livelihood .
Photo : Flying Mouse / Shutterstock
Picotee(Hippeastrum‘Picotee ’ )
good assets : Pure lily - white petals sharply draft in red . refined and sophisticated .
BULB BUYING TIPS
WHERE TO BUY AMARYLLIS BULBS ONLINE:
update : 2025-01-20
