How to Grow An Amaryllis Bulb

Each fall, bare and preplanted amaryllis bulbs (Hippeastrum) are sold everywhere from garden centers to catalogs to grocery stores. Here’s what to do to so your new amaryllis grows and blooms this holiday season. You will be forcing it to bloom in mid winter instead of at its normal time. The bulb is basically preprogrammed to grow and bloom, so it is easy to do.

Allow about six to eight weeks from planting to bloom time. Select a good quality bulb, bigger is better. Plant it with the pointed end up so it is half covered with soil. Water generously once, and set in a warm (70 to 75 degree) and sunny place. Wait for it to grow. Once it begins growing, water as needed to keep the soil slightly damp (not sopping wet) and turn the pot every day to keep the stem growing straight up. Then, enjoy the flowers!

To keep your amaryllis looking nice as long as possible, promptly cut off the individual faded flowers. When all the flowers on a stem have faded, cut off the stem. A big healthy bulb will send up two (or possibly more) flower stems. The flowers last longer if your room temperature is on the cool side, say 65 degrees. Water to keep the soil moist while the plant is blooming, this helps the flowers last longer. Also protect it from drafts, either hot or cold.

Your bulb may begin to grow leaves before, during or after it blooms. That is normal.

When your amaryllis finally stops flowering, you have a choice. You can throw away the bulb or you can try to keep it for next year. Here’s directions on How to Rebloom An Amaryllis Bulb plus Amaryllis Growing Tips for more help and troubleshooting advice in case you are having problems.

More ideas for winter blooming flowers to grow indoors.

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