Grow Amaryllis Bulbs

This is an Amaryllis bulb properly potted and resting before it grows again. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Grow Amaryllis Bulbs

They are starting to pop up all over the place, those ugly large flower bulbs often offered bare root in mesh bags and gift boxes. Recently I saw some already potted and growing; the challenge is timing it so they bloom as they are being given as gifts.

Amaryllis, the South American cousins to our North American perennial surprise lilies, are a popular holiday gift. I have a number of them living in inside pots currently resting. They will start growing and blooming again shortly, adding the beauty of their flowers to a gray January.

How to Grow Amaryllis

Amaryllis are very easy to grow. The key is to correctly plant them in a pot with only the bottom one third of the bulb covered in soil.

Once planted in a pot about an inch wider than the bulb, pat the soil firmly. Water.

I add spanish moss to cover the bulb.

Place in a warm spot with indirect light. Within a week, a green bud tip should begin to appear.

Amaryllis greenery, left, and a new bud growing out of a bulb. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

If the bulb has been properly nourished and rested. it will have saved enough energy in the bulb to re-bloom. Sometimes purchased bulbs are not seasoned enough and will only grow green leaves.

Within a couple of weeks, the flower stalk will grow, Water every couple of days to keep soil moist but not wet. Once the bud reaches 20 inches, a flower will appear. It’s good to stake the bud before it blooms because the weight of the flower can make it topple over.

Sometimes you may find an amaryllis bud sneaking out of the gift box, like this.

Amaryllis bulb in early bud. Once exposed to sun, the stem will grow straight. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Popular and easy to find varieties include red, white, coral and pink and white. In this example, this is an Apple Blossom Amaryllis.

Apple Blossom Amaryllis bulbs tend to bloom for me in January. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

When the blooming is over, cut off the flower stalks but keep it watered so leaves appear. Let the leaves grow until they turn yellow on their own. The leaves are collecting sun they turn into energy and store in the bulb for blooming again.

Once all leaves are gone, let the bulb rest. Don’t water it or place in sun. After a couple of months, repot in new soil, water and wait for the magic to begin again.

Amaryllis are easy to grow and a lot of fun to watch as they go from bud to flower, seemingly growing overnight. When I see the flowers in the middle of winter, I can easily dream of meadows and of the promise of spring.

I also like that with a little care, they can keep on growing year after year. So if you see them on sale, don’t pass them up, they are worth the investment of time and effort.

Charlotte