Amaryllis – an extraordinary holiday plant

Tue. Dec. 17, 2019

Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Amaryllis – an extraordinary holiday plant

What are the holidays without Amaryllis?  Not quite as lovely!  And what a spectacular hostess gift!!

Amaryllis ‘Striped Amadeus’ by American Meadows
  • Choose large, firm bulbs – grapefruit size will give you the most blooms for your buck
Amaryllis Bulb – Colorblends.com
  • Before bloom, keep your Amaryllis in a sunny window away from cold drafts.

    Easy to Grow Bulbs website
  • When the flower buds start to show color, move your plant OUT of direct sunlight to a bright, indirect sunlit area
  • Water well, letting the water drain out the bottom, then let it dry out before watering again.
  • Cooler temps in lower light levels will prolong the blooms
  • Once the bloom is gone, you can treat it like a sun-loving houseplant.
  • Cut the blooms off so they don’t form seeds

    Amaryllis gone to seed
  • Leave the foliage till it’s yellowed
  • When it warms up in Spring, you can plant your amaryllis, pot and all, in a sunny spot
  • Bring back into the house before the first frost
  • Store in a dark closet with no water for 8 to 12 weeks, letting the bulbs rest
  • When new growth starts, repeat above process!

There are SO many choices!!!

Grand diva

How about a little “United Nations”?

And then there’s ‘Stardust’ and ‘Susan’

Amaryllis ‘Susan’ by Amaryllis and Caldium

and  something completely different, ‘Rilona’ .

Amaryllis ‘Rilona’

Other selections from years past….

‘Ice Queen’
Amaryllis ‘Rainbow’ – Amaryllis Bulb Company