How to Grow Amaryllis For the Holidays

Amaryllis is the perfect holiday flower to grow indoors throughout the winter season. It can be started around November 10th to bloom for Christmas or December 20th for delicate Valentine's Day blooms. Discover some easy tips to make your amaryllis bloom beautifully, bringing vibrant color and cheer to your winter celebrations!

Why Is Amaryllis Grown for the Holidays?

Amaryllis has historically been grown as a Christmas bloom because of its dazzling and unique shape available in shades of red and white. The star-shaped flowers sit atop a long, upright stem that sometimes resembles a shepherd's staff. This symbolic tie to the Christmas story has resulted in many varieties receiving names related to the holiday as well, further connecting this beautiful flower to the holiday season. In addition to Christmas, amaryllis is also popularly grown for Valentine's Day in shades of red, white, and pink.

How to Grow Amaryllis for Christmas and Valentine's Day

Growing amaryllis is easy as they are perfect for indoor container growing. By planting them indoors, you are able to grow them on a set schedule that forces their bloom window to fall within your holiday celebrations. For Christmas blooming, be sure to secure your amaryllis bulbs as soon as possible! They should be planted around November 10th. While they can be planted later, they may bloom closer to New Year’s. We expect to receive our bulbs this week so we can ship them to you as soon as possible. To have them blooming by Valentine’s Day, be sure to plant around December 20th.

Planting Amaryllis Bulbs Indoors

• 1. Select a container with drainage holes and fill it with fresh potting soil mix. Or, make your own by hydrating coco coir and mixing in some perlite.
• 2. Bury your bulb with the pointed end facing up and the upper 1/3rd uncovered with the soil gently packed around it.
• 3. Water well, but with good drainage. The bulbs will use little water until they begin to sprout. Water as needed, with the frequency increasing as the stem develops. Overwatering early on can lead to damping off.
• 4. Place in a location that receives bright, indirect light. Keep in mind amaryllis prefers warm climates, so avoid placing it in a cold or drafty spot.

Helpful Tips and Tricks for Growing Amaryllis

Longer Blooms - Keep them cozy and warm as they grow. Growing amaryllis in an environment that stays about 70-75°F is ideal. Once they bloom, move them somewhere slightly cooler. This will help the blooms to last a bit longer.

Feed Them - Like all plants, amaryllis needs food to thrive. Once leaves begin to develop, apply a balanced but light fertilizer every 2-4 weeks to encourage stronger and healthier growth.

Even Growth - The natural growth habit of amaryllis developing long stems with large blooms at the top can lead to the plants leaning towards light. To maintain straight upward growth, turn your amaryllis plants every few days to prevent it from obviously leaning to one side.