Amaryllis Care Guide: How to Grow Amaryllis at Home

The amaryllis plant, also known as Hippeastrum, is a genus of the Amaryllideae family, and is the only genus in the subtribe Amaryllidinae. Amaryllis is a bulb-grown plant that produces large, funnel-shaped flowers that often bloom in vibrant shades of red. Each amaryllis bulb typically will grow one or two long flower stalks that can bloom anywhere up to twelve amaryllis flowers.

Amaryllis flowers are native to South Africa but are now commonly cultivated in the Netherlands. Home gardeners grow amaryllis for their dramatic appearance, and they are often used as centerpieces for holidays. Amaryllis bulbs do not require a dormant period to rebloom and if they are planted in a native climate they will bloom year-round.

Here are some of the most popular varieties of amaryllis.

1. 1. Athene: This Dutch variety of amaryllis produces two stems and large white flowers that have a sea-foam green edge.
2. 2. Cherry nymph: Cherry nymph flowers bloom in a vibrant cherry red and are a favorite for winter holiday decorations.
3. 3. Clown: This variety blooms in a cheerful white and red striped pattern, and grows well indoors through winter.
4. 4. Evergreen: Evergreen Amaryllis blooms in a bright, apple shade of green and can reach maturity in as little as six weeks.
5. 5. Hercules: Named after the Greek God for their large size, the fuschia flowers on this amaryllis bloom to a size of almost eight inches across.
6. 6. Ferrari: The Dutch ferrari amaryllis blooms in a bright red color from oversized bulbs of 13 to 15 inches wide. The stems can grow up to 26 inches high.
7. 7. Papilio: Papilio amaryllis grows best indoors. Its striated petals resemble the wings of a butterfly, with a high contrast pale green and deep maroon pattern.

Follow these tips for choosing the best amaryllis bulbs.

1. 1. Consider the bulb size. The largest amaryllis bulbs will produce the most flowers, so keep that in mind when you make your bulb selection. Larger bulbs are best for outdoor growing, but if you’re growing in a small indoor container go for a smaller bulb.
   
2. 2. Check for mold. Your amaryllis bulbs should be dry and firm. If the bulb is damp, check for any mold or decay because this can impede the growth of your flower.
3. 3. Check for new growth. Bulbs with early green sprouts and leaves are typically on their way to growing and flowering, so you should choose these bulbs over un-sprouted ones. Make sure the leaves on new bulbs are bright green with no spots or discoloration.
4. 4. Mind the new offshoots. If your bulb has an offshoot root growing from its base, this will eventually become its own amaryllis plant. You can trim the offshoot and propagate it into another plant.

If you live in a climate with harsh frost, plant amaryllis outside after the last frost of spring has passed. However, you can plant it inside at any time of year. Amaryllis is native to South Africa and thrives in USDA hardiness zones between 9 and 11. It is drought-resistant and thrives in a combination of full sun and partial shade.

Amaryllis plants are considered poisonous if they are ingested by humans and pets. It contains the toxic alkaloid lycorine, which primarily causes stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If a pet ingests amaryllis, it can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors, and depression. If your pet has ingested amaryllis, consult your veterinarian.

Here is an overview of how to plant amaryllis indoors.

1. 1. Choose your bulb. You can grow amaryllis from seed but it can take up to five years to mature. If you grow amaryllis from a bulb, they typically mature far quicker in about six to ten weeks.
2. 2. Choose your container. Amaryllis grows well in narrow pots and can be planted in plastic, ceramic, or glass containers. Plant one amaryllis bulb per container to prevent overcrowding.
3. 3. Prepare your soil. Amaryllis prefers organically rich, well-draining soil. You can mix mulch in with your potting mix to achieve this effect, but make sure that the soil has a pH between six and six-and-a-half.
4. 4. Choose your spot. Give your bulb plenty of sunlight to speed up the blooming process before it sprouts. Once it has started to sprout, consider moving it to a place with partial shade to avoid burning its leaves.
5. 5. Soak your bulbs. Soak your bulbs in lukewarm water for four hours before you plant them to jump-start the sprouting process.
6. 6. Plant your bulbs. Dig a hole deep enough to fit the entire bulb of your amaryllis. Place the bulb inside, and cover it with soil until just the top of the bulb is showing then gently pack the soil down. Water your bulb immediately after you plant it. Avoid over-watering it to prevent root rot.
7. 7. Water your bulb and monitor its growth. Water your bulb when the top inch of the soil looks and feels dry before your stem has sprouted. After the stem has started to grow, water your bulb multiple times a week. It should take six to ten weeks to mature.

You can plant your amaryllis bulb directly into soil outdoors, or re-plant a bulb that you started inside in your garden. Here is a guide for how to grow amaryllis outdoors.

1. 1. Choose your bulb. You can grow amaryllis from seed, but the growing process is quicker if you grow from a bulb. You can also re-plant one of your amaryllis bulbs outside in your garden, or simply stick your pot directly into your soil.
2. 2. Pick the right spot. Choose a spot in your garden that gets indirect sunlight. Your bulb will need plenty of sunlight when it’s growing, but you don’t want the sun to burn your plant’s leaves once they sprout.
3. 3. Prepare your soil. Amaryllis prefers organically rich, well-draining soil. You can mix mulch in with your potting mix to achieve this effect, but make sure that the soil has a pH between six and six-and-a-half. If you're planting in the garden, consider using a raised planting box for proper soil drainage.
4. 4. Soka your bulbs. Soak your bulbs in lukewarm water for four hours before you plant them to jump-start the sprouting process.
5. 5. Plant your bulbs. Dig a hole deep enough to fit the entire bulb of your amaryllis. If you’re replanting an existing bulb from a container, gently dig it up and be careful not to compromise the stems. Place the bulb inside, and cover it with soil until just the top of the bulb is showing then gently pack the soil down. If you’re planting multiple bulbs, allow six to twelve inches of space in between them.
6. 6. Water your bulb and monitor its growth. Water your bulb when the top inch of the soil looks and feels dry before your stem has sprouted. After the stem has started to grow, water your bulb multiple times a week. It should take six to ten weeks to mature.

Follow these steps to properly care for your growing amaryllis plant.

1. 1. Water your amaryllis regularly. Water your amaryllis when the top two inches of your soil have dried out. Make sure to keep your soil loose so that it drains well.
2. 2. Fertilize your amaryllis. Once you see growth, start fertilizing your amaryllis. You can apply a soil-style fertilizer once every three to four months or a liquid fertilizer twice monthly.
3. 3. Move your plants indoors once they flower. If you've planted your amaryllis outdoors in a pot, move it indoors and out of the direct sunlight once your flowers start to bloom. This will prevent the sun from damaging its new petals.

Amaryllis bulbs do not require a dormancy period and if they are left alone in a friendly climate they can continue to bloom. However, you can control the amaryllis bloom time by forcing a dormancy period. This can be helpful if you live in a climate with harsh frost, which your amaryllis will not tolerate, and you want to replant it the following season. Here is an overview of how to control amaryllis bloom.

1. 1. Move your plant indoors. Once the summer has passed, move your plant from its outdoor spot to a cool dark indoor place like a basement or closet that has a temperature between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. 2. Leave your plant alone. Allow your plant to sit in the dark for 8 to 12 weeks without watering or fertilizing it. Inspect your plant regularly for mold and treat with fungicide.
3. 3. Prune your dried leaves. Once the leaves and flowers begin to turn brown, prune your plant down to its stem.
4. 4. Bring your plant into the sun. After eight to 12 weeks, bring your potted amaryllis back out into a sunny window or other sunny location. You can also re-pot it in new soil. Water and fertilize your plant immediately. Your amaryllis should rebloom in four to six weeks.

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