Amaryllis planting tips for holiday blooms

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I cannot walk into a nursery or florist at this time of year without taking home a holiday plant or two. Amaryllis bulbs fall high on my list. I also usually include a poinsettia, paperwhites, and other favourites. I feel like holiday blooms are festive necessities like the retro decorations I’ve had since I was a kid!

One of these days I’ll plan ahead enough to order an amaryllis bulb online! These beauties are pretty gorgeous!

Some years, I plant my amaryllis from a bulb, but others I opt for a plant that has already been potted and looks promising in terms of growth. I look for straight, sturdy stems. I also give the plant a good once over to make sure I’m not bringing home any pests to my other plants. Last year I almost grabbed a potted amaryllis bulb and it had fungus gnats flying around it!

If you bring an amaryllis bulb home to plant yourself, here are some planting tips.

Soak the bulb’s roots in lukewarm water for a few hours.
Plant the bulb in a container that’s only an inch or so larger than the bulb itself, using a lightweight potting soil. When planted, the top third of the bulb should remain above the soil.
Place the pot in a warm spot in direct light, and only water it when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Once the bud and leaves appear, begin to water it more thoroughly.
It takes about six to 10 weeks for an amaryllis to bloom.

I loved the frilly blooms on this amaryllis.

I usually gravitate towards a holiday-red hue, this white amaryllis was absolutely stunning!

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One Response to Amaryllis planting tips for holiday blooms

Gail says:
November 2, 2018 at 10:48 am
My Red Lion was amazing last year and is beginning to sprout again now…I think I need another Amaryllis to keep it company. A white one or a few pink ones maybe?
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