If you ’re attend for something to brighten up your home during the dark wintertime days , an amaryllis ( genus Hippeastrum ) might be a good choice . These unassuming bulb produce awful flowers in a wide range of colour , the outcome of a long history of selective breeding .
Keep reading for everything you need to do it about growing an amaryllis indoors and how to verify yours blooms attractively year after year .
Disclosure : If you shop from my article or make a leverage through one of my links , I may receive commission on some of the products I recommend .
About amaryllis
Taxonomy
Before we discuss amaryllis care , a ready word on taxonomy so we ’re all on the same page about which plant we ’re talking about .
Like many other plants , amaryllis have been the subject of much taxonomic argumentation . They were at first placed in the African genus Amaryllis , but this was later changed to Hippeastrum when it became clean this is a dissimilar species from South America .
vocalize elementary , but it call for over 50 years of argumentation , not to cite that until 1970 the name Leopoldia was also accepted .
Despite the move from the genus Amaryllis ( African spring boo-boo ) to the genus Hippeastrum ( South American winter bloomer ) , the name stuck . We still pertain to the winter bloomer as amaryllis , though without the capitalization that we ’d use for a genus name .
Did you know?
Although some of its vulgar names refer to amaryllis as a lily , they ’re not really come to to true lilies . Their blossom just look likewise !
Natural habitat
Unlike the “ true ” Amaryllis , Hippeastrum is of course found in South America . There are in reality more than 90 different species out there with a very all-encompassing range ( and new ones are described on the regular ! ) , although the enceinte concentration is found in Brazil .
Due to this wide cattle ranch , it is n’t potential to pinpoint a single home ground : some amaryllis species grow in the Torrid Zone , while others are found in temperate climates . Some like the scorching sun , others prefer more shaded spots . weewee and soil needs vary as well .
Description
Despite there being so many dissimilar type of amaryllis , one affair they have in common is their looks . These plants grow from bulbs with a papery exterior and smooth interior .
During the summer months , when it ’s not blossom , an amaryllis will ordinarily sport long green leaves . Once wintertime rolls around and the rosiness appear , these leafage tend to die off . This leave alone only one or multiple thick , straight light-green halt , with any number of large flowers in tad of white , orangish , pinkish , and crimson .
Although it ’s not uncommon for an amaryllis to be reduced to just its medulla for some of the class , this is really a very striking industrial plant when it blooms . It ’s not hard to imagine why it became so popular !
Cultural significance
Amaryllis has an almost 200 - year chronicle , starting from when it was likely first describe in the mid-18th hundred .
The first cross had been develop in England by the early 19th century and the hybridization and selective cultivation of the different species has n’t kibosh since . today , there are amaryllis in many colors , with dissimilar flower shapes , sizes , and numbers .
relate : Get the lowdown on flora taxonomy : cultivars , varieties , hybrid and more
The commercial-grade interest in these plant probably has something to do with their flower time , right in the midsection of wintertime in the Northern Hemisphere . What could be more attractive than a few immense flowers to brighten your house during these gloomy month ?
Like other winter bloomers such asChristmas cactiandCyclamen , amaryllis is now aclassic Christmas flower . The bulbs are wide sold as natural endowment or decorations in ornamental pots and vases .
Amaryllis have become synonymous with the holiday time of year because when they ’re grown as houseplant , they unremarkably flower in December . ( This is in stark contrast to their natural bloom menstruum in summer when they ’re grown outdoors in the ground . )
The jazzy cornet flower come in a grasp of colours ( including bicolor and picotee varieties ) , but red amaryllis tends to be a Christmas favorite .
Amaryllis varieties
Due to the extensive hybridization and selective breeding of Hippeastrum , there are literally hundreds of different cultivars out there , not to mention hybrids between different mintage . More than I could ever discover here !
If you ’d care to explore some of the eternal amaryllis diverseness , the Pacific Bulb Society has aHippeastrum hybrid page .
Here are a few of my deary :
When purchasing amaryllis bulbs for yourself or as gifts , you may go with either an early - blooming South African amaryllis to give birth gorgeous color during the holidays , or a by and by - blossom Dutch amaryllis to brighten up the dark days of January once all the luminousness and ribbon are put away .
Amaryllis bulbs are typically sell as sleeping bareroot bulbs , or pre - potted in soil and ready for showing . You might even come across full bulbs , which are highly democratic as Christmas gifts in the US and Europe .
Where to buy
What are waxed amaryllis bulbs?
Waxed amaryllis bulb are as low - maintenance as they get . An innovation from Holland , the particular wax coating renders them incredibly easy to grow since they call for no water and no soil . All the nutrients they need to set out blossom are packed into that big round bulb , making them ready to produce heyday in as piffling as three to six week after make the consumer .
The wax itself is a cosmetic element , available in many festive colors and designs and incorporating a hidden metal stand to keep the flora upright during bloom .
This same alloy viewpoint also get it potential to display your waxed amaryllis bulb upside - down from a particular brasshanger like this one . When grouped together , hang up amaryllis make for a stunning focal point in a room .
Despite what sounds like a peachy thing , a wax amaryllis bulb is a one - time wonder . Because the wax prevents the electric-light bulb from growing young root , the amaryllis wo n’t endure beyond the bloom period . Once the last flowers slicing , the electric light has to be discarded .
This makes a waxed lightbulb rather expensive compared to an unwaxed bulb , so think of it more like a fresh floral centerpiece that you’re able to enjoy for a few weeks ( and not a houseplant that blossom year after yr ) .
Flowers from full amaryllis bulb also run to be shorter and stockier than their unaltered counterparts . So if you want the traditional grandiloquent amaryllis blossom that last up to six workweek , verify you grease one’s palms an unwaxed bulb that develop in soil .
Caring for amaryllis indoors
The most important matter to keep in mind if you want your amaryllis to thrive prospicient - term is that their needs vary according to the season .
Light and temperature
Your amaryllis will appreciate bright light throughout the year except if you ’re drive blossom ( which I ’ll verbalize more about later ) . They can handle a flake of lineal sun , although lightsome shadowiness is n’t a job either , especially outdoors where the light is strong .
If your amaryllis is flower , it can be helpful to protect it from the strongest beam to avoid damaging the blooms .
The ideal temperature for an amaryllis varies with the seasons as well , though it ’s important to remember that these industrial plant are n’t icing - intrepid . They like to be outside for part of the year , but should be brought back in for blooming once outdoor temperatures drop into the 50s ( Fahrenheit ) .
Water and humidity
For most of the year , your amaryllis will appreciate steady waterings . permit the top few inches of the soil dry out before watering again to prevent it from staying too soggy , but do n’t hold off until the soil is osseous tissue dry . lease surplus water drain from the pot ; bulbs are very sensitive to waste !
When it come to humidity , amaryllis are n’t very demanding . Although they wo n’t appreciate very low-toned humidness , the normal air moisture levels in a habitation should be fine for them .
Soil and planting
Amaryllis bulbs are n’t hard when it comes to container and soil either . Select a planter that ’s only a act heavy than the bulb and has a drainage hole in the bottom . Wet feet can cause incandescent lamp rot !
The soil mixing should be well - enfeeble too , but also check plenty of rich , organic cloth . A peat - based potting soil act well , specially with a handful ofperlite to make it less thickset . If you ’ve got something like compost or worm castings on handwriting , your amaryllis will definitely appreciate some of that .
When potting your bulb , do n’t lay to rest it . Up to half can stay on disclose ; just verify the root are cover .
Recommended
Growing supplies
Fertilizing
As you ’ve probably gain from the previous section , amaryllis loves a bit of plant food . you could let in some manure , worm castings , or compost in your potting mix , but the use of a dilute swimming houseplant fertilizer will also be appreciated . As long as you see growth on your amaryllis bulb ( leave-taking or stems ) , admit some plant life food for thought with every other watering .
Stop fertilizing when the bulb is n’t grow any leaves or other growth . It does n’t need any additional nutrients during these periods .
Fertilizers
Pruning
Most sources advocate removing the heyday stem after an amaryllis has finish efflorescence , but I do n’t really see why this would be necessary . As long as it ’s greenish , it photosynthesizes , providing energy for the bulb . Once it does go yellow , you could remove the fore with a astute knife .
Do make certain to murder the flower themselves after they ’re spend . Unless you want to grow amaryllis from seed , the development of the cod only drains energy .
You want the bulb to be able-bodied to photosynthesize as much as potential after the blooming period to ensure it has the strength to rebloom next twelvemonth ! ( Or even bloom twice in the same yr . ) This is also why you should leave any leaf your amaryllis produces alone to permit it work its magic .
Dividing or repotting
Amaryllis bulbs are not very agile growers , though they can finally outgrow their containers . you’re able to repot the plant following the steps in the section above ( on dirt and planting ) , preferably right after a dormancy period when new growth is just starting to pop up .
you could also divide your amaryllis using the teaching on extension below . This works well if you feel the bulbs are really starting to look a bit crowded , or if you ’d care to have a few extra light bulb to give away .
Propagating amaryllis
The easiest way to propagate amaryllis is through incandescent lamp section . The plant does most of the employment for you ; mature and sizeable amaryllis bulbs produce offsets in the form of new , smaller bulbs . you’re able to leave these if you care the look of a with child bunch of flowers , but you’re able to also separate them .
Like repotting , propagating amaryllis is well done decent after a sleeping period , when the plant is just starting to crowd out new growth . The easiest fashion to go about it is to take the whole thing out of its planter , allowing you to see all the offsets and selecting the good unity to separate .
Do n’t take bulblets that are still very diminished ! They should be at least around one - third to half of the size of the original “ mother ” electric light .
The existent process of dividing the bulbs is light as pie . A good tug or measured twist should usually be enough to relax the bulblet , although you could also utilise a tool to prize it off the mother light bulb if it ’s unwaveringly attached .
Just be careful with the root . Pot up your brand new amaryllis incandescent lamp like you would ordinarily .
If your amaryllis bulb does n’t have any commencement but appears hefty , you’re able to still propagate it using a method called bulb sectioning .
Bulb section ask moil up the incandescent lamp , clean it , and cut it straight from the top to the bottom into multiple part . ( According toresearch , you could divide it into up to 96 sections , but have ’s start with 2 or 4 ! )
utilize some fungicide and plant each section . New bulbs should start growing , although it can be a few season before you recognise the first flower .
Lastly , you may also grow amaryllis plants from seed . This is principally done by gardening enthusiasts who enjoy crossing different hybrids and cultivar to make young one , because the mental process is a bit too slow for the average hobbyist .
How can I make my amaryllis bloom?
The dubiousness you ’ve in all probability been inquire yourself throughout this care guide ! Usually , you do n’t in reality have to do much aside from following the annual cycle :
You do n’t call for to take any peculiar steps to get your amaryllis to bloom , like letting the electric-light bulb go dormant for part of the yr . It can continue growing leave just o.k. . This being enunciate , youcanactually force a hibernating period , which is a trick used to guarantee an amaryllis blooming at a set sentence .
Here ’s how to force an amaryllis to bloom :
Common questions about amaryllis
How long does it take for Christmas amaryllis to bloom?
Once planted , an amaryllis bulb takes six to eight weeks to set about blooming . That means if you want a lovely , in full - bloomed amaryllis for Christmas , you should institute and irrigate it in other November , to be on the good side . ( Keep in thinker this timeline apply to dormant electric-light bulb without stems . )
How many years will an amaryllis bulb bloom?
With proper care , an amaryllis light bulb will grow , bloom , and rebloom for ten . The ordinary life-time of a bulb is about 25 old age , though it ’s not unheard of for an heirloom amaryllis to be excrete down through families for 50 years or more .
Is amaryllis the same as belladonna lily?
Amaryllis ( the name normally given to Hippeastrum bulbs ) isnotthe same as belladonna lily . And here ’s where it set out puzzling : Although we jazz the winter blossom heyday incandescent lamp as amaryllis ( note that its common name is n’t take advantage ) , it is n’t atrueAmaryllis — that is , it does n’t belong to the genus Amaryllis . The genus Amaryllis only has two species and the well known of the two is Amaryllis belladonna , a flowering electric light that you might be more familiar with as belladonna lily , naked lady , Jersey lily , or March lily ( which are all different names for the same plant ) .
Is amaryllis toxic to cats and dogs?
According to the ASPCA , yes . Unfortunately , the incandescent lamp particularly contains vicious alkaloids that can cause severe stomach upset in cats and dogs .
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