Amaryllis Plant Profile
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp.) is a large flowering bulb that is commonly grown
indoors for holiday decoration. It is native to Central and South America and
includes 90 species and over 600 cultivars.
The flower colors can range from the classic red to white, salmon,
pink, or creamy yellow. Some flowers are very large, others are more delicate and
narrow types. They also come in single- and double-flower varieties.
As many as six flowers will bloom on a single stem. In
general, the larger the flower bulb, the more flowers it will produce.
To prompt the Amaryllis to start to grow, place the bulb in
a container filled with lukewarm water for an hour. You can then plant the
Amaryllis bulb in a container filled with sterile potting mix. Be sure to leave
at least the top third of the bulb above the soil level and to choose a
container with good drainage that is only an inch or two wider than the bulb
itself. Amaryllis like to fit snugly in their pots. Because the flowers can be
top heavy, pick a pot that has some weight and heft to it.
Amaryllis prefer a room temperature between 68 and 74
degrees. They also need sufficient light to bloom. If it doesn’t get enough,
its stems will stretch out and need support. Rotate the pot a quarter turn each
time you water the plant.
After the flowers finish blooming, the bulbs need a period
of recovery and rejuvenation. Cut off the flower stalks, but leave the foliage
intact and reduced watering. They can be grown as a houseplant and then
placed out in the summer to gather more energy for blooming again in the
winter. Re-pot them every 3 to 4 years.
If you live in USDA zones 8-11, they can be planted outdoors
in the spring and stay there year-round.
Bring them in before the weather gets cold and discontinue
watering. Place them in a cool, dark place to remain dormant for at least two
months. Then take them out of storage, water them thoroughly, and put in a
sunny spot again to start the bloom cycle over.
The National Garden Bureau has declared 2023 as the year of
the Amaryllis.
Amaryllis:
You Can Grow That!
The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.
Audio and text by Kathy Jentz
Video and editing by Brandie Bland
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