How to Grow Amaryllis Flowers In Time For The Holidays (and Some Unusual Varieties To Grow)

How Our Tradition Started

Many years ago, my parents gave me my first Amaryllis bulb to grow indoors. They knew how much I love planting flowers around our property, and how disappointed I get when Fall turns to Winter and all my outdoor flowers die off for the season. They wanted me to have beautiful flowers indoors during this off-season and chose an Amaryllis for me.

I remember watching the leaves emerge from the bulb and tracking its seemingly overnight growth for weeks. The flowers emerged in the weeks before Christmas, and their blossoms lasted almost until Spring.

From that first Amaryllis bulb, I’ve made this a tradition in our house to force these bulbs indoors starting in late October or early November. My sons and husband have enjoyed watching the bulbs flower and bloom, just as much as I have. I’m thankful to my parents for giving me this lasting gift.

While I think all Amaryllis flowers are beautiful, I especially like the unusual and unique varieties. This year, I’m growing three new varieties and can’t wait to enjoy their flowers for the holidays!

Read on to see the bulbs I’m growing, and for information on how to force these bulbs indoors so you can start your own tradition.

I only write about things I have or love – and I’m sharing them with you because maybe you’ll love them, too. The links in this post contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission (at no expense to you) if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. 

Unusual Amaryllis Bulbs

Here are some of the unusual varieties of Amaryllis bulbs I’m growing this year.

Amaryllis ‘Chico’ hippeastrum

The Amaryllis ‘Chico’ is a stunning flower with a very exotic look. The petals are pale green, cream, and chocolate brown and are shaped like long spiky, filaments. The flowers grow to around 6-inches across, with 4-5 flowers per stem. When planted in the ground (only in southern climates), the flowers emerge after 8-10 weeks. This bulb can be forced indoors and will flower within 4-6 weeks. The flowers last a long time.

Evergreen Amaryllis ‘Apple Green’ hippeastrum (Rare)

The striking color and shape of the  Apple Green Amaryllis is what makes this flower so beautiful. The Apple Green Amaryllis is a spider variety with delicate, graceful flowers and very long stamens. The flowers on this bulb emerge usually within 5-6 weeks indoors (sometimes as much as 8 weeks).

Papillio ‘Butterfly’ Amaryllis hippeastrum

The Paillio Butterfly Amaryllis is sure to turn heads! The flowers on this Amaryllis flutter open to lime, white, and maroon colors. The petals and sepals have two different patterns, making this flower unique. The flowers are around 6-inches wide and take about 4-8 weeks to bloom.

How to Force Amaryllis Bulbs Indoors

Amaryllis bulbs can be forced in soil or in water. I’ve used both methods with equal success. I personally prefer forcing them in soil, as the leaves seem to last much longer after the blooms have faded.

Forcing Bulbs in Soil

1. Fill a pot with well-draining soil
   It’s best if the pot has a drain hole, but I’ve also forced these bulbs in pots without drain holes – just be careful not to overwater. Also, make sure to choose a pot that is just slightly larger than the bulb – bulbs grow best in smaller, more snug pots. If you have a larger pot, you can place several bulbs in the same pot – just allow for at least an inch of space around each bulb. 
2. Place the bulb in the soil so that only the bottom two-thirds of the bulb is in the soil – the remaining top third should be above the soil line
3. Water the bulb thoroughly with lukewarm water, allowing excess water to drain from the pot
   If growing in a non-draining pot, water well, but not to the point where the soil is totally saturated and soggy.  
4. Place the potted bulb in a sunny location – a south- or east-facing window is best
5. Water sparingly until you see the leaves start to emerge, then water whenever the surface of the soil is dry
   Most amaryllis flowers bloom within 6-8 weeks. When the bulbs start to grow, you can usually expect the stems to grow an inch a day until they reach their maximum height. 
6. Continue watering the plant as it flowers
   Most amaryllis flowers will last 3-5 weeks.
   TIP: Move the plant out of direct sunlight when it’s flowering – this will make the flowers last longer.
7. When the flowers fade, cut the stems of the flowers about an inch or two from the bulb, and allow the leaves to continue to grow – watering as needed
   The leaves are what nourish the bulb so that it can grow again. 
8. As the leaves start to die, cut back on watering and then stop watering the plant when the leaves turn brown
9. Cut off the brown leaves then remove the bulb from the soil and place it in a paper bag, and store in a cool, dry location for at least 2 months
   When removing the bulb from the soil, gently brush off the soil before storing. You can force the bulb to bloom again after 8 weeks of rest. With proper care, you can enjoy your Amaryllis for many years.

Forcing Bulbs in Water

1. Fill a glass vase with an inch or more of pebbles or marbles
   The pebbles or marbles allow the bulb to sit up above the waterline.
2. Place the bulb on top of the pebbles so the bottom of the bulb is just slightly nestled into the pebbles
3. Slowly pour water into the vase so the waterline is just below the bottom of the bulb, barely touching the roots
   If the bulb sits too low in the water, there is a good chance the bulb will rot. 
4. Place the bulb in a sunny location – a south-facing window is best
5. Add water as needed so that the waterline is always just below the bottom of the bulb
   TIP: Move the plant out of direct sunlight when it’s flowering – this will make the flowers last longer.
6. When the flowers fade, cut the stems of the flowers and allow the leaves to continue to grow – watering as needed
   The leaves are what nourish the bulb so that it can grow again. 
7. As the leaves start to die, cut back on watering and then stop watering the plant when the leaves turn brown
8. Cut off the brown leaves then remove the bulb from the soil and place it in a paper bag, and store in a cool, dry location for at least 2 months
   When removing the bulb from the vase, make sure it is dry before storing. You can force the bulb to bloom again after 8 weeks of rest. With proper care, you can enjoy your Amaryllis for many years.

Additional Tips:

• Rotate the Plant – Rotating the amaryllis every couple of days allows the stalk to grow straight.
• Provide Plenty of Sunshine – Amaryllis can grow and survive in low light conditions, but the more sunshine it gets, the more blooms you’ll have. A south-facing window is an ideal location for this plant.
• Fertilize the Plant – When the Amaryllis is growing, feed the plant with a high-phosphorus water-soluble fertilizer every other week. The phosphorus will help the blooms last longer.
• Keep Bulbs for Reblooming – Amaryllis bulbs can be kept for many years and will rebloom each year. See the steps above for how to store your bulbs.
• Waxed Bulbs – You may be able to find Amaryllis bulbs that have been waxed. These bulbs don’t need water or soil – everything the plant needs to bloom is in the waxed bulb. Just set the waxed bulb into a container in a sunny window and wait for the plant to grow.
• Buy Early – Amaryllis bulbs are usually readily available in the Fall. Buy your bulbs early for the best selection and best quality. The larger the bulb, the more flowers you’ll have.

Do you have any additional tips to add? Share in a comment below!

Red Waxed Amaryllis Bulb

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