Planting and Growing Amaryllis to Flower for the Holidays
Notes on timing and more!
Depending on the variety and the speed with which the bulb sprouts, amaryllis typically bloom anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks after they are potted. If you want your amaryllis to be flowering over Christmas, you'd be safest to choose an early-blooming, South African–grown variety and plant it by early November. For New Year's flowers, plant the bulb in early to mid-November.
Bulbs sourced from the Netherlands tend to take longer to bloom, but they add plenty of cheer when they flower in January or beyond. (Garden centers and catalogs with a good selection of amaryllis varieties usually differentiate between South African and Dutch bulbs for their customers.)
To plant an amaryllis bulb, choose a pot that's about two inches wider than the diameter of the bulb. Make sure it has drainage holes.
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Use a quick-draining potting mix and bury the bulb so that its top third remains above the surface. Water the pot well and put it in a place where the temperature remains above 60˚F. Warmer temperatures will speed sprouting.
Related: "Christmas Cactus Care and Blooming"
Refrain from watering again until you see growth sprouting from the top of the bulb. Once growth begins, move the pot to a sunny, warm site and water it regularly—whenever the top inch of mix feels dry. Water thoroughly, enough so that water pours through the drainage hole.
Flowers usually open within four weeks after top growth begins. To keep the stem from leaning toward the light, rotate the pot each day. Staking can also be helpful.
