Amaryllis: Bold Indoor Winter Blooms
Amaryllis (commonly sold as Hippeastrum) are the stars of indoor winter color. Many gardeners struggle to get them to bloom, often because the bulbs are kept too warm or not given a proper rest period. With the right timing and care, you can enjoy magnificent blooms even during the darkest months!
Amaryllis Origins & History
The true Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna) is native to South Africa and blooms naturally in late summer. It has solid flower stalks and a single species, celebrated for its graceful, trumpet-shaped flowers.
Most “Amaryllis” bulbs sold in stores during fall and winter are actually Hippeastrum hybrids from South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia). These hybrids were developed for indoor winter blooms and feature hollow stems, multiple flower stalks, and a wide variety of colours.
Knowing the difference is important: Hippeastrum are perfect for indoor winter color, while true Amaryllis is better suited to outdoor gardens in warm climates.
True Amaryllis vs Hippeastrum
| Feature | True Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna) | Hippeastrum (Common “Amaryllis” Hybrid) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | South Africa | South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia) |
| Number of Species | 1 true species | 90+ species, 600+ hybrids |
| Stem Type | Solid flower stalk | Hollow flower stalk |
| Bloom Time | Late summer to fall (outdoors) | Winter to early spring (indoors) |
| Chill Requirement | Yes – dry dormancy | No – indoor hybrids don’t require chilling, but chilling improves bloom timing |
| Common Use | Garden plant in warm climates | Forced bulb for indoor winter color |
| Flowers per Stem | 1–2 | 2–6 |
Forcing Amaryllis Indoors
- Potting: Use well-draining soil and leave the top third of the bulb exposed.
- Chill period: 6–10 weeks in a cool, dark location at 35–48°F (2–9°C). Keeping bulbs too warm prevents blooms.
- Transition: Move bulbs to a warmer 60–70°F (15–21°C) location once sprouts appear.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight; LED grow lights can help if natural light is low.
- Watering: Keep soil lightly moist during chilling; increase as stems grow.
Amaryllis Care Cheat Sheet
| Stage | Duration | Temperature | Notes / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chill period | 6–10 weeks | 35–48°F (2–9°C) | Dark location; keep soil lightly moist |
| Indoor growth | 6–8 weeks | 60–70°F (15–21°C) | Bright, indirect light; water regularly |
| Rest period | 8–10 weeks | Cool & dry | Leaves die back; store bulb before next forcing |
Paraphrasing: Growing Amaryllis from McKenzie - Canada:
Growing Amaryllis:
- Fill pot about half full of soil.
- Place the bulb into the pot and add soil around the bulb, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed.
- should be ½ below the rim of the pot..
- Water well initially; then water only when the top inch of the soil is dry..
- Place the pot in a warm (60°) location..
- After green shoots appear, move the pot to a sunny location and water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy..
- Turn the pot regularly to keep the flower growing upright..
- Once blooms open, move the pot away from direct sunlight and heat to extend the blooming time. Amaryllis generally blooms within 6-8 weeks of planting.. When blooms are spent, cut off the stalk about 3" from the top of the bulb, do not remove the leaves. I do cut them back. They get pretty long.
- Place the pot in a sunny location and treat it as a houseplant. Water as needed and fertilize monthly..
- In August, stop watering and move pot to a cool (55°) place for a minimum of 2 months. .
- Then re-start the process..
Care Tips for Reliable Blooming
- After flowering, remove spent blooms but leave leaves to feed the bulb.
- During summer, place in a sunny window or outdoors; fertilize every 2–3 weeks.
- Allow bulbs to enter a dry, cool rest period; avoid watering too much.
- Re-pot and water lightly when ready to force again.
- Remember: larger bulbs generally produce larger and more flowers.
🍁 Note for Canadian Gardeners
- Do not move potted bulbs outdoors until after the last frost (late May–early June).
- Choose a bright, sheltered spot for summer care.
- Bring bulbs indoors well before the first autumn chill.
- In cold zones, Amaryllis is best kept strictly as an indoor plant.
Amaryllis at a Glance
- Botanical name: Hippeastrum
- Native region: South America
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight indoors
- Watering: Lightly moist during growth; reduce after flowering
- Bloom time: 6–8 weeks after planting
- Fertilizer: Balanced liquid feed every 2–3 weeks
- Rest period: Let leaves die back; store cool and dry 8–10 weeks
- Re-bloom tip: Larger bulbs = bigger blooms!
💡 Did You Know?
- True Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna) is called the Belladonna Lily and was used in perfumes.
- Hippeastrum hybrids were introduced to Europe in the 1700s and became holiday stars.
- Bigger bulbs usually produce more flowers — so size of bulb matters!
- Some bulbs can send up multiple flower stalks, giving you a mini indoor bouquet.
- Keep them too warm or over-watered and they might refuse to bloom—the ultimate diva move!