How to grow a Christmas Amaryllis
Christmas amaryllis, botanical name Hippeastrum, are one of our favourite flowers for Christmas. Their bright colour and large blooms are herald in the Christmas season. They're easy to grow, make a great present and are perfect for bringing Christmas colours into the home.
They are originally exotic bulbs from Central and South America. This means they are tender perennials, and you usually grow amaryllis indoors. However, they can live outside during the summer months.
When to plant amaryllis bulbs for Christmas blooms
To get your amaryllis flowering in time for Christmas, plant at the end of October to early November. It takes 6-8 weeks for flowers to plant, and the flowers can last a couple of weeks, so it is better to get them early than late.
If you've received an amaryllis bulb for Christmas; plant at any time to enjoy winter colour. They're perfect for cheering up those cold post-Christmas months after the decorations are away.
How to plant amaryllis flowers
Amaryllis flowers are fairly easy to grow and care for, however there are a couple of essential tips for great blooms.
1. Choose your pot wisely.
Amaryllis like to be cosy in their pots, so always plant them in pots just 2-3cm larger than the bulb. You also want to ensure they are around 30cm deep for ample root growth. However, the flowers can be top-heavy; make sure your pot is heavy enough so they will grow without tipping over.
2. Don't plant them too deep
Our top tip for success is to never completely bury the bulb. Amaryllis bulbs are fleshy, and if completely buried, they will rot. Plant the bulb so that two-thirds of the top of the bulb is above the compost.
3. Water sparingly
As they are exotic bulbs, they don't like too much water. Water them sparingly, especially before the leaves emerge. Start watering more regularly once the leaves emerge so the compost is moist. Be careful not to overwater; reduce watering if the soil isn't drying out.
Use tepid water and let the excess drain away. Empty the tray of any excess water regularly, as the bulbs can rot when sat in water.
4. Feeding
Once the bulb is in full leaf, you can start watering and feeding regularly. Apply a houseplant fertiliser weekly; this will help the flowers to the fullest.
5. Location
To help the flowers germinate, they need a sunny location. Around 21°C is the perfect temperature to start their cycle of growth.
Care for Amaryllis Flowers
Once the flower spikes start appearing, you might need to stake them. Place willow or hazel twigs around the stems, which will provide an attractive support structure.
Each flower stalk bears 2-3 flowers, which often open sequentially. Once each flower has faded, remove it so the energy can concentrate in the bulb.
The flowers last longer in cooler rooms. If they turn yellow quickly, move them to a different area. Around 15-18°C is perfect.
Once the flowering has stopped completely, cut back the stems to 2cm from the base. Flowers usually last up to a month, so be patient and enjoy them for as long as possible.
After flowering care
Most people think that amaryllis flowers are one and done. However, did you know that with a few small tips, you can keep them flowering again the following year?
After you have cut back the main stem to 2cm, continue to feed it for a further 6-8 weeks. This helps the plant send food down to the bulb for the next flowering season. Over the summer, you can also place them outside so they get enough light and warmth. However make sure they are not in full sun as their leaves are prone to scorching.
A dormancy period
Your bulb will also need a dormancy period to flower for many years to come. You can start this in September to get more flowers for Christmas. Amaryllis do not enter complete dormancy; they stay semi-dormant, so store in the soil.
- In late September, cut the leaves down to 2cm from the base. Some might still be green, but should still be cute back.
- Move the pot to a room at 13-15°C. A garage or frost-free shed is ideal.
- Leave for 8-10 weeks.
- After eight weeks, move the pot to a warmer room. Around 21°C is perfect. Once placed in a warm place, they are ready to begin their cycle of growth.
- Amaryllis resent root disturbance so only repot them every 3-5 years in January or March after flowering.
Our Favourite Amaryllis Christmas Plants
We love Hippeastrum 'Red Lion' for a classic red Christmas amaryllis. This super-sized bulb can produce 2-3 flower stalks. Each stem has around 4/5 flowers, making this one of the most prolific hippeastrum bulbs.
Amaryllis 'Monte Carlo' has stunning white and red variegated blooms. The flowers are particularly large at 15cm wide. Each petal has a striking white stripe surrounded by a rich pinkish red.
If you prefer white flowers, try Hippeastrum 'Snow Queen'. The large trumpet-shaped blooms are a stunning pure white, flowering for nearly a month.
For a double version, try Hippeastrum 'Marilyn'. A true star of Christmas with peony-like white blooms and delicate apple-green stripes. The name comes from the iconic skirt worn by Marilyn. Perfect for gifting to someone for a stunning Christmas gift.
For something a little more unusual, there is the green Hippeastrum 'Evergreen'. It has slender, zesty green petals. It provides a fresh colour over several weeks and works perfectly with a contemporary Christmas design.
We love Hippeastrum Terra Mystica because of its orange tone. Primarily terracotta-coloured but with a deep plum throat. It makes a perfect decoration in some of the darkest months, bringing joy into the home.
Finally, Amaryllis Rosalie is our favourite amaryllis for a cute pink Christmas. The large flowers showcase salmon-pink petals with a lime green throat. It stands smaller than most varieties, making it perfect for smaller spaces. Flowering will take longer, so plant 8-10 weeks before Christmas.
