Winter Cheer, Amaryllis

Amaryllis are large, flowering bulbs originally from the Andes Mountains of South America.  They are very popular plants during the holiday season, and they grace us with dazzling trumpet-shaped blooms for weeks on end.  Unfortunately, once those lovely flowers fade, the plants are often discarded.  What many people don’t know is that with proper care, the amaryllis bulbs can be even stronger and more productive the following year.  Here’s how it’s done.

After the amaryllis has finished blooming, cut the flower stalk to 1 to 2 inches above the bulb.  Place the remaining plant with its blade-like leaves in a warm location with bright, filtered light. Water regularly and feed with water-soluable fertilizer every 2 weeks. When it’s warm enough, you can set the plant outside, out of direct sunlight, and continue to water and feed it.  In September, enforce a dormant period by setting the plant in a dark closet, withholding water for 8 weeks.   Then, bring the plant out, cut off its wilted foliage, top off with fresh potting soil, water thoroughly, and place the plant in a warm sunny spot.  Don’t water again until a new flower stalk emerges.  Then, resume the watering and feeding cycle and enjoy your beautiful amaryllis blooms.

I have always loved amaryllis.  Their blooms really brighten up those long winter months.  I always make sure that there are plenty of bulbs planted in succession so that the house is filled with color each and every day.  I hope this will inspire you to get some amaryllis started really soon.

Here is a recent photo of the amaryllis in my greenhouse

All lined up and ready to grow!

Unbelievable Colors

For more information, visit my website! Amaryllis at Marthastewart.com

Comments

[Vivian Price]

Amaryllis are really beautiful. I usually buy a few different colors during the holidays and
let them bloom indoors. Here in
Tennessee (very close to the Ga. line) where I live I can plant the
bulbs in a flowerbed outside when it gets warm weather. They have green growth that summer, but
after overwintering outdoors, the
next spring they bloom outdoors,
and are really beautiful. I have
them close to the house and mulch
the bulbs, but they make it through the winter here. Another
plant that should be grown
outdoors farther south is Angel
Trumpets. We cut them back, mulch
for winter, and they will grow
as much as 9 feet tall before
blooming.

[Dawn-Enigma Artist]

Beautiful. I'm really going to try to do this someday. Until then I'll enjoy your photos.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, Thank you for another lovely, useful blog. It seems to me that anyone can have beautiful blooms any time of the year with just a little effort and lots of practical knowledge. I must get busy and make that greenhouse and coldframe so that I too can enjoy those beautiful blooms. Thanks again for sharing. Jan

[Catherine Kurczynski]

My mother adores amaryllis--this year the grocery store had potted bulbs that were just starting. I picked up a couple--reasonable prices--one plant for her and one for me. They are so glamorous. Helps to cheer us up during these dark days approaching winter. Thanks for the info on taking care of the bulbs.

[Vintage Indie]

Simply Gorgeous and elegant.

[Andrew Ritchie]

Martha, mine are just about to bloom! It was because of you that I first started growing them several years ago. I love that such a gorgeous creation comes from such an unassuming bulb. Thanks for the inspiration!

xx
Andrew Ritchie

[bpfister]

I have always wanted to start an amaryllis because you see them at christmas all the time. I think I will try one this year. Especially since I have your expert advice on how to get more than one year out of the bulbs.
Thanks

[Jenni Saarinen]

I think the amaryllis is the perfect Christmas flower because it's so rewarding to watch it grow from a modest bulb to a really glamorous and beautiful flower. And it's easy to take care of. It brings Christmas cheer in the middle of the dark winter period here in Finland, in Northern Europe.

[Sarah]

Gosh, martha! that's a lot of amaryllis! I'm green with envy!

[Angela Willis]

My Amaryllis has produced two gorgeous leaves (they have been there since this summer) and that's it! It refuses to produce anything else... what else can I do to help it bloom?

[Susan Lindquist]

Thanks for keeping this link active! My amarylis bulbs are just going by and I was wondering how to keep them alive and prepare them for a new season of blossoming. I have just moved to a new house that has a small greenhouse, so I'll be looking for ways to bring it back to a newly productive phase. This is a good and easy way to start!

[Cathy]

My amaryllis just stopped blooming - I understand it will continue to flower - where do I cut it to encourage it to flower more?