How to Get Amaryllis to Bloom for Christmas

Knowing when to plant amaryllis bulbs so they flower in time for Christmas is all important. Late October to early November is when you want to start, with most varieties taking somewhere between six and eight weeks from planting to their first open flower. This can vary though, so do check the label on your bulb. Planting in the last week of October should give you a comfortable window. A little hack to cover yourself is to start two bulbs a week apart and you’ll almost certainly have one at its best over Christmas.

Buy the biggest amaryllis bulbs you can get, as they’ll have more stored energy, meaning more flower stems, more blooms per stem and a better chance of a second flush once the first has finished. You’ll want them to be firm and heavy for their size, with no soft patches, mould or damage to the base where the roots emerge.

The usual pick is the classic red (Red Lion) but white, pink, striped and even apricot amaryllis flower varieties are now widely available and can look great against a backdrop of greenery. There are even waxed bulbs which need no compost or water at all, therefore making them great for hanging and adding a bit of vertical drama. Check out our Why Do We Hang amaryllis Upside Down? For tips on how to do this successfully.

Learning how to plant amaryllis bulbs is pretty easy, just follow these steps:

• The right pot - Choose a pot only 2-3cm wider than the bulb, and make sure it has drainage holes.
• Soak the dry roots - Use lukewarm water for a few hours before planting to wake them up.
• Free-draining multi-purpose compost - Use this to fill the pots, try including a handful of grit mixed in.
• Bulb positioning - Make sure the top third of the bulb sits above the surface of the compost. Many get this wrong by burying it completely which encourages rot.
• Firm the compost - Gently around the bulb, water sparingly and place the pot somewhere warm.

If you’re using a decorative pot without drainage, sit a nursery pot inside it so any excess water can be tipped away. Amaryllis really don’t like sitting in the wet.

In the first few weeks, good amaryllis care will come down to warmth and restraint. Placing your amaryllis in a bright, warm room at around 20°C will yield the best results, ideally close to a radiator or on a sunny windowsill, at least until the flower stem starts to appear. You’ll want to water very lightly to begin with, just enough to keep the compost barely moist, and only increase watering once you can see green growth pushing through.

When the stems start to shoot up you’ll need to turn the pot every couple of days so it grows straight rather than leaning towards the light. Pop in a cane if it starts to look top-heavy. No feeding is required at this stage you’ll be glad to hear.

Should you reach the first week of December and you’re not seeing much signs of growth, try moving the pot somewhere warmer (an airing cupboard or on top of a fridge), for a day or two. This usually kickstarts things into action. If you’re finding the opposite and it’s actually growing too quickly and might be over by the 25th, move it somewhere cooler and less bright.

Amaryllis flowers will usually last for two to three weeks per stem, and larger bulbs will often send up a second or even a third stem after the first. To get the most longevity, keep the plant out of direct sun and away from heat sources once the flowers open, then snip off each bloom as it fades, this will keep the display looking fresh.

Knowing what to do with amaryllis after flowering is the key to enjoying it for years to come. Cut the flower stem back to just above the bulb, leave the strappy leaves in place and keep it somewhere bright. Water and feed with a liquid houseplant fertiliser every couple of weeks through spring and summer; it can even go outside in a sheltered spot once the frosts have passed. This is when the bulb refuels for next year.

So, do amaryllis bloom every year? They will if rested. Stop watering them come late August or September, let the leaves die back and keep the bulb dry and cool for eight to ten weeks. Then repot it in fresh compost in late October and the whole cycle starts again. 

There are few houseplants that give as much reward for so little effort as a christmas amaryllis. Plant in late October, keep it warm, water lightly and turn the pot, and you’ll have a spectacular display just as the festive season gets into full swing. Master the basics of how to grow amaryllis once and don’t be surprised if you find yourself planting a few more each year.