There’s no flower that signals the arrival of the Christmas season quite like the Amaryllis. With their spectacular trumpet-shaped blooms and impressive height, these plants bring an immediate burst of tropical color and festive drama right when our gardens are going dormant. We’ve received our shipment of beautiful, ready-to-bloom Amaryllis, and we want to share all the secrets to keeping them looking their best through the holidays!
The Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is famous for its massive, eye-catching flowers that emerge from an equally impressive bulb. The variety of colors—from classic Christmas reds and whites to deep burgundies, pinks, and striped patterns—makes them essential for decorating during the season.
Why Amaryllis is Your Perfect Holiday Plant
We love the Amaryllis for several reasons, but especially how perfectly it fits into the rush of the holiday season:
Instant Gratification: Unlike many holiday plants, Amaryllis offers an almost guaranteed show. Since we are selling plants that are already sprouted and the flower stalk (scape) is already emerging, you get to watch the magic happen in real time. It’s a rewarding, relatively quick process from sprout to spectacular bloom!
Minimal Effort, Maximum Drama: These plants are incredibly low-maintenance once they are blooming. They don’t demand constant fuss, leaving you more time to enjoy your festivities. The flowers are so large and vibrant, they serve as a stunning centerpiece or accent without needing much accompaniment.
Long-Lasting Blooms: Once the flowers open, they can last for several weeks, and often a single bulb will send up multiple stalks, prolonging the holiday show well into the New Year.
Simple Care for Spectacular Blooms
Since the plants we are stocking are already past the bulb-starting phase and the stalk is up, your job is easy: keep it happy and keep it blooming!
1. Light and Location
During Bloom: While the plant is blooming, it prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid placing it right next to a sunny window, as direct, strong light can shorten the bloom life. A spot near a bright window, or even under a slightly shaded area of your porch (if we are having a very mild day), is ideal.
Temperature: Amaryllis flowers look best and last longest when kept in a cool, consistent temperature—ideally between 60°F and 70°F. Avoid placing it near heat vents, fireplaces, or drafty doors, as sudden temperature fluctuations will cause the flowers to fade quickly.
2. Watering
Keep it Moist, Not Soggy: When the stalk is growing and the plant is blooming, the Amaryllis needs steady moisture. Water thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch.
Check Drainage: Always ensure the pot has excellent drainage. Allowing the plant to sit in water is the quickest way to encourage bulb rot, which will end the show fast! If your decorative pot doesn’t have drainage holes, be sure to remove the plant for watering and let it drain completely before putting it back.
3. Support the Stalk
The stems (scapes) on Amaryllis can grow quite tall, and the massive blooms they support are heavy. As the flowers swell and open, the stalk may become top-heavy and start to lean or even break.
The Stake Solution: It’s a good idea to insert a sturdy stake near the stalk—a subtle green garden stake or even a festive decorative bamboo stick works great—and loosely tie the stalk to the stake for support. Do this before the flowers open fully.
Rotate the Pot: If the stalk is leaning toward the light (which it often does), simply rotate the pot every few days to encourage the stalk to grow straight and upright.
Beyond the Bloom: Saving Your Amaryllis for Next Year
The best thing about Amaryllis is that you can save these bulbs and get them to bloom again next Christmas!
Cut the Stalk: Once the last flower fades, cut the spent flower stalk down to about an inch above the bulb. Do not cut the leaves!
Grow the Leaves: This is the most crucial step! The leaves are essential for gathering sunlight and creating food for next year’s bloom. Treat the Amaryllis like a normal houseplant. Keep it in a sunny window and water it regularly all spring and summer. You can even move it outside to a sunny patio once all danger of frost has passed.
Dormancy Time (Fall): Around late September or early October, stop watering the bulb. The leaves will gradually turn yellow and brown. Cut them off once they are fully yellow/brown.
The Chill: Place the dormant bulb (still in its pot) in a cool, dark place (like a closet or garage) where the temperature stays around 50°F to 55°F for 8 to 10 weeks. This chilling period is necessary to “set” the flower bud for the next season.
Reawakening (Early Winter): Around early December, bring the pot back into a warm, bright room, water it once, and start the whole process over again! You’ll be rewarded with a spectacular show just in time for Christmas!
The Amaryllis is a magnificent, resilient plant that truly embodies the spirit of the holidays. Come on down to Louisiana Nursery today and pick out a few of these stunning, ready-to-bloom plants. They make spectacular centerpieces and perfect host gifts! Happy gardening and happy holidays!
