Can’t Wait for Spring? Bring an Amaryllis Inside

By University of Arkansas

12-08-2009

Gardeners who can’t wait for spring’s return might consider bringing an amaryllis indoors for a vibrant splash of color, said Janet Carson, extension horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

“To bring a bit of spring indoors and help cure your spring fever, nothing beats the amaryllis,” she said.

The amaryllis, or Hippeastrum, is a tender bulb plant from tropical America that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers. The flowers can grow as large as eight inches across in clusters of four to six flowers per stem. The leafless, hollow stems can grow to be two to three feet tall.

The showy amaryllis comes in a range of colors, including shades of red, orange, pink, white, and striped varieties, and blooms for at least 4-6 weeks. Amaryllis bulbs are sold alone or pre-packaged in containers. With proper care, the amaryllis will rebloom with big, beautiful flowers year after year.

“It is not unheard of to have amaryllis bulbs passed down in families from one generation to another,” said Carson.

When planting new bulbs, use a well-drained potting soil and be sure at least half the bulb is exposed out of the soil. The container should be only slightly larger than the bulb itself. “Amaryllis will bloom better if slightly potbound, so don’t put them in too large of a container,” said Carson. Water the bulb sparingly until growth starts.

Once growth has begun, move the amaryllis to a sunny location and make sure that it stays moist. Turn the plant frequently to prevent leaning. Extremely tall plants will require staking for additional support. You may want to add some rocks to give support to the container to keep the plant from toppling over.

After the blooms begin to open, give the plant cooler conditions and move it out of direct sunlight. This will extend the length of the bloom.

Once the flowers have faded, the stalks should be cut back to within several inches of the bulb. “The foliage needs to be kept actively growing following flowering to ensure a flower for the next season,” said Carson.

After the last frost has passed, the amaryllis can be moved outside to a sunny environment. It should be fertilized monthly outdoors. After this year of growth outdoors, many gardeners have started leaving their amaryllis bulbs in the ground year-round, with good survival rates. The plants then bloom in the spring. Or they can be lifted and cut back and brought indoors in the fall to repeat the process inside.