AMARYLLIS

HIPPEASTRUM

This striking plant is grown for its giant, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear year after year. A wide range of colors is available, including red, orange, and pink, any of which will create a splash of color in your home. The long, wonderfully glossy leaves have an elegant, arching habit.

HEIGHT 24in (60cm)

SPREAD 12in (30cm)

FLOWERS Large, trumpet-shaped

FOLIAGE Insignificant

LIGHT Filtered sun

TEMPERATURE 55–70°F (13–21°C)

CARE Fairly easy

PLACE OF ORIGIN Brazil

CARE

Amaryllis plants should be placed in a bright, warm room but out of direct sunlight. As soon as flowers start to appear, move to a cooler room so that the blooms will last for longer.

If you buy as a bulb between October and January, plant it into commercial potting mix in a pot that’s only slightly larger than the bulb (they flower best in small pots). One third of the bulb should sit above the surface. Water sparingly until growth appears and feed every 10 days with a tomato fertilizer to encourage flowers. After flowering, deadhead and cut off any faded foliage, reduce watering, and move the plant to a cool but bright, frost-free garage or shed for two months before moving back inside. Increase the watering to start them back into growth. Don’t be tempted to repot your amaryllis too often—once every three years is perfect, as they dislike any disturbance.

Older bulbs will produce offsets that can be carefully removed and potted on to create new plants.

DK

Buy and plant amaryllis bulbs in fall or early winter.

PROBLEM SOLVING The impressive flowers of this plant tend to lean toward the light; avoid this by turning the plants daily. Failure to flower could be due to not enough light or underwatering during the previous summer. Amaryllis are sometimes susceptible to bulb pests such as narcissus bulb fly.

DK

If the impressive flowering stems start to flop, support them with a stake.

DISPLAY

As amaryllis require turning, they should be planted in individual pots—the more decorative, the better. If in flower at Christmas they make the perfect festive table centerpiece. For best effect, display in a group with other amaryllis hybrids of different colors.

Houseplants A–Z | AMARYLLIS

ALSO TRY

There are many other bulbs that can bring impressive flowers into your home. They’re often bought to celebrate a special event such as Christmas or Easter. A plant that’s frequently grown at Easter is:

  • Grape hyacinth (Muscari), height 8in (20cm). This plant’s spires of blue flowers look great planted in a group display in a pot. They’re often grown outside but add spring color to a cool room.
DK

Plant grape hyacinth bulbs in fall for a spring display.

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