Amaryllis Care Indoors

Wondering about amaryllis care? Growing amaryllis indoors is easy to do by forcing the bulbs into bloom mid-winter. Popular for their festive, oversized flowers, amaryllis bulbs are commonly sold as ready-to-plant kits for the Christmas season. 

In this guide, you'll discover how to grow amaryllis bulbs indoors and enjoy magnificent trumpet-shaped blooms at Christmas time. Get the steps to planting and caring for the bulb, find out what to do after the blooming season is over, and how to make amaryllis bloom again next year.

Amaryllis 'Minerva' puts on a spectacular Christmas show. Image Dreamstime

Get to Know Amaryllis

Amaryllis is known by its botanical name Hippeastrum and includes countless species with more varieties than we've ever seen.

Amaryllis flowers are native to South America, where they grow and bloom in warm temperatures year-round. You won't need to give them a cold treatment to "force" them into bloom like so many other flower bulbs.

How tall will amaryllis houseplants get? Plants will reach 12-24 in (30-60 cm) tall. You may need to use support stakes to hold up tall stems.

These bulbs produce magnificent trumpet-shaped blooms in red, white, yellow, pink, and salmon. In addition to solid-colored petals, there are many varieties with stripes, contrasting edges -- even double blooms. A single stem will produce 4 flowers, and large bulbs may produce 2 stems.

Amaryllis Bulb Buying Tips

Buy bulbs early in the season for best quality and best selection. Choose bulbs that are plump and firm. Don't buy shriveled bulbs even if they're a "bargain"...they may not grow well. 

You'll find an excellent variety from online nurseries. Many cultivars are available to choose from. Pink and white 'Apple Blossom' is long-time favorite. Red-and-white 'Minerva' is a popular holiday selection. 'Red Lion' is a dependable bloomer in rich, radiant red.

Potted amaryllis is a gorgeous holiday addition for your home. ©Luba K. | Dreamstime

Steps to Forcing Amaryllis Bulbs

1. Plant the bulb in a pot that's just big enough to hold it; a 6-inch terra cotta pot will do. Place the bulb so the top third of the bulb above the soil level.
2. Water and set it in bright light, in a cool (around 60°F/16°C) place. To prevent rot, water sparingly until the flower stem appears, then increase water. Check it often because flowering plants are thirsty.
3. When a 6-inch/15 cm stem appears, move the potted bulb to a sunlit spot.
   
4. You can expect blooms 6-8 weeks after planting. The long, strap-like leaves will appear long after the stems are grown. Blooms will last for several weeks if kept at a maximum of 65°F/18°C.

Amaryllis Care After Blooming

After the flowers fade, cut off the stems and let the leaves grow to nourish the bulb. Continue to water and fertilize the plant. Gradually reduce watering so that the leaves die back. Cut off the brown leaves.

Allow the bulb to rest by storing it in a paper bag in a cool (50°F/10°C), dry place for at least 2 months.

Plant it again in fresh soil 6-8 weeks before you want it to bloom.

Good amaryllis care will ensure that you'll enjoy beautiful blooms year after year.

Candy cane-colored blooms make this amaryllis a holiday favorite.

Amaryllis Care At-a-Glance

Light: Bright light to full sun during growing season. Turn pot occasionally so that all sides are exposed to light for even growth.

Water: Keep potting mix evenly moist, but not soggy, during growing season. 

Humidity: This tropical native will tolerate average room humidity (around 40% relative humidity). Keep your plant away of drafts from heating vents and cold blasts from doors and windows.

Temperature: Cool to average room temperatures 55-70°F/13-21°C throughout the year. Make your flowers last longer by keeping your blooming amaryllis in a slightly cool location. 

Soil: Any good-quality potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks while amaryllis is growing, with half-strength, high-phosphorus water-soluble fertilizer.

Propagation: Offsets may grow around the bulb. Leave them attached for 2 seasons before breaking them off and planting them in their own pots.

Amaryllis Problems, Solutions and Answers

Stems may lean over if the plant is not getting enough sunlight. Give the pot a quarter turn every few days so that all sides receive light from a window. Once plants bloom, they are top-heavy and may need to be staked up.

Watch for spider mites. Dry, yellow-speckled leaves and fine webbing are tell-tale signs of these sap-sucking pests. If your plant is badly infested, get rid of it. Spider mites are difficult to get rid of and may spread to your other houseplants.

Is amaryllis poisonous to cats and dogs? Yes, according to the ASPCA, the bulbs, stalks, and flowers contain alkaloids, which are toxic to pets.

1. Home
›
2. Houseplants A-Z
›
3. Forcing Bulbs