A very popular plant to grow indoors during the winter months is amaryllis. Usually purchased as a large flower bulb, the plants come in several sizes and colors and are the perfect addition to your holiday or Christmas decor. Brighten up your indoor space with these easy-to-care-for plants!
Steps To Plant Amaryllis
Step 1 - Select a pot with drainage holes and fill it half-way with a well-drained potting mix. Select a pot just 1-2 inches wider than the bulb.
Step 2 - Secure soil around the base, but do not cover the Amaryllis bulb completely; expose the top 1/3 of the bulb.
Optional - cover the soil with a bit of orchid moss to make it look nice and keep moisture in. But do not cover to top tip of the Amaryllis. See that little white bit? That will turn green and turn into a big beautiful leaf very soon!
Design Tip - Plant these big bulbs in groupings of 3 or 5 (or even 1). Odd numbered bulbs tend to look best!!
Step 3 - Water thoroughly to help settle the soil around the bulb. After the initial watering, only water when the top inch or two of the soil is dry.
Best Location For Growing Amaryllis Indoors
Keep the bulbs and the pot consistently at room temperature (65 to 75 degrees) for best results. Pick a warm spot in your house with as much bright light as possible. Direct light is preferable until the flower stalk appears. Move the plant to a cool location in indirect light to prolong the bloom.
How Long Does It Take For Amaryllis To Bloom?
From start to finish, the plant will bloom around 6 to 8 weeks after planting. Once you see new growth (the flower stalk and leaves) from the bulb, blooms should appear in about 3 to 4 weeks. The plants can be a little stubborn though, so don't lose patience if it doesn't bloom that fast. And do not over-water the bulb if you get impatient. That will only hurt the plant.
Amaryllis Not Growing Or Blooming?
If your bulb seems to be struggling to grow a flower stalk or produce flowers, you may want to add some plant food. We prefer using compost, but you can also use a feed for indoor blooming plants.
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Author Chris Link - Published 10-25-2021 |