by Amanda Rose Newton
“Amaryllis” comes from the Greek word amarysso which means “to sparkle”, and it certainly does just that as a staple of the Holiday season.
Bulbs, which refer to the underground stem that amaryllis have in common with tulips, daffodils, and the humble onion, are their suitcase containing all they need on their next adventure.
This makes amaryllis a great gift for someone who claims to have a black thumb! This is why they are so easy to find during the holidays, and often sold ready-to-go in kits.
Despite their presence at the holidays, there is so much more to the life story of amaryllis, including the surprise twist that they naturally do not bloom during the holiday season. This is all done just for you to enjoy.
Their natural bloom time is in the Spring, just like the other members of Team Bulb. For those not into the typical Valentine’s day palette of red, white, and pink, in actuality, there are more than 600 varieties. This allows for fun dual-color flowers, flowers edged in purple, and even two-stalked bi-color types!
Choosing and Planting Your Amaryllis
While pre-made kits are prevalent this time of year, it’s worth it to have a pick-your-own experience by hand-choosing your bulb. The size does matter here!
The bigger the bulb, the more flowers you can expect. The bulb you choose should feel like it has some heft to it and be clear of any mold or spotting. Bonus points if you can see the fleshy roots emerging from the bottom.
Amaryllis is one of those finicky plants that may not bloom if they are in too large a pot. Ideally, the pot should have no more than two inches of space on each side of the bulb, and a little less than half the bulb should rest above the soil line. Think of the amaryllis being most comfortable when it’s snug in its pot.
Before inserting it into the soil, be sure to soak the bulb’s roots in warm water for a few hours to rejuvenate them. A well-draining soil should be placed at the bottom first, and then the bulb can sit gently in so that the top sticks up above the rim. Soil can be added around the bulb, with the top half exposed.
Choose a bright spot in your home for it to rest then water it well. Take care to only water when the soil is dry to avoid over-watering which can lead to rot. Those coveted, beautiful, lily-like blooms will present themselves within 6 to 8 weeks. If you want it to bloom by Christmas, you needed to start 6 weeks ago!
Caring for Amaryllis After The Holidays
To promote blooming once the first round is done, use a fertilizer with high phosphorus content to promote flower development. Once you see a new stalk, it’s time to move it into brighter light to encourage growth.
Rotating the pot helps keep the stalk and flower straight. This is a great tip for any household plant to prevent that awkward leaning-in-one-direction look!
Once it blooms again, take it out of the light to have the bloom last longer. You can also prolong the bloom cycle by removing the flower before it puts up seeds. This will encourage more flowers!
Like many of the holiday classics, there is no reason amaryllis should just be limited to the winter holidays. With so many color variations, why not have a 4th of July or Halloween Amaryllis? Go ahead and pick up one for every holiday to keep the sparkle going.
