You know that magical feeling when you spot the first signs of spring after a long winter?
Well, I’ve discovered how to create that joy right inside my home during the coldest months – with stunning amaryllis blooms!
After growing these beauties for years, I’m so excited to share my tried-and-true tips for growing these stunning flowers indoors.
Meet Your New Favorite Indoor Flower
Why Amaryllis is Perfect for Winter
Let me tell you why I absolutely adore growing amaryllis during winter! These gorgeous blooms have become my favorite holiday tradition, bringing vibrant life to my home when everything outside is dormant and gray.
I especially love watching my kids’ faces light up each morning as they check on the fast-growing stalks – it’s like nature’s own advent calendar!
The best part? One bulb can produce multiple flowering stalks, creating the most magical indoor display you can imagine.
All About Amaryllis Bulbs
Let’s chat about picking the perfect bulb! I learned through trial and error that size really matters here – you’ll want to look for bulbs labeled 34-36 centimeters.
Just last season, I planted a 34-36cm bulb that gave me three gorgeous flower stalks – talk about bang for your buck!
Here’s a fun tip I discovered: you can actually peek into the bulb before planting to spot those future flower stalks hiding inside (I feel like such a garden detective when I do this!).
Planting Your Amaryllis
Getting Started
I’m going to let you in on my foolproof planting method that works every time! While you can grow amaryllis in water or soil, I always recommend starting with soil, especially if you’re new to this (trust me, it’s way more forgiving).
For your container, grab a 6.8-inch terracotta pot with a drainage hole – it’s honestly perfect for these beauties.
Your amaryllis will be happiest when it’s a bit snug in its pot, so aim to leave just 1-2 inches between the bulb and the pot’s edge (think of it as giving your bulb a cozy sweater!).
Creative Display Ideas
Oh my goodness, let me share some of my favorite ways to show off these stunners! My absolute favorite trick is wrapping the bulb in sheet moss and displaying it on a crystal dish – it looks so elegant on my dining room table!
For the holidays, I love creating mixed containers with ferns, ivy, and cyclamen – the combination is absolutely gorgeous.
Last Christmas, I added some holly berries and pine branches around my amaryllis while waiting for it to bloom, and everyone thought I was some kind of gardening genius!
Caring for Your Amaryllis
Growth and Blooming
Getting your amaryllis to thrive is easier than you might think! Start by placing your newly planted bulb in a bright, warm spot – I keep mine near my kitchen window where I can watch it grow while making my morning coffee.
Here’s my tried-and-true watering trick: wait until you see about 2-3 inches of growth before giving it that first drink, then provide about 1/4 cup of water weekly.
Don’t panic if your flower stalk starts leaning toward the light (mine always do!) – just give the pot a quarter turn every few days, and it’ll straighten right up!
Getting Reblooms Next Year
Want to know my secret for getting these beauties to bloom year after year? Once the flowers fade, cut those stalks back to about an inch above the bulb, but keep those leaves growing – they’re your bulb’s solar panels!
When spring arrives (around tomato-planting time), I move my amaryllis outside to soak up that gorgeous sunshine.
The real magic happens in late August – that’s when I bring them inside, pop them in my dark basement (around 50°F), and let them take a nice two-month nap before starting the whole beautiful cycle again!