Amaryllis: cultivation, planting, care

Botany

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Amaryllis is a bulbous plant native to the tropical regions of South America, belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, like lilies. Frost-sensitive, it is mainly grown indoors to bloom at Christmas and should not be confused with l‘Amaryllis belladonna, from the Amaryllis genus, which is a hardier perennial that can be grown outdoors in regions with a mild climate. The name Amaryllis has been retained for both genera, and the bulbs marketed as “amaryllis” are generally cultivars of Hippeastrum. The Hippeastrum genus includes numerous hybrid varieties with flowers in an infinite array of colours and shapes, sometimes extravagant.

This upright bulbous plant develops from a single bulb. As with all types of bulbs, they are classified by size: the larger the bulb, the more flowers it will produce; the largest bulbs, size 34+ or 36+, will develop 2 to 3 flower stems. The plant forms a clump 40 to 60 cm tall in bloom and 30 cm wide, depending on the varieties. Its growth is extremely rapid; flowers bloom 6 to 10 weeks after planting.

After or simultaneously with the appearance of the flowers, the bulb produces a tuft of basal leaves that are long, broad, ribbon-like, and a shiny medium green, measuring up to 50 cm.

Amaryllis is a valuable plant for brightening our interiors throughout winter, from December to April, especially at Christmas for forced bulbs. Amaryllis belladonna blooms later, in September and October.

The flowering is always elegant and graceful. The round, robust, hollow, smooth, leafless flower stems emerge from this tuft. They bear at their tips majestic inflorescences, with 3 to 7 remarkable corollas depending on the variety, (5 to 15 smaller and slightly fragrant flowers in the Belladonna Lily) shaped like trumpets or funnels, 12 to 20 cm in diameter for the giant flowers. They are generally grouped in fours at the top of the main stem and positioned back-to-back. Their shape varies by variety; the flowers can be single, double, known as “butterfly”, sometimes very sophisticated and stylised like those in the amaryllis cybister category.

These high-set corollas consist of rounded or tapered tepals, arranged in a staggered pattern and joined at the base to form a tube, reminiscent of lilies. They have a thick, fleshy texture and release a bouquet of long stamens.

Various shapes and colours of flowers

Alongside the traditional bright red amaryllis, amaryllis flowers now come in a wide range of colours, from vivid to subtle, including white, salmon, pink, solid, spotted, or striated with contrasting stripes, sometimes taking on very exotic or slightly artificial appearances.

The flowering lasts 3 to 4 weeks. Amaryllis flowers make beautiful bouquets or floral arrangements that are highly sought after. Once cut, they last about a week in a vase.

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Main species and varieties

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Other Interesting Species

Hippeastrum Red Lion - Amaryllis

This historic variety is a classic of the genus, timeless! It brings a touch of tropical lushness to the home during the shortest days of winter!

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Double Dragon - Amarylis

A magnificent hippeastrum with bright red, large double flowers. A sure bet!

• Height at maturity 55 cm

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Hippeastrum Ice Queen - Amaryllis

A stunning pure white double hippeastrum! For an elegant and pure touch in your home.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Papilio - Amaryllis

A sumptuous hippeastrum with very original flowers. The 36+ calibre ensures a significant bulb reserve, resulting in exceptional flowering.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Nymph - Amaryllis

An amaryllis with voluptuous double flowers. They evoke peonies, bringing spring into the home in the middle of winter.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Christmas Gift - Amaryllis

Immaculate white hippeastrum, slightly fragrant to change from the classic red Christmas amaryllis!

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Picotee - Amaryllis

Our favourite with its large open trumpet flowers in white to pink, edged with an intense red trim.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Estella

A unique amaryllis! This amaryllis is the closest to a purple colour.

• Height at maturity 70 cm

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Hippeastrum Flamenco Queen - Amaryllis

A very atypical flowering to warm up the home in the heart of winter.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Rilona - Amaryllis

A salmon-orange hippeastrum, slightly fragrant. It produces exceptional flowering.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Hercule - Amaryllis

A hippeastrum with medium pink single flowers delicately veined with white. Very bright to illuminate your home this winter!

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Evergreen - Amaryllis

Our favourite. An original and delicate hippeastrum with refined flowers. Both original and delicate, its flowers are fresh and easy to combine.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Chico - Amaryllis

The Amaryllis Chico belongs to the cybister amaryllis category. It has an extravagant flowering with an exotic appearance.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Hippeastrum Exotic Star - Amaryllis

An extraordinary hippeastrum with graceful and subtly coloured flowers, resembling orchids.

• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Amaryllis belladonna

A perennial lily but frost-sensitive, interesting for its candy pink flowering, slightly fragrant in September. In mild regions, it is ideal in a perennial or late annual bed. Elsewhere, grow it in a pot.

• Flowering time October, November
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Planting Amaryllis

Where to plant it?

Too frost-sensitive to be planted outdoors in most of our regions, Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is primarily grown in pots: it is a bulbous plant for indoor cultivation. Most amaryllis cannot withstand frost, even light. However, Belladonna Lily has low hardiness (down to -5°C), making its cultivation possible in the garden, in light, cool, well-drained, humus-bearing soil, but only in our mildest regions.

When to plant it?

The planting period for Amaryllis bulbs (Hippeastrum) varies depending on the desired flowering time, from late September to late April. Plant them in October to see them bloom at Christmas in your home. Amaryllis Belladonna is planted in spring, after the last frosts.

How to plant it?

The substrate must be light and well-drained as the bulb is sensitive to excess water. The bulb should be healthy, free from mould spots, and firm. Prefer larger bulbs, 30+ at a minimum, which bloom well.

In pots

• Choose a well-drained pot that is not too light, at least 30 cm high and 20 cm in diameter (3 to 5 cm wider than the bulb size)
• Trim the ends of the roots with pruning shears
• Spread a layer of drainage (a bed of clay balls, perlite, or gravel) at the bottom of the pot
• Plant the bulb at soil level, burying it only a third to half in a mixture of half potting soil and half garden soil or in a special flowering plant potting mix
• Firm it down well
• Water sparingly until the stem appears, then water daily
• To accelerate flowering, place the pot in a warm, bright spot, around 20°C, for example, near a radiator and a window
• Be patient: 6 to 8 weeks later, you will see the first flowers appear! If you want to slow down flowering, place the pot in a cool spot at 10°C.

Our advice: plant several bulbs at two-week intervals to enjoy continuous blooms from Christmas to spring.

Note: It is also possible to plant them individually in specific vases or carafes: the water must not come into contact with the bulb to avoid rotting.

→ Discover our advice sheet: “Planting an amaryllis in a pot for indoors” as well as our video tutorial:

→ Also listen to our podcast:

In the ground

In the rare regions where its cultivation in the ground is possible, such as the Mediterranean coast:

• Choose a well-sunny spot sheltered from the cold
• Plant the bulbs 15 to 20 cm deep, spaced 25 to 30 cm apart
• Place the bulbs, collar facing up and flush with the surface, allowing them to protrude almost half their height
• Fill in with a mixture made up of equal parts garden soil, potting soil, and sand
• Firm down and water

→ Also read our tutorial: How to plant Amaryllis?

Amaryllis belladonna in a garden in Finistère and in the Estrela garden in Lisbon

Cultivation and care of the amaryllis

In pots

During growth, stake the flower stem of the Amaryllis or regularly turn your pot a quarter turn to keep it upright. Keep the substrate slightly moist. Once the stem starts to emerge, water more regularly, 2 to 3 times a week.

Watering becomes increasingly frequent as your amaryllis grows. Apply flowering plant fertiliser once a week to support flowering.

If you wish to keep your bulb and have it bloom year after year, pruning is necessary. After flowering, cut the faded flowers 2 to 3 cm above the bulb to prevent seed formation.

Allow the foliage to develop and apply flowering plant fertiliser twice a month. This will help the bulb replenish its reserves. Water moderately and avoid letting water stagnate in the saucers. Place your amaryllis in a cooler environment. After flowering, you can also move the amaryllis outdoors once the risk of frost has passed, in a sheltered and shaded spot.

In summer, start to space out watering and fertiliser applications to encourage the foliage to dry completely. Then, in September, let your potted plants rest for at least 3 months, without watering, in a cool place, between 10 and 15 °C and dry. This is the necessary resting period for your amaryllis to bloom again.

After this dormancy period for the bulb, cut the faded leaves. Top up by replacing the first few centimetres of potting soil with fresh compost. Place your pot back in a warm, light location and resume watering. You should see your amaryllis begin a new growth cycle. Do not repot in autumn, from October to December, in fresh compost more than every 3 years and in a slightly larger pot.

To keep your potted amaryllis outdoors, bring them in during winter to a dry, airy place. You can take them out again the following spring once the frost has passed.

→ Check our advice sheet: “Amaryllis: how to care for, bloom, and rebloom”

In the ground

In summer, water moderately and apply flowering plant fertiliser every 15 days. In autumn, cut back the yellowing foliage, mulch the bulbs to protect them from frost with a layer of leaves or straw.

Possible diseases

Amaryllis bulbs grown indoors rarely encounter cultivation issues. Like many bulbous plants, they can be sensitive to narcissus fly, which causes degeneration of the bulb and leaves: spray a garlic maceration or a tansy decoction as a preventive measure.

Indoors, amaryllis can be susceptible to attacks from thrips, aphids, and mealybugs. Discover our solutions to combat aphids and mealybugs.

In case of insufficiently drained soil and/or excess water, the bulbs may be affected by grey rot: transplant them into well-draining soil.

Associate

In the home, amaryllis thrive on their own in pots. To dress the stems, you can plant a few bulbs of Veltheimia, hyacinths, or snowdrops at their base. Create stunning pot arrangements by collecting pink, red, or white amaryllis and placing them close together.

An idea for an arrangement with Veltheimia ‘Lemon Flame’, Amaryllis ‘Lemon Lime’, and some white hyacinths

In a bed of perennials or late annuals, the hardy Amaryllis Belladonna will accompany crinums, dahlias, gladioli, azaleas, or rhododendrons.

In a bouquet, consider pairing amaryllis flowers with freesias to create exotic and vibrant arrangements.

→ Discover some inspiring display ideas in our article “Outdated, Amaryllis? 4 settings that prove it’s not!”