When to Start Amaryllis for Christmas Blooms

Amaryllis plants produce the most amazing trumpet-shaped flowers. Some of my readers who live in warmer places can grow these beautiful flowers outside, but in places that aren’t tropical, Amaryllis are houseplants.

Amaryllis are grown from very large bulbs and are a popular Christmas flower. Often they are packaged in pretty boxes that make great gifts. Watch as I show you how to grow amaryllis bulbs inside, and enjoy the pictures of my pretty amaryllis flowers.

Although amaryllis bulbs are marketed as Christmas flowers, I don’t plant mine until after the holiday season. I don’t have room to get bulbs going with all the Christmas décor. Not only that, but I love buying bulbs when they’re on sale and then having them bloom when I’m sick of the dark winter days.

I love the big, bright blooms of amaryllis flowers in the dead of winter more than anything else. Spread out your plantings of Amaryllis bulbs if you have more than one. This way, they will bloom for a few weeks.

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Christmas is a magical time of year filled with traditions decorations, food and most importantly – flowers. What floral display brings more wonder and excitement to the holidays than the amaryllis? These flowering bulbs produce showy, trumpet-shaped blooms on tall stalks, a vibrant pop of color against winter’s neutral backdrop. If you want to guarantee eye-catching amaryllis blooms for Christmas, proper timing while planting the bulbs is key.

Amaryllis Bulb Basics

Before delving into ideal planting times let’s cover some amaryllis bulb basics. Amaryllis bulbs are grown indoors and treated as houseplants to manipulate bloom times. Outdoors they thrive in zones 8-10 and bloom in spring or summer. The bulbs are large, averaging 4-6 inches in diameter. They have a smooth, rounded bottom and a flat, disk-shaped top. Stalks emerge from the center. Look for plump, blemish-free bulbs with visible roots protruding from the bottom. Bulbs are sold based on their circumference, commonly measuring 24/26 cm or up. Larger bulbs produce more blooms.

Amaryllis prefer bright, indirect light when grown indoors. Plant bulbs in pots with drainage holes, using a commercial potting mix. Bury the bulb halfway, leaving the top 1/3 exposed. Water sparingly after planting. Blooms will emerge on tall, sturdy stalks about 6-8 weeks after planting. Provide a stake for support if needed.

When to Plant for Christmas

Amaryllis bulbs require 6-8 weeks of growth before blooming. To enjoy blooms at Christmas, your target planting window is early to mid-November. This gives the bulbs enough time to establish roots and send up flower stalks, while timing the blooms to open around late December

Here are some tips to increase your success:

  • Stagger planting dates – Plant one bulb the first week of November, a second 1-2 weeks later. This accounts for variations between bulbs and expands your bloom window.

  • Purchase larger bulbs – Bulbs 30/32 cm and up yield more blooms per stalk and multiple flower stalks. More blooms mean a longer bloom time.

  • Plant in a warm spot – Amaryllis prefer consistent warmth around 70°F while growing. Keep away from drafty windows and doors.

  • Turn the pot – Rotate the pot every few days for even growth and to prevent stalks from bending toward light.

  • Provide bright, indirect light – A sunny window or bright room is ideal. Avoid direct hot sunlight which can burn leaves.

  • Water carefully – Check soil regularly and water when just the top 1-2 inches become dry. Take care not to overwater.

Step-by-Step Planting

Follow these simple steps for planting success:

  1. Fill the pot 1/3 full with commercial potting soil. Form a mound in the center.

  2. Position the bulb on the soil mound with roots facing down. Leave 1/3 of the top exposed.

  3. Fill soil around the root base. Pat down gently but avoid packing tightly.

  4. Water thoroughly after planting until it drains from the bottom. Pour out excess water.

  5. Place the pot in a warm, bright indoor location like a sunny window.

  6. Turn the pot every few days to promote even growth. Provide a stake once stems grow tall.

  7. Water moderately when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Be careful not to overwater.

  8. Enjoy Christmas cheer when vibrant blooms open 6-8 weeks after planting!

Ongoing Amaryllis Care

Extend your amaryllis enjoyment beyond the holidays with proper care:

  • Cut spent blooms just below the flower head to encourage more blooms.

  • Keep the pot in a sunny window and water when the top inch of soil dries out.

  • Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks while actively growing.

  • Allow all foliage to die back naturally after blooming concludes in late spring.

  • Stop watering in late summer and place the dormant bulb in a cool, dark place for 6-8 weeks.

  • After the rest period, cut off dead foliage and restart the planting process in fall.

With the right timing while planting amaryllis bulbs in early November, you can look forward to a dazzling display of Christmas blooms. Follow these tips for success growing amaryllis indoors and you’ll enjoy these spectacular flowers every holiday season.

when to start amaryllis for christmas

Supplies for Growing Amaryllis as an Indoor Plant

  • Amaryllis Bulb – the size of the bulb matters. Buy the biggest bulbs you can find because big bulbs mean big flowers.
  • Potting Mix – Choose a good mix for bulbs. It’s best for them if the soil is rich and drains well. I’ve been thinking I might try these. An expert in the area I talk to thinks this soil mix is great.
  • Container with holes for drainage and a saucer. Choose a heavy pot so it doesn’t fall over as the amaryllis grows and becomes top heavy.
  • Water and Fertilizer

Determining the Bloom Time of Amaryllis

There’s no guaranteed way to determine the bloom time of Amaryllis. From what I’ve seen, it takes between six and eight weeks (sometimes less, sometimes more) after planting the bulb for it to bloom. Here is a handy chart I put together to make estimating the time easier. When should you plant the bulb for your Amaryllis to bloom in time for Christmas? It should be around November 1.

In the Gardening Resources Library, you can get a free printable Amaryllis Bloom Chart as well as information on how to grow Amaryllis indoors. Complete the form below for immediate access, as well as access to all of Gingham Gardens’ Gardening Printables.

How to Plant Amaryllis for Christmas

FAQ

When should I force my amaryllis bulb for Christmas?

If you want blooms on December 25, plant amaryllis bulbs the first week of November. If you’re not too fussy about the actual timing of the bloom, then start them anytime during the month of November. It’s not like you’d be sad to have a giant red flower blooming in your house in January.

When should I wake up my amaryllis?

After your amaryllis has rested for 2 to 5 months, you can start again. There’s no rush, so if you have several bulbs you may want to start them at different times. Repot the bulb using fresh growing mix. Water once and move the pot into a bright, 60-65°F room.

How do I get my amaryllis to bloom again for Christmas?

This can be done by forcing your plants into dormancy by placing them in a cool (45 to 55°F), dark location. The bulb will need to go through a resting period for approximately eight to twelve weeks before it can be forced to bloom again. During this time, do not water the plants.

When should I plant a Christmas Amaryllis?

As I already stated, if you want to guarantee a Christmas amaryllis bloom you should plant another amaryllis bulb about 10 – 9 weeks before Christmas, in early October. This way you are almost guaranteed to have a Christmas bloom and may end up with 2 blooming plants.

Will Amaryllis bloom for Christmas?

However, they will bloom in spring. In order to grow amaryllis to bloom for Christmas, follow the growing schedule outlined below. Amaryllis bulbs are sold in the fall. At this time they are dormant, meaning they don’t have any leaves or active growth. Look for bulbs that are clean and dry with lots of roots coming out of the base.

How do you grow an Amaryllis plant for a Christmas Bloom?

Here are 9 steps for cultivating your amaryllis plant for a Christmas bloom: Begin with a new bulb. Alternatively, if you plan to use an existing plant you will need to force the bulb into dormancy first (follow these instructions for doing that).

When do Amaryllis Bloom?

If the amaryllis ends up being an extremely early bloomer, and flowers after 6 weeks, you should still have some blooms left come Christmas week. If it blooms after 8 weeks, which is the average, the plant will start to bloom in November and you will have a vibrant flowers at Christmas.

When should I plant amaryllis bulbs?

If working with a new, dormant bulb, you will want to plant about 10-12 weeks before the desired bloom time. Bulbs should be kept cool until planting time (note: amaryllis do not require a true ‘chilling period’ like some other bulb varieties like hyacinth or crocus do).

Do Amaryllis bloom in winter?

Here’s how it works. Amaryllis are hugely popular houseplants that traditionally bloom in winter and bring a vibrant pop of color to the home throughout the colder months. They are very simple to grow and usually bloom within eight weeks of planting the bulbs.

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