There are many flower bulbs that you can force to grow indoors to bloom in time for Christmas—and amaryllis tops this list!. Add some life to your Christmas decorations or pair this popping red floral with your evergreens. Here’s how you can easily force an amaryllis to bloom indoors during the winter season!
Choosing a Christmas Amaryllis Bulb
Amaryllis is one of the most spectacular bulbs, particularly around Christmas time. They are sturdy and have stunning blooms with a wide range of colors, including reds, oranges, pinks and whites. You can also find bicolor varieties and unique colors, like green!
The first step to growing amaryllis is to choose the bulb! Make sure your bulb is healthy, without any spots or mold. Start with a larger bulb, measuring about 11 inches in circumference; this will ensure that the flower has good stems to support the blooms.
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).
If you are forcing blooms on amaryllis that was in your summer garden, cut back the flower stalks after summer blooming, but let the foliage continue to grow. Stop feeding in August. Then, in September, stop watering it and bring it indoors, storing it in a cool, dry spot. This will trigger a short dormancy.
The foliage will start to die, and the lack of water will force another flower stalk to grow. Once you see a new, green stalk begin to emerge, you can relocate the plant to a warm location and resume watering.
How to Care for Your Christmas Amaryllis
Plant your amaryllis in a pot that is just large enough to accommodate the bulb and no more. They only need 1-2 inches wider than the diameter of the bulb for healthy growth. Choose a festive Christmas-themed pot if you want to go all-out.
The soil should be well-draining to prevent root rot. You can place a small stake in the soil to help stabilize it while it roots. Make sure there is a couple of inches of soil beneath the bulb, and that about a third of the bulb is above the soil line. Water right after planting, ensuring the excess moisture is draining, and then leave it alone until you see the green growth emerge.
Amaryllis bulbs require bright, indirect light and an ideal temperature for successful forcing, typically around 70-75℉. At this point in their growing cycle, no feeding is necessary. Forcing amaryllis slowly is crucial to develop sturdy stems. Even if the leaves aren’t opening easily, that’s alright—it’s the sturdy stems that are important! Rotate the pot every few days to keep the stems growing straight.
Preserving Your Amaryllis for Spring
Your amaryllis will bloom for seven weeks or longer! You can prolong the bloom time by keeping it cool, around 53-65℉. Amaryllis bulbs prefer to be kept just moist but not overwatered.
When each stem of your amaryllis is finished blooming (hopefully after Christmas is over!), cut the stem at the base, but let the leaves continue to grow. Store in a cool window until they can be planted in the garden in the spring.
Amaryllis are great flowers for the Christmas season and are easy to force indoors. If you’re interested in growing your own from bulbs, head to Plant Perfect to find Christmas amaryllis for sale. We’d love to contribute to your holiday spirit!