Learn the easy Tricks to Make Amaryllis Bloom on Time for the Holidays and enjoy beautiful flowers during Christmas and New Year.
Amaryllis flowers are loved for their tall stems and big, colorful blooms that bring cheer during the winter months. Many people like to time their amaryllis so that the flowers open around Christmas or New Year. With the right care and a little planning, you can make sure your amaryllis puts on a show right when you want it to. Here are some simple tricks to help you make an amaryllis bloom on time for the holidays.
Tricks to Make Amaryllis Bloom on Time for the Holidays
1. Choose the Right Bulb
Start with a large, healthy bulb. Bigger bulbs usually have more energy stored inside, which means stronger stems and more blooms. When buying, pick firm bulbs without soft spots or signs of rot.
Amaryllis have been grown and sold for more than 100 years. Today, they are produced in places like Holland, South Africa, Israel, Brazil, Peru, and Japan. Bulbs from the southern hemisphere (such as South Africa, Brazil, and Peru) usually bloom in December, while bulbs from the northern hemisphere (like Holland, Japan, Israel, and the U.S.) bloom later, from late January to March.
If you buy bulbs from both regions, you can enjoy flowers for a longer time. However, when you buy amaryllis bulbs from big box stores, it’s often hard to know where the bulbs came from.
2. Select Different Amaryllis Varieties
Genetics affect when plants bloom. For example, the peony variety Bowl of Beauty blooms early in the season, while Sarah Bernhardt blooms about two weeks later. Amaryllis work the same way—some types bloom faster than others. By choosing bulbs based on their bloom time, you can enjoy flowers for months instead of just weeks.
3. Use Heat and Light to Control Growth Rate
Before planting, store the bulbs in a dark, cool place around 45°F with good air circulation—avoid plastic bags. After potting, keep the bulbs in two different growing zones with bright, indirect light. You can slow growth in cooler areas (55–60°F) or speed it up in warmer spots (65–70°F) to adjust bloom time.
Once the amaryllis start flowering, keep the blooms cool to make them last longer. Avoid direct sunlight and, if possible, move the pot to a cooler room at night. You can also cut the flowers and enjoy them in a vase—they last just as long as on the plant.
4. Plan Ahead
Amaryllis bulbs need 6 to 8 weeks to bloom after planting. Count backward from the date you want flowers. For Christmas blooms, plant bulbs in early to mid-November. If you want them for the New Year, plant them a bit later.
5. Pot Them Properly
Plant the bulb in a pot that drains well. Leave about one-third of the bulb sticking out above the soil. Water the soil lightly after planting and place the pot in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.
6. Give Warmth First
Amaryllis bulbs wake up faster in warm conditions. Keep them in a room that stays around 70–75°F (21–24°C) until the shoots appear. Once the stem begins to grow, you can move the plant to a slightly cooler spot to make the blooms last longer.
7. Water with Care
Don’t water too much before growth starts—just a little to keep the soil barely moist. Once the stem appears, water regularly, but make sure the pot never sits in standing water. Too much water can cause the bulb to rot.
8. Turn the Pot for Straight Stems
Amaryllis stems lean toward the light. Turn the pot every few days so the stem grows straight. This also helps the plant look even and balanced.
9. Support Tall Stems
The stems can grow very tall and may need support. Use a thin stake or a decorative support ring to keep them upright, especially if the flowers are heavy.
10. Slow Down the Bloom if Needed
If your amaryllis looks like it will bloom too early, you can move the pot to a cooler, darker spot. This will slow down its growth so that the flowers open closer to the holiday.
11. Speed It Up if It’s Late
If the bulb seems slow, move it to a warmer spot with more light. You can also water it with slightly warm (not hot) water to encourage faster growth.
