When to Plant Amaryllis Bulbs for Blooms by Christmas

Amaryllis flowers in pots on a windowsill — Credit:
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Key Points

Timing is key—plant amaryllis bulbs in mid-November to enjoy their bright blooms just in time for Christmas.
Give bulbs bright, indirect light, steady warmth, and careful watering to help them grow strong, colorful flowers.
After flowering, keep leaves healthy and let bulbs rest in cool conditions so they can bloom again next year.

Timing your blooms with the Christmas festivities is one of our favorite ways to prepare for the magical season. Whether you use them as a stunning centerpiece for your feast or decorate your living room tables with them, blooming amaryllis are truly eye-catching seasonal flowers. With just a little knowledge and preparation, you can have beautiful amaryllis blooms by Christmas if you plant them at the right time. We talked to horticultural experts to find out when the best time is to plant flowering amaryllis bulbs, along with how to care for the bulbs after they flower so you can enjoy them again next year.

Kelly Funk, president & CEO of Jackson & Perkins
Justin Hancock, Horticulturist at Costa Farms

The Right Time to Plant Amaryllis Bulbs

When planting amaryllis bulbs for a holiday bloom, timing is everything. The best time to plant them is in mid-November because they can take six to 10 weeks after planting to fully bloom, according to Funk. "Some varieties are earlier or later than others, so it’s best to check the expected bloom window when you purchase them," says Kelly Funk, president & CEO of Jackson & Perkins. "For example, ‘Minerva’ and ‘Red Lion’ bloom a bit faster than specialty hybrids."

Promoting Healthy Blooms

Growing amaryllis bulbs requires the same care as most flowers and plants. But if you want them to bloom in time for Christmas, there are a few tips on potting mix and planting, sunlight and temperature, and watering that will help ensure you can enjoy these beautiful blooms throughout the holidays.

Potting Mix and Planting

For amaryllis bulbs, any quality potting mix will do as long as it provides a good balance of air space and moisture-holding capacity, according to Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms. "Choose a container just an inch wider than the bulb and use a well-draining potting mix. Plant with the top third of the bulb above the soil line," Hancock recommends.

Sunlight and Temperature

Amaryllis bulbs are reliant on specific light and temperature conditions because of their time-sensitive blooming period during the Christmas season. "The more light the leaves get, the more energy they'll have to channel into healthy growth and lots of big, beautiful flowers," says Hancock.

When deciding where to place your plant, find a spot in your home that gets bright, indirect sunlight with a room temperature of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. "Warmer conditions encourage quicker growth, while cooler rooms may slow the process," says Funk.

Since amaryllis bulbs are so sensitive to sunlight and temperature, there are ways you can influence the blooming time slightly. "If the bulb is developing too quickly, move it to a cooler, dimmer location to slow it down. If it’s lagging behind, give it more warmth and bright light to encourage growth," says Funk.

When it comes to growing any flower, it's hard to perfectly control the timing of when it blooms, but with small adjustments in temperatures and light, you can help shift amaryllis blooms by a week or two.

Watering

While caring for an amaryllis bulb, take note of its progress as it grows. Funk recommends watering the bulbs thoroughly after planting, but then sparingly until you begin to see active growth. Once you notice that the growth has begun, water the bulbs regularly—but never allow them to sit in water. Overwatering is a common mistake gardeners make, and it often leads to root rot.

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Preserving Bulbs for Next Year

After you've enjoyed the blooms during the holidays, you can preserve the amaryllis bulb for the following year. Funk explains her method of cutting the spent flower stalk but leaving the foliage to continue absorbing light. Then, treat it like a houseplant—keep it in bright light and fertilize it every few weeks throughout the spring and summer months.

In the fall, once the weather begins to cool, let the bulb get cool as well. Leaving it in an environment of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit and reducing its watering will allow it to go dormant, and the foliage will die back, says Hancock. Then, in mid-November, when you want it to bloom again for Christmas, start giving it warmer temperatures and water again.

Don't want to fuss with reblooming? Opt for fresh, prepped amaryllis bulbs each year. Many growers now offer wax-dipped bulbs that don't require watering—simply place them where you'd like to display and watch them grow, says Hancock. Although waxed bulbs are typically tossed after flowering, you can extend their life by carefully removing the wax and replanting them in quality potting mix.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Planting too deeply: The shoulders of the bulb should always sit above the soil line; never cover the bulb with soil.
Overwatering: One of the biggest mistakes is watering the bulb too much before it has even sprouted, which often leads to root rot.
Not enough light: Many gardeners underestimate how much light the leaves need to flourish. Make sure to place the plant in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight and a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lacking post-bloom care: Just because it's bloomed doesn't mean you can stop caring for it. Post-bloom care is essential for amaryllis bulbs so that they can recharge them to re-bloom the following year.