Winter Bulbs: Amaryllis

Lots of people start amaryllis bulbs during the cold months for bright winter color. These bulbs like a regular supply of water, but they don’t like to be in soggy soil, so use a good potting mix cut with some sand, vermiculite or perlite.  Amaryllis need a pot only slightly larger than the bulb (1-2 inches of potting mix around the bulb) with good drainage. Make sure the top 1/3 of the bulb is above the soil, and don’t water directly on the bulb – pour around it.  If your house is really dry, you may need to water every few days.  Amaryllis are tropical plants, so a warm spot by a sunny, south-facing window is ideal.  After the flower stem dies, cut it back and enjoy the foliage as a house plant.  Download our free growing guide on amaryllis.