Force Amaryllis for the Holidays

Force Amaryllis Indoors for the Holidays

Now that fall is here (on the western hemisphere), it’s time to get your bulbs for forcing. Several options exist for types of bulbs to grow as houseplants, but one of the most spectacular and reliable of indoor bloomers is amaryllis.

Within 6 to 8 weeks of planting amaryllis indoors, the bulb blooms. Plant your amaryllis bulbs soon, and you’ll enjoy this stunning tropical flower lighting up your indoor garden during the holiday season, says Hans Langeveld, who co-owns LongField Gardens, which carries a wide assortment of amaryllis bulbs for forcing.

Amaryllis come in many colors and patterns, from solid colors like white, green, pink, red, burgundy and cream, to eye-catching variegated patterns that contain stripes, speckles and spots. Oversized flower heads appear at the end of 12- to 18-inch-long stalks and last for several days once open.

Keep the following cultivation tips in mind when growing amaryllis as a houseplant.

 (All photos this page, LongField Gardens)

Choosing Amaryllis Bulbs

Pick the largest amaryllis bulbs, as they will produce the biggest flowers and the strongest stems. If you’re ordering mail-order, the sooner you place your order, the better chance you have of getting large bulbs.  

Check for firmness. Amaryllis bulbs should have no mushy spots or look to be rotting. 

Planting Amaryllis Bulbs

Plant amaryllis pointy side up in a container without drainage holes that contains loose, well-draining soil. Or grow them in a glass container filled with polished river rocks.

For amaryllis in containers, fill the pot three-quarters full with soil and place the bulb into the soil, until it almost covers the bulb, but leaves an inch of the bulb tip exposed. For amaryllis grown in river rock, submerge the bulb until the top half is located above the rocks and the bottom half below.

Watering Amaryllis Bulbs

 Water amaryllis when planting to moisten the soil and then keep the container moist but not soggy during the growth and flowering process. For amaryllis grown in water, keep the rocks filled with water to just below the bottom of the bulb. Once the rocks fill with roots, keep the water level high enough to submerge the roots. 

Indoor Amaryllis Location 

Place amaryllis in a bright location, such as an unobstructed eastern or southern window. The bulbs also respond well under artificial lighting, such as full-spectrum bulbs. Locate the bulbs away from drafty locations like heating ducts and doors and windows.

Fertilizing Amaryllis

Bulbs don’t require feeding until the flowers are spent. It is after blooming finishes that the bulbs store up energy for re-blooming. Try feeding amaryllis with a bulb food, and you may enjoy re-flowering next spring or summer.