Amaryllis bulbs

Amaryllis bulbs are best planted from October to January, depending on when you would like them to flower. For a winter display, plant the bulbs in autumn and grow them indoors in a warm, bright position. Most amaryllis take around six to eight weeks to flower after planting, although timing varies by variety and growing conditions.

Plant an amaryllis bulb in a pot only slightly wider than the bulb itself, using a free-draining peat-free compost. Position the bulb with the pointed end upwards and leave the upper part of the bulb exposed above the compost. Water after planting and place the pot somewhere warm and bright.

Amaryllis bulbs should not be completely buried. Leave roughly the upper third to two-thirds of the bulb, including the neck, above the surface of the compost. Keeping part of the bulb exposed helps reduce the risk of rot and is quite different from the way most outdoor flower bulbs are planted.

Most amaryllis bulbs flower around six to eight weeks after planting, although some can take longer. Temperature, variety and the stage of the bulb when planted all influence flowering time. If you are growing amaryllis for Christmas, planting in October gives you the best chance of flowers around the festive period, although exact timing cannot be guaranteed.

Water an amaryllis sparingly after planting until active growth begins. Once leaves and a flower stem are developing, water more regularly, allowing excess water to drain away and never leaving the pot standing in water. The compost should remain lightly moist rather than permanently wet, as overwatering can cause the bulb to rot.

Place your amaryllis in a warm, bright position indoors, ideally with plenty of filtered light. Turning the pot regularly can help prevent the flower stem leaning strongly towards the light. Once the flowers open, moving the plant to a slightly cooler room can help the display last longer.

Once the flowers have faded, cut the spent flower stem back but leave the green leaves in place. Continue watering and feeding while the foliage is actively growing so the bulb can rebuild its energy reserves. Later in the year, watering can be reduced to give the bulb a cooler, drier resting period before it is encouraged back into growth.

Yes. Amaryllis bulbs can flower again for many years with the right care. The key is to keep the leaves healthy after flowering so they can replenish the bulb, followed by a cooler resting period later in the year. Once the rest period is complete, return the pot to warmer conditions and resume watering to encourage a new cycle of growth and flowering.

An amaryllis may fail to flower if the bulb has not rebuilt enough energy after its previous display, has been grown in insufficient light or has not received enough water while actively growing. Cutting the leaves off too early can also weaken the bulb. Give the foliage plenty of time to grow after flowering and provide regular water and feeding before allowing the bulb its resting period.