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Amaryllis - Facts and care instructions

Plant guide
Celebration
Christmas
Amaryllis is one of our most beloved Christmas flowers, both potted and as cut flowers. The most common variety has red flowers, but amaryllis also come in other colors, such as white and pink, as well as two-toned varieties.,Scientific name (Latin): HippeastrumFamily: Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae)
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  • Quick guide for amaryllis

    Light requirements
    Place your amaryllis in a bright spot. The flower stems will lean towards the light, so rotate the pot regularly to help the stem grow straight.

    Watering amaryllis
    Water sparingly, a shot glass of water each week is usually sufficient. This will enhance the colors of the amaryllis and also help it bloom longer. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

    Support
    Large-flowered varieties may need support when the flowers open, smart amaryllis supports are available in our stores. For the same reason, it's good to plant the amaryllis in a stable planting container to prevent it from tipping over.

  • You can find a wide selection of amaryllis in stores around Christmas, but you can also grow your own bulbs. The bulbs you buy in stores are pre-grown to bloom just in time for Christmas. If you have saved bulbs from the previous year, it may be a bit trickier to get them to bloom at the right time. The basic rule is: the larger the bulb, the more flowers.

  • This is how you get your amaryllis to bloom when you want

    Many wonder how they can get amaryllis to bloom in time for Christmas. It's not always easy, but you can actually influence the blooming with light and water.

  • Plant amaryllis bulbs

    If you have bought a bulb that is pre-grown to bloom for Christmas, plant it in November. Please soak the roots in water for a day before planting, so they can absorb water and come to life. Avoid wetting the actual bulb.

    Pour clay pebbles in the bottom of a pot and then fill it up with regular potting soil.

    Place the bulb so that two thirds of it is covered by soil. There should be at least 3-4 cm between the bulb and the edge of the pot.

    Water through the soil and place the pot in a window, preferably above a radiator. Ideally, cover the plant so that it is dark, as the roots need darkness and warmth to develop. If the bulb does not sprout, it is usually because it is kept too cold.

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  • Water the amaryllis properly

    When you have watered the plant thoroughly at planting, it should not need more water until the flower stalk emerges. This usually happens within a week. Water from the bottom if possible.

    Keep an eye on the flowers. If they wilt or turn bluish-green in color, you may need to water a little more.

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  • Four ways to vary your amaryllis

    Thanks to its sturdy and hollow stem, the amaryllis is easy to play with and offers plenty of possibilities for variation. Here are four suggestions:

    Hang the amaryllis upside down
    Hang the flower in your finest silk ribbon or in a rustic string. Hang it on the wall, in the window, or in front of a mirror. Keep it in a good mood by watering it gently in the hollow stem.

    Let it stand in a group with other Christmas flowers
    Amaryllis works perfectly in a group with other Christmas flowers like hyacinths and Christmas roses. Or why not plant it together with other favorites that are not classic Christmas flowers at all?

    Alone is strong
    Create a still life with a single amaryllis flower on a plate surrounded by your finest Christmas decorations.

    Create a beautiful bouquet!
    Use the amaryllis as a cut flower. Place them in a vase instead of a pot and you immediately have a more modern style for Christmas at home.

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  • Save and hibernate amaryllis bulbs

    You can save amaryllis bulbs from year to year. Here's how:

    Trim away the flower remnants when the amaryllis has finished blooming so the plant doesn't waste energy on forming seeds.

    Wait to cut off the flower stalk until it has withered down properly.

    Leave the amaryllis outdoors over the summer. Place it in a sheltered spot in partial shade. Water and fertilize to fill the bulb with vitality.

    Stop watering the bulb in September. Bring it inside and place it in a dry and cool place at 12-20°C, preferably in the basement.

    In November, it's time to bring out the bulb again. Then replant it and water it, looking forward to a new bloom.

  • A plant of many names

    In addition to being called amaryllis, it has also been given names such as Love flower, Dancing Queen, and Aphrodite over the years. The name amaryllis is believed to come from Carl Linnaeus seeing similarities between the flower stem with its two bracts and a horse's head.

  • Facts about amaryllis

    The amaryllis is a bulbous plant with one to three flower stalks per bulb, depending on the variety and how much nutrients are stored in the bulb.

    Common varieties include Hippeastrum and Red garden.

    The flower stalks can grow to be 30-60 cm tall and consist of 3-6 bells.

    There are both small-flowered, so-called miniature amaryllis and large-flowered amaryllis.

    There is a wide range of colors to choose from, including white amaryllis, red amaryllis, and shades of pink, orange, and red. There are also varieties with two-colored flowers.

    Some varieties have single bells and others have double. The leaves are elongated and can grow up to 50 cm long, usually appearing after flowering.