Amaryllis are easy to care for and its bulbs make good Christmas gifts.

While grocery shopping the other day, I found the most peculiar thing in the flower section – a bulb wrapped in wax with a green shoot coming out. Upon investigation, I realized that this was an Amaryllis bulb designed to be an easy gift for the holiday season. There are several varieties of Amaryllis available. Some of my favorites are “Christmas Gift,” which has a pure white flower with a green throat, and “Red Lion,” a variety with dark red flowers. There are also varieties which boast double blooms. These varieties include “Dancing Queen,” which is red and white striped, as well as “Blossoming Peacock,” a white flower with brushed rosy-pink edges.

How do we take care of these beautiful blooms? The Amaryllis originates from South America, so they love sunny windows and require around six hours of full sun daily. Be sure to keep them away from drafty windows – excessive cold and frost can kill an Amaryllis. Use well-draining soil, keep it moist, but not too wet. Amaryllis can suffer from root rot. Fertilizer should be applied monthly. To promote blooms, use a fertilizer high in phosphorus. If your bulb is not blooming, it is typically due to a lack of nutrients stored in the bulb. In this situation, fertilize more frequently and to encourage blooms the next time around, in approximately 12 weeks.

The wax-covered bulb I found at the grocery store will likely only bloom once because the bulb will exhaust all its nutrients producing one flower. Looking for year-round blooms instead? Choose a firm, large bulb showing new growth. Proper selection of bulbs is the easiest way to prevent potential problems, such as red blotch. Also, larger bulbs mean more nutrients, which leads to more flowers. Bulbs should be planted in a container one inch wider than the widest part of the bulb and twice as tall. Amaryllis prefers to be root bound with the top half to one-third of the bulb above the soil. Expect a bloom 6-12 weeks after planting.

Unlike other holiday plants, such as Christmas cactus and Poinsettia, house cultivars of Amaryllis do not require a dormant period to bloom and can provide year-round blooms. However, if you want a bloom for Christmas, plant your bulb in October or plant around Thanksgiving for a Valentine’s Day bloom. To force a bloom at a specific time, such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day, the Amaryllis must be dormant for a period. Place your Amaryllis in a cool place, around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and do not water. When the leaves become brown and dry, remove them, and place the bulb in a dark spot for 8-12 weeks, periodically checking for mold or mildew. If new growth appears in that time, move to a sunny location. If there is no growth after 12 weeks, move it to a sunny location. Once the bulb has been moved, water and fertilize to provide energy for flower stalk production. Plan for a flower in 4-6 weeks.

For all the science lovers out there, here are a few facts about this flowering bulb. The Amaryllis plants we see during the holidays were once part of the Amaryllis genus. These plants are native to South Africa. The Amaryllis plant is now considered to be part of the Hippeastrum genus which is native to South America. The term “Amaryllis” is derived from the Greek word meaning “to sparkle.” Add a sparkle to your home with a holiday Amaryllis.

Happy holidays and enjoy your beautiful blooms!