How to Plant Amaryllis Bulbs

by Suzanne DeJohn

Everyone loves amaryllis, and if you've grown them, you know how quickly and beautifully they bloom, almost like magic. Best of all, growing them takes no gardening experience, and that's why they're so popular in Gift Kits for the holidays. If you've never tried, follow along and learn how to plant amaryllis bulbs the easy way! Even if you've never planted a seed or grown a bulb, you can be an amaryllis expert in minutes. Simply plant your bulb and add water. It's really that simple.

Choose a Pot

If your amaryllis bulb didn't come in a kit with soil and pot, you'll need to find a proper pot. Amaryllis bulbs are the size of a very large onion (or larger), but they like to be somewhat crowded in their pots. Choose a pot that allows about one inch all around and about two inches below your bulb. Be sure it has drainage holes so excess water can drain, and add saucer to catch the runoff.

Plant the Bulb

Place one to two inches of moist potting soil in the bottom of the pot. Set the bulb in the pot pointy end up, roots down. The "shoulders" of the bulb should stick up out of the soil (see illustration above) so adjust the amount of soil if necessary. Fill in around the bulb with potting soil, firming it gently. Water just enough to fully moisten and settle the soil.

Place the pot in a warm spot. It doesn't have to be sunny -- on the top of your refrigerator or near a heater is fine.

Water lightly to keep the soil slightly moist but not wet.

Once the new shoot emerges, place the pot in a sunny window.

Water your amaryllis as needed to keep the soil moist. Now that the pot's in the sun and the plant is growing, you'll need to water more often than you did before. Be sure to empty the saucer to remove excess water. Turn the pot regularly to make the stalk grow straight; otherwise, it will bend and grow towards the light.

Once the plant begins blooming, display it proudly! Did you know you can keep your amaryllis all year and coax it back into bloom next holiday season? For more more information, read Foolproof Amaryllis, Indoors and Out.