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When the garden outdoors goes quiet, amaryllis carries color indoors. Buds rise, open, and hold the room with their trumpet shaped flowers, reds, whites, pinks, doubles, and bicolors, often right when you need them most. With simple care, a single bulb can anchor your winter décor now and return for an encore next year.
This guide covers everything you need to know if you have received an amaryllis as a gift or plan to grow one through the season. It includes care for all Jackson & Perkins formats: waxed bulbs, pre-potted bulbs, and amaryllis bulb gardens.
Botanically, the holiday bulbs sold as amaryllis belong to the genus Hippeastrum, native to South America. These tropical bulbs store the energy needed to produce strong stems and large blooms. The leaves that grow after flowering help rebuild the bulb for future years. Waxed bulbs are the one exception because the wax coating prevents a root system from forming.
Amaryllis thrives during the winter months indoors. It does not need chilling or complicated forcing. A single bulb can brighten a room for several weeks and is one of the easiest winter flowering plants to grow. Stems rise steadily, buds open one by one, and every stage is enjoyable to watch.
Color lasts much longer than most cut flowers. For many households, the amaryllis becomes a seasonal ritual to look forward to each year.
Jackson & Perkins ships amaryllis in three formats. Each begins with a high-quality bulb matched to the correct container or best presentation.
Pre-potted bulbs arrive planted in fresh mix inside a decorative container.
When your gift arrives
Blooming usually begins six to twelve weeks from arrival, based on variety and room conditions.
Waxed bulbs are sealed in a decorative coating that contains the moisture needed for the bloom cycle. They require no soil and no water.
How to grow a waxed amaryllis bulb
This is the simplest winter display and ideal for offices, small spaces, and recipients who prefer no-care gifts.
Bulb gardens combine amaryllis with other winter blooming or early growing bulbs. They are arranged to open in sequence so the display lasts several weeks.
How to grow a bulb garden
Amaryllis bulbs are storage vessels. Larger bulbs hold more energy. This usually results in more stems or more flowers per stem.
Some varieties naturally form smaller bulbs and still produce striking flowers. For a fuller look, place two or three medium bulbs in a broad container. Companion plants such as oxalis, ivy, or small ferns create a long, layered show before and after the amaryllis blooms.
Amaryllis responds quickly to the comforts of indoor life. Bright light encourages sturdy stems and regular watering supports consistent growth. Once it settles in, the steady rise of the stems and the slow opening of the buds bring a welcome sense of progress through the winter weeks.
Place amaryllis in bright light. A sunny window is ideal. Insufficient light leads to tall, weak stems that lean toward the sun.
Room temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit support steady growth. Cooler nights between 55 and 65 degrees extend the bloom period.
Water only when needed. The soil should feel moist but never waterlogged. Empty any standing water from decorative containers so the roots do not sit in moisture.
Large flowers can make stems top heavy. Use a simple stake if the plant begins to lean, especially in warm rooms.
Potted gift bulbs contain the energy needed for the season. Begin to feed the plant during the growing months that follow flowering if you plan to rebloom it.
Each amaryllis follows its own pace. Some varieties rush into growth, while others take their time, especially after shipping or a change in temperature. The timeline below gives a general sense of what most bulbs do, but do not worry if yours moves a little faster or slower. Steady care will bring it along.
Early growth usually begins. You may see a leaf tip, a thick flower stalk, or both. Keep the soil lightly moist and rotate the pot so stems grow straight. A slower bulb often needs a few extra days to adjust to indoor light and warmth.
Stems lengthen and buds start to show color. Some varieties bud earlier than others. Continue bright light and thoughtful watering. Add a stake if stems begin to lean, especially with double varieties that carry heavier blooms.
The flowers open gradually and hold well at room temperature. Cool nights extend the show. Remove spent flowers to keep the plant neat and encourage the remaining buds to open cleanly.
Gift bulbs arrive with all the stored energy they need for the current season, so fertilizing is not necessary until after the blooms finish. If you plan to rebloom your bulb, begin feeding once the flowers are removed and the leaves are growing actively. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every few weeks through spring and summer. Stop fertilizing during the rest period, then resume normal watering when you bring the bulb out of dormancy for its next bloom cycle.
Singles, doubles, and triples refer to how many bulbs or stems are grouped in a set, from a single bloom to two or three ready-to-plant bulbs. Whether you prefer a bold pop of color or a fuller, layered bloom, you can choose based on the display you want.
You’ll find striking solid-color bulbs alongside vibrant bicolors like Ferrari, Apple Blossom, and Cherry Nymph, giving you plenty of options to match your style or mood. Looking to plant a dramatic focal point, fill a border, or craft a thoughtful gift? Use the filters to explore by variety, color, or gift type — like single, double, or triple bulb sets (including waxed amaryllis bulbs for easy storage and gifting).
These shortcuts help you quickly narrow down choices and give a gift that blooms just as you envision it.
Cut the flower stalk 1–2 inches above the bulb, but leave all leaves to keep feeding the bulb. Return to bright light; water when the top inch is dry.
Treat like a houseplant in bright light (or set outdoors in frost free weather). Water when needed; feed periodically to rebuild bulb strength.
To time holiday blooms, count back 10–12 weeks from your target date. Stop watering/feeding and place the bulb cool, dark, and dry to rest. Allow foliage to naturally wither.
Bring back to room temperature and begin light watering; resume bright light. Growth begins, followed by buds and flowers.
Waxed amaryllis are created as single-season displays and do not have the root system needed for a true rebloom cycle. Some gardeners enjoy experimenting by removing the wax and planting the bulb in soil. Results vary, and there are occasional successes, but it is not something we can promise. Most often, they are best enjoyed for the season they are designed for.
Where winters are warm, amaryllis can live outside as perennials. In mild zones (8–11), transplant bulbs so the bulb “shoulders” are covered and the neck is exposed, spacing 6–8 inches apart in well drained soil and sun. In cooler regions, keep amaryllis in containers and follow the indoor rebloom schedule above.
Leaves appear before flowers
This is normal for some varieties. Keep conditions consistent.
Slow start after arrival
Bulbs often emerge slowly after shipping and may take a little time to adjust.
Leaning stems
Increase light and rotate the pot. Stake if needed.
Short bloom time
Provide cooler night temperatures to slow the opening of the flowers.
Safety
Keep bulbs and foliage away from pets and children. These plants are not edible.
Amaryllis brings a bit of color and activity to the house during the winter stretch. It grows at a steady pace, the blooms last, and it’s easy to care for along the way. Waxed bulbs are a simple one-season option with no watering. Potted bulbs and bulb gardens give you a bigger display, and you can keep them going for another year if you enjoy the process.
Ready to grow an amaryllis of your own? Our online collection gives you plenty of choices. You can browse by color, bloom style, or format, including waxed bulbs, pre-potted gifts, and bulb gardens. It is an easy way to find the type that fits your space and the look you want.
Tall stems and large flowers can lean toward the light or tilt as they open, especially in warm rooms. A simple amaryllis stake keeps everything upright. If your plant needs the extra support, we offer stakes specifically for amaryllis.
