Garden writer and expert Alys Fowler shares six tips for planting amaryllis, or Hippeastrum, bulbs indoors
Bulbs don’t get much more exotic than amaryllis (Hippeastrum), which can be planted indoors between October and April for flowers from late December to June, flowering around eight weeks after planting.
Here’s more on how to care for an amaryllis or Hippeastrum.
How to plant an amaryllis bulb
Buy the largest bulbs you can afford
Buy the largest bulbs you can as these produce the biggest blooms. The best amaryllis bulbs are plump and feel heavy and dry. There should be no signs of mould or rot, particularly around the neck of the bulb. The fleshy roots can be soaked for several hours in water; balancing the bulb on a jam jar of warm water is easiest, but make sure the base of the bulb doesn’t get wet.
Improve drainage
Use grit or sand to improve drainage in your potting compost. As it’s heavier than perlite, grit or sand, grit makes the pot less likely to fall over when the plant has reached its full height. Mix at least one part grit or sand to two parts bulb compost or good quality multipurpose compost.
Don’t submerge the whole bulb
Plant the bulb with its shoulders proud of the soil: two thirds below, one third above. This makes the hippeastrum bulbs less prone to rot. Top-dress with grit as this deters compost flies and draws water away from the amaryllis bulb. Water in well.
Keep at the right temperature
If it’s too warm and dark you’ll get a long, floppy stem. The ideal temperature is 22°C. Once the bloom is out, it will last longer if you move the plant to a cooler room.