In the world of indoor plants, the amaryllis stands out as one of the most popular and festive. The bulbous plant, also known as a naked lady or a belladonna lily, blooms in December with striking red, purple and orange petals that look like something straight out of a fairy tale. Amaryllis are perfect for giving as gifts or keeping for yourself: They’re easy to grow, require very little attention and are virtually maintenance free (once you get them through their initial awkward teenage phase). This ultimate guide to Christmas amaryllis will help you understand everything there is to know about this beautiful holiday houseplant.
What is a Christmas Amaryllis?
The amaryllis is a tropical plant that blooms with large, colorful flowers. There are over 100 different species of amaryllis around the world, and the most popular species is the Hippeastrum, which is the type of amaryllis that you’re most likely to see during the holidays. Amaryllis are often confused with other types of flowering bulbs, like tulips, lilies and daffodils. While bulbs are all flowering plants that store nutrients in fleshy underground organs called “roots,” amaryllis are a type of flowering plant that stores nutrients in bulbs (a.k.a. plant stems that are underground).
Why Should You Own a Christmas Amaryllis?
The amaryllis is a truly exceptional holiday bloomer, and its large, long-lasting flowers make it one of the most popular indoor plants. It’s also quite easy to care for: Unlike many other indoor plants, the amaryllis does not require high-intensity light, frequent watering or any other complex growing requirements. The amaryllis will bloom for you in the dark, without water or any other care. The Christmas amaryllis blooms in December, which means that it’s a perfect gift for the holiday season. It can be given to anyone, anywhere and has the added bonus of being a one-time gift: Once it has bloomed, you can just toss the plant outdoors.
How to Care for Your Christmas Amaryllis?
The amaryllis is a very forgiving plant and is incredibly easy to take care of. All you have to do is follow these three easy steps: – Select an appropriate container – The amaryllis can grow up to three feet tall, so make sure you use a container that’s large enough to accommodate its growth. – Select a good soil mixture – It’s best to mix a general potting soil with some perlite or sand to ensure good drainage. – Place the plant in a well-lit area – The plant should be placed in an area with bright, indirect sunlight. – Fertilize the plant once a month – Feeding the plant once a month will make sure that it grows strong and produces large, colorful flowers. – Water the plant when the soil feels dry – Water the plant when the soil feels dry. Don’t leave it in standing water, though: Overwatering is the most common mistake made by amaryllis growers. Christmas Amaryllis
Tips for Growing Christmas Amaryllis
– The amaryllis is a tropical plant, and it likes warm temperatures. Make sure that your home is heated to a minimum of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. – To make the plant bloom, you need to trick the plant into thinking that it is entering a winter-like state. This can be done by putting the pot in a cooler area of the house, in a garage or basement, putting the pot in a bucket of sand, covering the pot with a cardboard box and watering the soil once a month. – When the plant has finished blooming, you can either throw it away or take the leaves and put them in a compost pile.
Wrapping up
The amaryllis is a truly exceptional holiday bloomer and it’s incredibly easy to care for. It’s also quite inexpensive: You can buy a Christmas amaryllis bulb for as little as $5. – To make your amaryllis bloom, you need to trick it into thinking that it is entering a winter-like state. This can be done by putting the pot in a cooler area of the house, in a garage or basement, putting the pot in a bucket of sand, covering the pot with a cardboard box and watering the soil once a month. – When the plant has finished blooming, you can either throw it away or take the leaves and put them in a compost pile.
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