How Tall Is an Amaryllis Before Blooming?

About Amaryllis

• Though Amaryllis is now commonly grown in many areas of the United States, it is native to portions of Central and South America and the tropical Caribbean. The only species of true Amaryllis is called Belladonna Lily, though a similar, winter-blooming flower is often given the misnomer Christmas Amaryllis. Amaryllis is usually grown from bulbs, which sprout one of two stems and a cluster of two to five brightly-colored flowers on each. Amaryllis symbolizes pride and splendid beauty.

Selecting Amaryllis Bulbs

• As with most bulb-blooming plants, your success in growing Amaryllis depends a good deal on selecting the correct bulb. The largest bulbs are more likely to produce more than one blooming stalk, which is often desirable to growers. It is most important, though, that your bulb is not bruised or damaged and has a sturdy, vigorous existing system of roots. Select the largest bulb that fits this criteria.

  The roots of the Amaryllis require hydration before planting. Place the bulb roots-down in a pie plate filled with room-temperature water for several hours prior to planting.

Planting Your Amaryllis

• Plant the bulb in a pot at least twice the height of the bulb itself. Hold the bulb so that only 1/3 is inside the pot and use your other hand to fill the pot with high-sphagnum potting soil. When the soil is high enough to keep the bulb where you are holding it, allow the bulb to rest on the soil. Gently pat the soil down around the bulb and make sure the roots are covered well. Water around the bulb to saturate the top inch of soil and place the Amaryllis in a sunny area.

Caring for Your Amaryllis

• The Amaryllis will need plenty of sunlight, and a steady temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If your home cannot maintain this temperature range, a green house or terrarium might be best.

  Amaryllis bulbs may drown easily; only water around the bulb two to three times a week until you see growth, then only water to keep the top inch of soil moist.

  Apply all-purpose fertilizer to the soil once a month, and remember to give your plant plenty of sunlight.

  Once the Amaryllis has finished blooming, its cycle is over. The plant will go dormant until the next growing season. Move the plant to a cool, dark place until next year.

When Amaryllis Blooms

• Amaryllis will only bloom once during its growing season. This will occur when the plant is approximately eight to nine weeks old, though it may happen as early as seven weeks or as late as 10 weeks. The blooms are quite hardy, and should stick around until the end of the Amaryllis season. This means that your plant will show flowers for approximately six months.

No Definite Answer

• The simple answer to the question is that nobody really knows how tall an Amaryllis will be when it blooms. There are many factors in the selection, planting and care of Amaryllis bulbs that could affect the speed at which it grows. Even with everything being equal, these plants can naturally vary from about 4 inches to nearly 2 feet in height. Two healthy plants that bloom at the exact same time may differ in height by several inches. However, by giving your Amaryllis the best care that you can, you may rest assured that your plant has reached the maximum height possible before blooming.