A festive favourite, Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) has breathtaking flowers to enjoy through the winter months. Surprisingly easy to grow, the bulb can also be reused for many years. Read our guide to get the most from your Amaryllis and enjoy it year after year.

Amaryllis bulbs will grow happily for many years if you use the right container and compost. They prefer to be pot-bound and moist but not waterlogged. Choose a container that is approximately 2cm bigger than the bulb and with large drainage holes. 

To ensure good drainage add horticultural grit or sand to a nutrient rich compost. Any of our Premium Quality Amaryllis Bulb Planting Sets already include the perfect compost mix.

When planting your bulb, position two thirds of the bulb above the surface of the compost and place it in a well-lit area, with a temperature around 21°C. Water it sparingly, but don’t let the compost dry out. Continue doing this until the shoots come through.

Choosing the right location for your Amaryllis will ensure you get fabulous festive flowers. Now the shoots have come through, find a spot with filtered bright light and a slightly cooler temperature, something around 15-18°C. This will extend the flowering period and prevent it growing too quickly, which causes the stem to droop. Remember to turn your plant regularly so it grows a straight stem.

Once the foliage starts to develop water it more regularly without it becoming waterlogged. Flowers should start to appear within a few weeks.

As the blooms fade, snip back the flowering stem, not the foliage. Once the risk of frost has passed, you can move it outside to a position that avoids the scorching sunshine. Continue to water it regularly and leave the foliage on until it starts to yellow.

In late September stop watering your Amaryllis and cut back the yellowed leaves. Move it to a cool area, such as a garage or greenhouse. Sunlight is not necessary at this stage, and it should be kept in its container. Leave your Amaryllis dormant for approximately 8-10 weeks.

To start the growing phase again, bring your bulb inside and if required, top up the soil level. Ensure two thirds of the bulb remains above the surface and resume watering.