How to Know When Amaryllis Bulbs Will Flower

If you recently purchased amaryllis bulbs and are wondering when they will bloom, read on! Watching and waiting is all part of the fun, but this post will give you a good idea of what to expect.

There are at least three variables that influence amaryllis bloom time. It’s a combination of where the bulb was produced, when you plant it and which variety you are growing.

Three bulbs of the same variety. All were planted at the same time, but are growing at slightly different rates.

The Importance of Bulb Origin

Most of the amaryllis sold in the U.S. are produced in Holland. Growers harvest the bulbs in late summer, cure them for several weeks and then ship them to the U.S. They’re usually available for sale from mid-October through January and their natural bloom time is January-March.

Amaryllis bulbs are also produced in Brazil, Peru, South Africa and Israel. The bulbs from these countries are harvested several months earlier and typically bloom sooner. If you get these bulbs planted by late October, they will usually flower in December.

Two of the bulbs produced foliage before there was any sign of a bud.

When to Plant Amaryllis

If you purchase bulbs that have already starting to sprout, plant them right away (get planting tips HERE). If the bulbs are still dormant (no sign of sprouting), they can be planted immediately, or you can store them for several months in a cool, dry, dark place. The sooner a dormant bulb is planted and exposed to moisture and light, the sooner it will break dormancy and start growing.

If you buy a number of amaryllis bulbs, you don’t need to plant them all at once. Store some of the dormant bulbs in a cool, dry, dark place and plant them few weeks apart to stagger the bloom time. Plan on 6 to 10 weeks from planting to the first flowers. As the winter progresses, the wait time gets shorter because the bulbs will be getting more and more eager to bloom.

Each Variety Behaves Differently

Every amaryllis variety has a slightly different natural dormancy period. Early bloomers with a relatively short dormancy period include amaryllis Minerva, Rosy Star, Sweet Nymph and Evergreen. The varieties Appleblossom, Splash, Double King, Cherry Nymph, Exotica and White Nymph are considered midseason bloomers. Late bloomers include Red Pearl, Red Lion, Spartacus, Amorice, Christmas Gift, Nymph and Lagoon.

Anticipation and surprise are all part of the fun of growing an amaryllis. At my house, watching them go from bulb to bloom is a midwinter tradition I always look forward to. With these tips in mind, and an assortment of different varieties in hand, your home will be filled with fresh flowers all winter long.