Hippeastrum Mixed Amaryllis Bulbs

Hippeastrum Mixed Amaryllis is a random potluck mixture consisting of a wide range of varieties, colors, and patterns, with possibly both single and double varieties as well as any and all colors included. Amaryllis are often potted up and given as gifts during the holiday season, but they also grow well in the garden. They are super easy to grow, and each bulb may produce more than one flower stalk, with each 18 to 30-inch stalk typically producing 2 to 6 amazingly beautiful blooms that can reach up to 8 inches across. The tropical-looking, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom over an extended time and are long-lasting.

These Hippeastrum spp. varieties, commonly called amaryllis, are tender perennials. In most of North America, they need to be planted in pots for indoor enjoyment or treated as an annual in the garden. However, in USDA Zones 8-10, amaryllis can be planted outdoors in spring, provided they are grown in a sunny to partially shady spot and protected from freezing temperatures. When planting outside, bury bulbs 1 to 2 inches deep and space them 4 to 6 inches apart, ensuring the neck of the bulb remains above the ground. Water the plant, fertilize after the leaves emerge, and repeat this process several times in the spring.

To grow Amaryllis indoors as a houseplant, select a 6- to 8-inch pot and fill it halfway with soil. Place the bulb on top of the soil and fill around it, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed above the potting soil line. Be sure to leave space in the pot for watering. Amaryllis bulbs prefer room temperatures and sunny locations. Rotate the pot regularly as the flower stalk grows to prevent it from leaning or toppling.

While some gardeners treat Amaryllis as annuals and discard them after flowering, they can be encouraged to bloom again with the right care. After flowering, cut the flower stalk just above the bulb's neck, but leave the foliage intact to help the bulb replenish its energy. Place the pot in a sunny window, watering only when the soils feels dry, and fertilize regularly. Once the danger of frost has passed, move the pot outdoors for the summer. In the fall, after frost has killed the leaves, remove the foliage and store the bulb in a cool, dry place for 2.5 months without watering. After the rest period, you can restart the growth process as described above.