- Working Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Skill Level: Kid-friendly
We're used to seeing amaryllis around the holidays when these huge bulbs show up in stores everywhere. They're a popular gift because they're easy to grow and they produce beautiful flowers during the winter months. While these bulbs can grow without any water or soil if they're waxed, planting them in a pot is one way to get them to flower year after year. While a single bulb can produce several huge flowers, you can maximize the show by planting three bulbs of the same variety ($10, Amazon) in one pot or mix and match a few different varieties.
Editor's Tip: Keep amaryllis flowers out of direct sun and in temperatures between 55° and 70° F to help them last longer.
What You'll Need
Materials
- Potting mix
- Tub, to mix potting soil
- Container with drainage hole, 6-inch for one bulb, 10- to 12-inch for groups of three bulbs
- Small piece of mesh screen
- Amaryllis bulb(s)
Instructions
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Prep the Pot and Soil
Cover the drainage hole with a square of mesh screen to keep soil from escaping. Place potting mix in a tub and sprinkle with lukewarm water. Stir the soil and water together until the mixture is moist but not soggy.
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Add Soil to Container
Fill the container halfway with damp potting mix ($11, Home Depot). Don't pack down the soil as you go. Only filling halfway makes it easier to place the bulb at the right height.
Related: How to Grow Bulbs in Containers for a Gorgeous Spring Display
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Place Bulb
Nestle the bulb into the center of the container ($18, Amazon). If you're planting more than one amaryllis in the same container, place bulbs shoulder to shoulder. The bulbs should feel firm and have plenty of roots at the bases.
Related: 5 Fascinating Facts About Amaryllis
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Fill In Around the Bulb
Add more potting mix but leave the top third of the bulb uncovered. Tamp down the soil around the bulb with your hands to settle the potting mix. Water well, being careful not to wet the exposed top of the bulb. Add a label so you'll remember the variety name.