#ProPlantTips, Gardening Questions, Landscape and Garden Design

How to Grow Your Garden in the Winter With Amaryllis

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

It’s the same thing every year-- Our gardens, landscapes, and even ourselves perk up with joy come spring. Summer passes through to bring us feelings of warmth along with a vibrant outdoors. Fall brings the oo’s and ahh’s of colorful collages of reds, yellows and browns.

But with winter, our gardens get droopy and cold. We are saddened by the sight of our dormant landscape. The cliche green indoor plants are yesterday’s trend and we want something that will make us feel like spring, summer and fall all at the same time.

What if we told you that you can have a sparkling display for the winter season with just a single plant? Let us introduce the potted Amaryllis that can make your winter home go from drab to fab!

What’s The Wondrous Amaryllis Flower?

And so the old Greek mythology story of Amaryllis goes: An inevitably love-struck maiden longed to love Alteo, a handsome but cold-hearted man. So desperate to win him over, the maiden pierced her heart with a golden arrow and proceeded to visit Alteo’s cottage daily. Doing so, she left a trail of drops of blood along the way.

Beautiful scarlet red flowers immersed along the daily-walked path and so Alteo was enamored that his now love’s heart was healed. And so, our favorite winter holiday flower got its name: Amaryllis.

Herald the holidays for the flower lovers, plant lovers and those who just appreciate the small beautiful things as our Amaryllis gifts are for you. Bonus, it’s one of the prettiest and easiest flowers you’ll ever grow.

With huge, trumpet-shaped blossoms this winter blooming bulb is sure to bring joy to a home. Grow an award winning amaryllis on top of a sturdy deep green stalk with our Amaryllis Red Lion Economy Gift Kit. It’s one of the most vivid flowers you’ll find.

The Amaryllis flower will produce 4 to 6 massive clusters of blooms for all to gaze at. You’ll have weeks to express the ooh’s and aah’s it deserves! Imagine gifting a ready to be planted beautiful red amaryllis in a white ceramic pot to your next door neighbors for the holidays.

How To Plant Your Festive Amaryllis

Growing Amaryllis is not a tricky trait that takes practice. You just have to follow our easy planting steps and continue to provide proper care!

Gather the needed materials.

Lucky for you, all of our winter amaryllis bulbs come with their very own pot. So, never have to worry about running to the store to find the perfect fit. Better yet, they come with the potting soil too!

And, you can be EXTRA merry with our Amaryllis flower in a red snowflake pot or in a white snowflake pot!

Measure and add soil.

Now that you have all the materials, it's time to measure and add the soil into your pot! When adding the potting mix, you want to make sure the rooted end is on the button and the top of the bulb sits slightly above the soil as seen in this picture above.

Add in enough soil around the bulb so that the pot is filled up to the point where the flower stalk can still see the sunlight.

Water and sunlight time!

For strong Amaryllis blooms, pick a spot to place your flower where it will receive full sun. On your dining room table near a sunny window will do the trick. Or place it on a living room end table where it can soak up the sunlight too.

As your bulb starts to sprout, we suggest watering sparingly when it feels dry. As it continues to grow, increase the amount of water you supply it with in order to keep the soil moist.

Of course, you can skip the process of planting with our Amaryllis in red, gold or silver wax gloss! These bulbs don't deal with fuss of pots or soil and are the perfect holiday flower, winter bloomer and decoration piece all rolled up in one.

And since they already come planted in holiday decorated pots, you can use them for gifts too!

This winter, grow or give something that can be looked forward to instead of waiting around for the spring feelings to begin. With our potted Amaryllis bulbs, holiday cheer awaits you and your loved one!

Happy gardening!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I grow amaryllis bulbs indoors during winter?

Growing amaryllis indoors during winter is straightforward and rewarding. Plant your bulb in a pot with well-draining potting soil, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed above the soil line, and place it in a bright, warm location indoors. Water sparingly at first, then more regularly once growth begins, and you can expect 4 to 6 massive trumpet-shaped blooms to appear within 6 to 8 weeks of planting. For best results, choose a quality kit that includes the bulb, pot, and potting soil so you have everything you need to get started right away.

How do I store and winterize amaryllis bulbs so they rebloom next season?

After your amaryllis finishes blooming, cut the flower stalk down to about 2 inches above the bulb but leave the foliage intact so the plant can continue storing energy. Move the pot to a bright, warm spot and water regularly through spring and summer, then in late summer bring the bulb indoors and stop watering entirely to force a 8 to 10 week dormancy period in a cool, dark location around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Once dormancy is complete, repot the bulb in fresh soil with the top third of the bulb above the soil line, place it in a sunny window, and resume watering to trigger a new bloom cycle just in time for the holidays.

How much sunlight does amaryllis need to bloom successfully indoors?

Amaryllis thrives in bright, indirect light indoors and needs at least six hours of sunlight per day to bloom successfully. Place your pot near a south- or west-facing window where it receives plenty of natural light without being exposed to harsh direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Once buds begin to form, rotating the pot every few days ensures even growth and prevents the stalk from leaning toward the light source.

How do I time planting amaryllis bulbs indoors so they bloom by Christmas or the holidays?

Amaryllis bulbs typically take 6 to 8 weeks from planting to bloom, so for Christmas flowers you should pot your bulbs in late October or early November. Plant the bulb in well-draining potting mix with the top one-third of the bulb above the soil surface, then place it in a warm spot with temperatures around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit to encourage rooting and stem growth. Keep the soil lightly moist until you see active growth, then water more regularly. For a staggered holiday display, plant multiple bulbs two weeks apart starting in mid-October.

When is the best time to plant amaryllis bulbs for winter flowers?

For winter blooms, plant amaryllis bulbs in late October through November so they have time to establish and flower during the holiday season. Unlike many bulbs that require outdoor chilling, amaryllis thrives as a potted indoor plant and can be started any time you want blooms roughly 6 to 10 weeks later. Choose a pot only 1 to 2 inches wider than the bulb, leave the top third of the bulb exposed above the soil line, and place it in a warm, bright location to encourage strong stem growth.

How deep should I plant an amaryllis bulb and how much of it should sit above the soil?

When planting an amaryllis bulb, choose a pot only slightly larger than the bulb itself and plant it so that roughly one-third to one-half of the bulb remains above the soil line. This exposure is important because burying the bulb too deeply can cause rot and prevent proper blooming. Use a well-draining potting mix, firm the soil gently around the base to keep the bulb stable, and water thoroughly after planting to help it settle in and begin its growth cycle.

What type of pot, potting mix, and drainage setup do amaryllis bulbs need indoors?

Amaryllis bulbs thrive in a snug pot just one to two inches wider than the bulb itself, which encourages blooming by keeping the roots slightly crowded. Use a well-draining potting mix, such as a standard indoor potting soil amended with perlite, and ensure your container has drainage holes to prevent the bulb from sitting in standing water, which causes rot. Nature Hills Amaryllis kits conveniently include both a ceramic pot and potting soil, so you can get started right away without a trip to the store. Plant your bulb with the top one-third above the soil line, water thoroughly after planting, and then hold off on watering again until you see the first signs of growth.

How often should I water amaryllis in winter to encourage blooming without causing bulb rot?

Water your amaryllis sparingly at first, giving just enough to moisten the soil after initial planting, then increase to a regular schedule once you see active growth. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely between waterings, as amaryllis bulbs are highly susceptible to rot in consistently wet conditions. A good rule of thumb is to water thoroughly once a week during the blooming period, ensuring your pot has proper drainage so the bulb never sits in standing water.

What indoor light conditions help amaryllis grow and bloom their best in winter?

Amaryllis thrives in bright, indirect light and should be placed in your sunniest south- or west-facing window during the winter months. Aim for at least six hours of bright light per day to encourage strong, upright stem growth and vibrant blooms. Avoid placing bulbs directly against cold windowpanes, as temperature fluctuations can stress the plant. Rotate the pot every few days to ensure even light exposure and prevent the stalk from leaning toward the light source.

What temperature range does amaryllis need indoors to bloom well during winter?

Amaryllis bulbs perform best indoors when temperatures are kept between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with a consistent warmth being key to encouraging strong stem growth and abundant blooms. Avoid placing your pot near cold drafts, exterior doors, or heating vents, as sudden temperature swings can stress the bulb and reduce flowering. For the best results, find a bright, warm spot in your home and rotate the pot occasionally to encourage an upright, even stalk.