The amaryllis talked about on this page are actually hippeastrum bulbous plants. Amaryllis is the common name for these plants, however, it is also the genus for another type of bulb from the same family (Amaryllidaceae) native to South Africa.

The main characteristics when looking for the differences between these is the Amaryllis (from the genus) has no leaves during flowering time, solid stems, and produces 6 -12 flowers, while the hippeastrum (amaryllis used for the common name) produces leaves after flowering, has hollow stems and blooms 3 – 6 flowers.

Species and hybrids: There are close to 100 hippeastrum species and who knows how many hybrids are available now. Most that are sold are likely to be a hybrids which are usually bought during fall, ready for blooming during the winter months.

Foliage: The hippeastrum produces one or two stalks that grow up to 30 in tall and fairly wide light green leaves. The strap like leaves which grow up to 18 inches long usually arrive during or just after flowering. Once the flowers and stalk begin to die and they're cut away it can look quite unattractive.

Flowering: The flowers usually bloom during winter or spring (after 6 -10 weeks of the bulb being planted) and display clusters of trumpet looking flowers in various colors (red, orange, pink, and striped or shaded). These decorative flowers need to be cut away with the stalk once they begin to fade.

Care after the flowering period

After the flowering period the stalks will start sagging which need to be cut away with the flowers (as close to the bulb as possible) and just keep the leaves. For the next six weeks a grower needs to fertilize and water the hippeastrum frequently (as normal) to encourage growth for the next growing season.

You may need to support the leaves when they have grown large by tying them to a bamboo stick, otherwise they just hang over the pot - looking very unattractive.

When the leaves begin to turn yellow at the beginning of fall it's now time to prune them back so they're only 2 inches long. If the plant has grown outside a grower would remove the bulb from it's soil to prevent frost killing it and store the bulb in a cool room.

From September place the plant pot in a cool spot (approximately 55°f - 13°c), reduce watering and stop fertilizing the soil for 8 to 10 weeks. After this 8 - 10 week period - begin watering once the soil becomes dry to the touch and fertilize once every two weeks. You can now expect new growth and flowers during winter.

Note: Many buyers of this plant just throw the plant away after flowering. However, for those willing to offer some care and attention they can see them bloom for future seasons.

Facts

Origin: South America. Names: Amaryllis (common). Hippeastrum (botanical/scientific). Max Growth (approx): Height 30 in/75 cm. Poisionous for pets: Toxic to cats and dogs.

Pictures of Various Flower Colors

Amaryllis Care

Temperature: The amaryllis within the growing period (winter - spring) prefers temperatures of 70 - 75F°f (21 - 24°c) and from September - November (or early December) 55°f (13°c). After the plant as flowered the temperature can be kept at around 70 - 75F°f (21 - 24°c) which will keep the flower healthier longer. Light: Bright light without too much direct sunlight is preferable. Watering: During the growing and flowering period, water when the top inch of the soil becomes dry. Once the leaves are cut away you can stop watering for about 8 – 10 weeks (dormant period) or water sparingly until new growth appears. When new leaves appear water frequently again when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Overwatering may cause the bulb to rot. Soil: You can use equal part perlite and peat or two parts loam soil and one part perlite. Your local garden store will offer other suitable options as well. Re-Potting: Your hippeastrum can be re-potted if the bulb seems to have outgrown the pot or every 2 years just before the dormant growing period (Nov - Dec). The pot size needs to be approximatively 2 inches wider each side of the bulb. Fertilizer: After the dormant period (Nov -Dec) begin feeding with a liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks once you begin to see leaf shoots appearing. Continue until the leaves are cut down ready for the dormant period (Sept - Nov). Humidity: Normal room humidity is fine. Propagation: These can be propagated by seed (takes up to 5 years to mature and flower) or bulb offsets. Propagating with offsets takes about half the time to produce a mature plant that flowers compared to planting seeds (about 3 years).