How to Grow an Amaryllis Indoors for Thanksgiving

With proper planning and by following simple potting techniques, your Thanksgiving holiday home can be filled with rich, unparalleled color that only the amaryllis flower can offer. All that is required is purchasing and planting the amaryllis bulb within the scheduled time for holiday flowering and following these simple steps. No experience necessary.

Things You'll Need

• 1 amaryllis bulb of the desired color
• 1 (5-pound) bag of compost enriched potting soil
• 1 (8-inch diameter) flower pot, with drainage holes
• 1 cup of pea gravel

Instructions

1. Complete the planting activity 8 weeks prior to Thanksgiving week to ensure amaryllis blooms during Thanksgiving week.

2. Remove the bulb from the box and place it in a bowl containing 2 inches of lukewarm water. Allow the bulb to soak in warm water for 2 to 3 hours.

3. Pour 1 cup of pea gravel (or equivalent sized stones) into the bottom of the 8-inch flower pot and level the surface.

4. Fill the flower pot to half its height with compost enriched potting soil.

5. Using your fingers, scoop out small 2-inch deep hole in the center of the pot and place the bulb root ball in this hole, being careful to not bruise or damage any roots.

6. Ensure that the bulb is sitting vertically upright before adding enough potting soil up to the neck of the bulb (the bulb is covered with soil while the stem protruding from the bulb is not).

7. Use your fingers to firmly compact the potting soil around the bulb. Do not leave air pockets.

8. Place the potted bulb in a warm room that offers direct sunlight. Both warmth and sun are required for the bulb to produce flowers.

9. Water lightly after potting. Water sparingly until green stems break the surface of the soil. Once buds appear, increase watering to keep the soil slightly damp.

10. Flowers will appear during Thanksgiving week.

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Tips & Warnings

• If a bulb is purchased far in advance of required planting week, store it at 40 degrees in the refrigerator crisper.

• Do not overwater the bulb.

• Never store bulbs in a refrigerator that contains apples as these will sterilize the bulb.