Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is one of the easiest flowering bulbs to grow — and in Texas, you can enjoy it two ways:

• Forced indoors in fall for dazzling holiday blooms around Christmas.

• Planted outdoors in fall or winter for spring blooms, often right around Easter.

Whether you want showy red blooms on your holiday table or a burst of color in your garden beds, growing amaryllis in Texas is easy to do successfully. Here’s how!

Growing Amaryllis: Forcing Indoors for Holiday Blooms

When to Start

Growing amaryllis indoors begins in October or early November in order to have flowers by December.

How to Plant

• Choose a large, healthy bulb. Look for firm bulbs with no soft spots.
• Select a pot about 6–8 inches wide with drainage holes. (You can also force amaryllis indoors without using soil. Learn more here.)
• Use fresh potting mix. Plant the bulb so the top third sticks out above the soil.
• Water once after planting to settle the soil. Then, don’t water again until you see new growth.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Place in a warm, bright spot (65–75°F) with indirect sunlight.

• Watering: Once growth begins, water sparingly but regularly — keep soil just barely moist, not soggy.

• Fertilizer: Use a liquid houseplant fertilizer every 2–3 weeks once the flower stalk appears.

• Support: Tall stems may need a stake for support.

Bloom Time

• Flowers typically appear 6–8 weeks after planting.

• For continuous blooms, stagger planting multiple bulbs every 2 weeks.

After Bloom Care

• When flowers fade, cut the bloom stalk but leave the leaves.

• Continue to water and feed until late spring.

• In late spring, you can move the pot outdoors into partial sun.

• Allow the bulb to grow and store energy all summer, then let it go dormant in fall (stop watering and keep in a cool, dark spot for about 8–10 weeks) before restarting the cycle.

Growing Amaryllis: Planting Outdoors for Spring Blooms

When to Plant

Growing amaryllis outdoors, begins by planting bulbs in late fall to early winter (November–January) in most parts of Texas.
Outdoor amaryllis typically blooms March–April, right around Easter.

Site & Soil Prep

• Sunlight: Choose a bright spot with morning sun and afternoon shade.

• Soil: Well-drained soil is key. Add compost or expanded shale for better drainage if you have heavy clay soil.

• Spacing: Plant bulbs 12 inches apart.

How to Plant

• Plant bulbs with the neck slightly above ground level.

• Water thoroughly after planting.

• Mulch lightly to protect from cold snaps and help retain moisture.

Care Through the Seasons

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during active growth, but avoid soggy conditions.

• Fertilizer: Feed monthly with a balanced bulb fertilizer or liquid bloom booster (like 10-30-20) during the growing season.

• Cold Protection: In unusually cold winters (below 25°F), cover with frost cloth or mulch heavily.

• Summer Dormancy: After blooming, allow leaves to die back naturally. They’re storing nutrients for next year’s flowers! You can leave bulbs in the ground year-round.

Long-Term Tips

• Amaryllis bulbs can live and bloom for many years in Texas gardens.

• Divide and replant bulbs every few years when clumps become crowded.

• For best blooms, avoid overwatering and keep foliage healthy through summer.

In our mild Texas climate, amaryllis is a reliable perennial — plant once and enjoy blooms year after year. Whether it’s brightening your windowsill in December or your garden in April, this hardy bulb brings joy in every season.

You can check out more info about growing amaryllis when you watch the following YouTube videos for forcing amaryllis soil free, and a DIY for making wax dipped amaryllis bulbs for gifts.

~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy