Plant Amaryllis for Christmas

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) typically takes 6–8 weeks from potting to full bloom, depending on warmth and light. You can bring them forward or push them back depending on whether you are having Christmas Even drinks or a full NYE bash, but this will give you the best chance of getting the timings right. (Tips for tweaking below.)

Pot on 25 October → flowers around 20 December

Pot on 1 November → flowers between Christmas and New Year

Pot on 10 November → flowers in early January (lovely for Twelfth Night)

Planting

Soak the roots (not the whole bulb) in lukewarm water for an hour before planting. Pot up snugly. The top third of the bulb should sit proud of the compost. Use a heavy pot. Those stems are statuesque and can topple if underdressed.

Place somewhere warm (about 20°C) and bright to kickstart growth. Once the flower stem emerges, move to a cooler, lighter spot (around 15°C) to prolong the show.

Tips for perfect timing

Warmer room = faster bloom. Cooler = slower. So you can nudge the timing either way by moving it between rooms.

‘Minerva’, ‘Red Lion’, and ‘Apple Blossom’ are classic varieties for Christmas timing.

Double-flowered forms (like ‘Nymph’ or ‘Dancing Queen’) can take a few days longer.