Why Your Amaryllis Didn’t Bloom for the Holidays

Don’t give up on that amaryllis bulb that has not yet flowered. Be patient and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blossoms to brighten your winter days.

Most amaryllis bulbs that are sold in North America are imported from Holland, and their natural bloom time is January through March. It is impossible to predict exactly when the flowers will appear. Increase your enjoyment by choosing several different varieties and plant them 3 to 4 weeks apart during November, December and January. This way, you’ll always have flowers coming into bloom.

Next time, purchase bulbs labeled as “Blooms for Christmas” if you want flowers for the holidays. These are imported from growers in Peru where they are experiencing springtime as we enter autumn. These bulbs are eager to start blooming, so pot them up before early November and you’ll have flowers in December.

A bit more information:  Use a mix of Southern and Northern Hemisphere grown amaryllis bulbs for flowers from December through March. See Longfield Gardens’ When Will Your Amaryllis Bloom article for help selecting a variety of cultivars to make this happen.