11 Amaryllis Facts On Belladonna Lily That Are Worth To Know

Martha Martins
Oct 04, 2023 By Martha Martins
Originally Published on Dec 07, 2021
The beautiful Amaryllis flower! Read on to learn Amaryllis facts.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 6.9 Min

The bright red Amaryllis flowers are hugely popular for their spectacular beauty and ability to catch the attention of passers-by.

Amaryllis means to sparkle, it is originally a name from Greek mythology. True to its name Amaryllis is the perfect flower for the festive season and is regarded as the favorite holiday bloom.

Amaryllis blooms from spring to summer in their natural habitat, but the ones we see today have been modified to bloom earlier in time for the holiday season. Amaryllis can be found in tropical parts of South America, the Caribbean, Argentina, and Mexico.

There are over 600 named varieties of the bloom. Amaryllis is also known as the naked lady because its flowering stalks are leafless and produce blooms before they develop leaves.

Amaryllis varieties such as 'red velvet' and 'red lion,' with their brilliant red tints, have helped to establish it as Britain's favorite holiday plant. Amaryllis flowers also come in various other flower colors like pink, purple, yellow, and white.

According to Greek mythology, the flowers originated from the nymph Amaryllis' blood. The flower is a symbolism of beauty and love in ancient times.

The narrative of Amaryllis, a love-struck girl who yearned for the attractive but cold-hearted Alteo, is told in Greek mythology. She wounded her heart with a golden arrow, desperate to earn his affection. The drops of blood from the wound transformed into scarlet flowers, becoming what we know today as Amaryllis.

Here's bringing to you unknown facts about Amaryllis flowers. If you are intrigued to read more such fun facts, why not check out cauliflower fun factsandbanana facts

How To Plant Amaryllis And Take Care Of It

Here are some tips to grow Amaryllis plants and take care of them so that they look their best.

Amaryllis flowers are beautiful blooms and are a stunning addition to your home or garden. Between November and April, the Amaryllis plant is available for purchase and enjoyment. While the Amaryllis can be grown from seeds too, it takes way too long for the plant to produce flowers.

Lightweight pots may tip over under the pressure of the Amaryllis flowers, thus heavy pots are preferred.

Plant the Amaryllis bulbs in potting soil, point end up. Carefully pack the earth around the bulbs, letting about one-third of the bulb stay above the soil line. Put the pot somewhere that gets plenty of bright, indirect light.

Water sparingly until around two in of new growth appears. Water on a regular basis after that.

Turn the pot occasionally as the plant grows to assist the flower stalks to grow straight. The tops of each stalk will sprout flower buds, followed by a spectacular floral display. Keep the pot out of direct sunlight to prolong the blooming.

Indoor plants add some warmth and brightness to the cold season. Amaryllis bulbs can be easily grown indoors.

The first step is to select the appropriate bulb for your residence. Apart from the Netherlands, the majority of the bulbs you buy are still made in South Africa. There are many various types of Amaryllis, each with its own color, scent, and flower type.

Choose the largest bulbs you can locate if you want exceptionally enormous flowers—the size of the bulb determines the size of the blooms produced by Amaryllis. Because the blooms do not all open at the same time, you will have a long flowering period.

Simply plant every two weeks beginning in October or later if you want a lot of Amaryllis blooming throughout the winter. This will provide a steady flash of color in your home till springtime arrives.

Here's how to keep it looking great for as long as you can:

Place your Amaryllis plant in a bright spot- but not direct sunlight, these blooms prefer shadow or partial light.

Choose a location away from drafts because no flower enjoys a cool breeze, keep your Amaryllis plants away from doors and windows.

Provide water to your plant every two weeks. When the flowers are flowers are blooming, keep your Amaryllis topped up with water every two weeks to keep it looking healthy.

Amaryllis waxed bulbs don't need much water to grow, so make sure you're not drowning the soil. A single bulb required 8 oz (0.23 l) of water, two to three Amaryllis bulbs would require somewhere from 10-12 oz (0.29-0.35 l) of water.

If you're taking cuttings from an Amaryllis plant to spread some holiday cheer, use a sharp knife and be careful not to squash the stems because they're hollow. If you're utilizing Amaryllis cuttings, choose a robust container. Amaryllis flowers are large and need all the support they can get when cut and displayed in a vase.

What to do with Amaryllis after it blooms?

Whether you got your Amaryllis plant as a gift or ordered one for yourself, chances are you'll get potted Amaryllis rather than a bulb and enjoy it during the blooming season.

Amaryllis is grown for ornamental purposes and is used to make a variety of floral arrangements. Amaryllis has a tall, hollow stem that can grow to be 18-36 in (46-91.4 cm) tall. The stem is green with a purple hue.

The underground bulb of Amaryllis can be 1-4 in (2.5-10.1 cm) wide. Three to seven leaves and two flowering stalks are produced from it. Amaryllis features two rows of green, strap-shaped leaves.

Here are some ideas for keeping your Amaryllis plants in good shape so they will bloom again next Christmas.

Each Amaryllis flower can last two to three weeks, but with good care, the plants can endure for many years and bloom consistently.

After the blooms have faded, cut the flower stalk to the top of the bulb or just above the bulb's nose.

Water on a regular basis, but not excessively. When the roots of Amaryllis bulbs are consistently damp, they are prone to rotting. Create a watering schedule based on how quickly the soil dries out.

Every 7-14 days, give it a blooming fertilizer. Place it in a location where it will receive plenty of indirect sunlight.

Facts about Amaryllis, the beautiful scarlet flowers, are perfect for Christmas!

How do I get my Amaryllis to bloom again?

The next year, the Amaryllis rebloom. It requires a little forethought and additional attention, but it's an easy and satisfying process.

Move the bulbs to a warm, bright area and begin watering again around six to eight weeks before you want to see magnificent blooms again. You should notice some new growth in a couple of weeks. Add a stake to the flower stalks once they appear to keep them from tumbling over.

Cut the flower stalk to within 1 in (2.5 cm) of the top of the bulb once the flowers fade. Continue to water and feed the plant with a liquid houseplant fertilizer on a regular basis.

During the spring and summer, Amaryllis will produce a large number of leaves. This will aid the plant in producing energy for next year's bloom. During mid-August, start withholding water and allow the foliage to die down on its own when the pot dries up entirely.

Store the dormant bulb for at least eight weeks in a cool, dark place. Repot them in fresh potting soil and place it in bright, indirect light about six to eight weeks before you want the beautiful flower to bloom again

Watering should be resumed, but only sparingly at first. Increase watering after new growth appears, and look forward to the impending flower show. You can encourage your Amaryllis to flower year after year by following these basic care tips.

How many years will an Amaryllis bulb blossom?

You can keep these bulbs growing year after year with careful care. You may keep your giant Amaryllis alive and rebloom it once it has finished blooming.

An Amaryllis bulb will grow and produce new plants for decades if properly cared for. According to one gardener, his plant has bloomed every year for the past 75 years!

It blooms once a year on average. There may be multiple flower stalks that bloom at the same time, resulting in a show that lasts for weeks.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 11 Amaryllis facts, then why not take a look at famous composite volcanoes, or all about Ohio facts!

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Written by Martha Martins

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha Martins picture

Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.

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