When to Plant Amaryllis for Christmas
Dutch-grown amaryllis bloom 6 to 8 weeks after potting, so pot them Oct 30 to Nov 13 for Christmas 2026. South African-grown bulbs take 3 to 5 weeks: pot...
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The Short Answer
It depends on where the bulb was grown. Iowa State Extension says Dutch-grown amaryllis bloom 6 to 8 weeks after potting and South African-grown bulbs bloom in 3 to 5 weeks. For Christmas 2026:
- Dutch-grown: pot between Oct 30 and Nov 13.
- South African-grown: pot between Nov 20 and Dec 4.
Not sure which you have? Plan on Dutch timing. Iowa State's general advice is to pot in early to mid November for Christmas bloom. The Bulb Forcing Desk counts back from any date.
Potting Dates for 2026 and 2027
| Bloom by | Dutch-grown, pot between | South African-grown, pot between |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving, Nov 26 | Too late this year | Oct 22 and Nov 5 |
| Christmas, Dec 25 | Oct 30 and Nov 13 | Nov 20 and Dec 4 |
| New Year's Day, Jan 1 | Nov 6 and Nov 20 | Nov 27 and Dec 11 |
| Valentine's Day, Feb 14 | Dec 20 and Jan 3 | Jan 10 and Jan 24 |
Bloom times are ranges, so start at the early date if the day matters.
How to Pot Amaryllis
- Pick a large, firm bulb. The biggest bulbs often send up 2 or 3 flower stalks.
- Use a pot with a drain hole about 1 to 2 inches wider than the bulb.
- Put a little potting mix in the bottom, center the bulb, and fill around it, firming the mix around the roots.
- Leave the top half of the bulb above the mix and about an inch of space below the rim.
- Water thoroughly and set it in a warm, bright spot at 70 to 75F.
- Once it blooms, move it to a 65 to 70F spot out of direct sun. Cooler rooms make the flowers last longer.
Getting It to Bloom Again Next Year
Amaryllis can rebloom for years. Iowa State Extension says it needs at least 8 to 10 weeks at 50 to 55F to set new flowers.
- After bloom, cut the flower stalk off once the flowers fade and keep the plant growing in a sunny window.
- Option 1: in late September, move it to a cool, dim spot and stop watering. Cut off the leaves when they turn brown and keep the bulb at 50 to 55F for 8 to 10 weeks.
- Option 2: keep it green in a bright 50 to 55F spot through fall.
- Then move it back to a warm 70 to 75F, bright spot and start watering.
Reblooming a poinsettia or Christmas cactus too? The Holiday Rebloom Desk times those, plus old amaryllis bulbs.
Pets
The ASPCA lists amaryllis as toxic to dogs and cats. The bulb is the most toxic part. See pet-safe plants.
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension, All About Amaryllis
- University of Vermont Extension, Forcing Spring Bulbs
- UW-Madison Extension, Forcing Bulbs
- ASPCA, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
Next Steps
Add your bulbs to the Bulb Forcing Desk for calendar reminders. Pair them with paperwhites for Christmas, which take 4 to 6 weeks.