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The Uniqueness of Amaryllis for the Christmas Season

Amaryllis are ringing the Christmas bells and has been revealed as one of the favorite flowering plants to have around! Here's everything to know about it.

By: THURSD. | 14-12-2022 | 5 min read
Flowers Garden Plants Christmas Designs
Colorful Amaryllis header on Thursd

All you need for the Christmas holidays is the presence of colorful amaryllis flowering plants. Here is everything you need to know about the spectacular flowering plant that'll invade the homes of many for the holidays.

All There Is to Know About Amaryllis

The aesthetics of winter can make you long for the summer months with its mounds of soiled snow and barren trees. However, you can have a tiny piece of spring sprouting on your windowsill if you plant an amaryllis bulb or put some of the tall cut hippeastrum in your longest vase!

 

Red Amaryllis flowering plant on Thursd
Photo: Liliya Kontanistova



The floral plant amaryllis (botanical: hippeastrum) emerges from a bulb. Each bulb develops one to three stems, each bearing four to eight star-shaped funnel blooms that can be white, red, or pink. Later, the flower stems will be joined by long, broad green leaves. Amaryllis typically bloom in January, so planting amaryllises is a great way to spruce up your home during the chilly months and begin the year with a cheerful heart. Plus, if you follow the following care steps, you will be able to recycle the same plant year after year and enjoy its blooms every winter.

Origins of the Amaryllis Plant

Despite the fact that the bulbs can bloom at other times of the year, many people grow amaryllis to produce houseplants that bloom in the winter. Typically, amaryllis flowers are hybrids of different kinds of tropical plants from Central and South America's Hippeastrum genus. A true Amaryllis genus exists as well, although it only has two species that are indigenous to South Africa. However, these are not the amaryllis plants that are typically grown in the United States.

 

Amaryllis origin and history on Thursd
Photo: Flower Meanings

 

How to Care for Amaryllis During the Winter

The way you care for amaryllis can vary, depending on whether you're growing it indoors or outdoors and when you want it to bloom. After your amaryllis has bloomed, cut back the flower stalk but allow the foliage to continue growing. Water your amaryllis whenever the top 2 inches of soil become dry. And feed it with a half-strength water-soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks.

 

How to care for Amaryllis during winter on Thursd
Photo: White Flower Farm

 

Important: stop feeding in August, and bring your plant back indoors. Its foliage will be depreciating, but the plant still should never be exposed to frost. You can cut back any fully depreciated amaryllis leaves.

Caring for Your Amaryllis Plant After It Blooms

There are a few things you should do once your plant blooms to take care of it and keep it blooming year after year.

 

Amaryllis plant care after it blooms on Thursd
Photo: Dennis' 7 Dees

 

Outdoor Amaryllis Care Is Also Important to Know

If you're more of an outdoor plant lover, this is for you. Amaryllis's care outdoors is possible in warmer zones. The bulbs can be grown in healthy, well-drained soil by planting them anytime the soil reaches 20 degrees Celsius or higher. Being a tropical plant, amaryllis prefers warm climates. Although it will thrive in situations ranging from full sun to partial shade, bright shade is the ideal setting for it outside.

 

Outdoor garden Amaryllis flowering plants on Thursd
Photo: Gardening Express

 

The History of the Gorgeous Hippeastrum

Many festive varieties of amaryllis are available, some with stories that can be associated with Christmas themes. Greek lore tells of a shy maiden named Amaryllis who fell in love with Alteo, a shepherd endowed with the strength of Hercules and the beauty of Apollo himself. Her affections unrequited, Amaryllis sought to consult with the oracle of Delphi.

In following the oracle’s advice, Amaryllis would dress in maiden’s white and wait outside Alteo’s door for thirty nights, piercing her lovelorn heart with a golden arrow each night. Alteo fell in love with the maiden when he discovered her, surrounded by beautiful amaryllis flowers, on his doorstep.

 

History of the Amaryllis plant on Thursd
Photo: Unsplash

 

Significance of the Amaryllis Plant During Christmas

There’s a reason flowers make such cherished and valued gifts. Their distinct meanings, flower symbology, history, the intriguing, often fantastical lore associated with them, in addition to their obvious visual appeal- there are, in fact, plenty of reasons flowers have always been deemed singular, and special. Amaryllis, one of the world's modern favorites in flowering plants has one of the most fascinating symbolism associated with it.

 

Amaryllis plant symbolism on Thursd
Photo: Neil Harvey

 

In Victorian times, amaryllis came to symbolize strength and determination, due to its tall height and sturdiness. Amaryllis plants are also the living symbol of love, determination, and ethereal beauty, and an ideal gift for those you love and care for. So the next time you're looking for gifts to show your love, consider giving some amaryllis flower gifts to show your real love.

A Very Popular Christmas Flowering Plant

Over the last several years, amaryllis has become increasingly popular Christmas plants, due to their willingness to bloom indoors in winter and their bright, colorful flowers. Today, they’re a fashionable alternative to poinsettias or even Christmas cacti! In many households, Amaryllis is a new holiday staple. What color are you choosing this year to make your house look more festive and full of life?

 

Amaryllis popular Christmas flowering plant on Thursd
Photo: Plantcetera

 

One thing's for sure, amaryllis is here to stay not only for X-Mas but throughout fall, winter and spring keeping you the most colorful company of all!

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