Types Of Amaryllis That You Can Grow

The amaryllis is a flowering bulb which produces showy flowers and comes in many different varieties. The most common types of amaryllis are the plain leaf, trumpets, Dutch flag, and Christmas bell. They can be found at nurseries or big box stores during winter months for planting now or to have them shipped later for potting up in late fall when they are available again.

The plain leaf amaryllis variety is a beautiful addition to any flowerbed or patio container during the winter months. They provide bright colors that can set off other flowers in a bed planting. The trumpets, Dutch flag and Christmas bells are more suited for patio containers because of their height. All varieties have similar care requirements so they are easy to grow if proper care is given.

Latin American Amaryllis

(Amaryllis belladonna) is the most common variety of amaryllis. They are native to tropical South America where they grow in U.S Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11 but can be grown successfully as house plants almost everywhere else. 

These flowers have a classic look with polished green leaves and six huge showy pink bell shaped flowers which bloom in the fall and winter. The bulbs should be planted directly in the ground as they need a long growing period to produce their gorgeous flowers. They are hardy in zones 10 through 11 but can also be grown indoors almost everywhere else.

Cape Amaryllis (Amaryllis capensis)

Cape Amaryllis is an extremely popular variety in the southern hemisphere native to South Africa and also grown in zones 10 through 11. They produce a single flower on tall thin stems that can reach over 5 feet high and bloom from fall until early winter. 

The flowers of Cape Amaryllis are dark pink with red stripes, unlike its cousins which range in color from off white to a deep pink color. They are hardy in zones 10 through 11 but can also be grown indoors as houseplants almost everywhere else.

Single bulb Amaryllis

Single bulb amaryllis are another popular variety. They have a long growing season where the bulb produces a stalk with one flower which grows to 10-12 inches tall and blooms from fall until early winter. The flowers last for about two weeks and are white or pink in color. These varieties of single bulb amaryllis do well in low light conditions and are also suitable for growing indoors.

Lilac Amaryllis

The Lilac Amaryllis is a beautiful variety with large waxy leaves that grow to be about 6 inches wide and 12-18 inches long and blossom in the winter months with 3 inch flowers which come in deep purple, blue, pale pink and white. They do best in zones 8-10 but can also be grown as a houseplant almost everywhere else.

South African amaryllis

The South African amaryllis is a native of the southern hemisphere that is hardy in zones 10 through 11 but can also be grown indoors as a houseplant almost everywhere else. It has gorgeous trumpet shaped flowers colored red, pink or white and blooms from fall until early winter. They do best with bright sunlight but will also do fairly well in partial shade.

Water lily amaryllis (hippeastrum)

The Amaryllis family also includes water lily amaryllis, hippeastrum. These are tropical plants which have large flowers in red, pink or white that last for about a month. They do best in zones 10 through 11 although they can also be grown indoors as houseplants in almost everywhere else.

The trumpet varieties of amaryllis were originally developed as a cross between two other bulbous plants, the Hippeastrum and the Crinum.

Albino Amaryllis

The Albino amaryllis is a beautiful variety with white leaves which are striped with purple. They grow 6-12 inches tall and bloom in fall to early winter with white trumpet shaped flowers which last for 2-4 weeks. The Albino amaryllis is a popular flowering bulb that loves bright sunlight but will also do well in partial shade conditions. They can also be grown as houseplants almost everywhere else.

Giant amaryllis

The Giant Amaryllis is the largest variety with leaves that can reach up to 24 inches wide and 20 inches tall and has big 6 inch flowers with fiery red, dark pink or crimson colored petals. They do best in zones 9A or colder but can also be grown as a houseplant almost everywhere else. These bulbs need to be planted in the ground as they have a long growing period before they bloom. 

They also need to have their leaves removed periodically so that more energy is channeled into flowering and bulb growth as this variety can grow up to 12 feet tall when mature!

Malaysian trumpet flower (paperflower)

The Malaysian trumpet flower is a beautiful variety that looks like it is made of paper. The entire plant is delicate looking with long thin, narrow leaves which reach about 18-24 inches tall and bloom in the winter months with yellow or gold trumpet shaped flowers that can reach up to 6 inches across. They do best in partial shade but will also do well in bright sunlight conditions.

Italian amaryllis

The Italian Amaryllis has large waxy leaves that can grow up to 12-18 inches long and blossom in the winter months with 3 inch flowers which come in deep purple, blue, pale pink or white. They do best in zones 8-10 but can also be grown as a houseplant almost everywhere else.

Red dragon amaryllis

The Red Dragon Amaryllis is a beautiful variety that has leaves that can grow to 6-9 inches long and blossom in the winter months with 3 inch flowers which come in red, white, pink or yellow. They love bright sunlight and will also do fairly well in partial shade conditions. They can also be grown as houseplants almost everywhere else.

Giant red lady amaryllis

The Giant Red Lady Amaryllis is a variety that loves bright sunlight but will also do fairly well in partial shade conditions. They have leaves that can grow to 18 inches wide and 20 inches tall and blossom in the winter months with 3 inch flowers which come in red, yellow or pink. They can also be grown as houseplants almost everywhere else.

Stiefmütterchen Amaryllis

Stiefmütterchen Amaryllis is a beautiful variety that grows 2-3 inches tall and has star-shaped flowers in red, white or pink. They need to be planted in the ground and are best grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with bright sunlight.

Chinese sacred lily (Hemerocallis) Amaryllis

The Chinese Sacred Lily Amaryllis is a beautiful variety with lily llike flowers that can grow to 6 inches tall and bloom in the summer months with white or pale pink flowers. They do best in zones 8-10 but can also be grown as houseplants almost everywhere else.

They need to be planted in the ground and are best grown as houseplants almost everywhere else.

Shooting star Amaryllis

The Shooting Star amaryllis is a beautiful variety that grows 6-12 inches tall and blooms anytime from fall to spring with bright red, orange or white trumpet shaped flowers which can last for 2-3 weeks just in time for Christmas. They need to be planted in the ground and are best grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with bright sunlight.

Yellow amaryllis

The yellow amaryllis is a beautiful variety that can grow 18-24 inches tall and bloom in the winter months with flowers which are bright golden yellow. They do best in zones 8-10 but will also do well as house plants almost everywhere else with partial shade conditions.

Zwartkop Amaryllis

Zwartkop Amaryllis is a beautiful variety that grows 2-3 feet tall and has leaves which grow up to 36 inches long. They have flowers that are bright pink but can also be found in shades of red, white, salmon or deep purple (depending on the cultivar). These plants are hardy in zones 7A-11 and bloom from summer to fall. They are best grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with bright sunlight.

Hermann's amaryllis

Hermann's Amaryllis is a variety that grows 12-18 inches tall and has leaves which grow up to 36 inches long. They have flowers that are bright pink but can also be found in shades of white, red or salmon (depending on the cultivar). These plants are hardy in zones 7A-11 and bloom from summer to fall. They are best grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with bright sunlight.

Guernsey amaryllis

Guernsey amaryllis is a beautiful variety that grows 6-12 inches tall and has leaves which grow up to 12 inches long. They come in shades of red or salmon (depending on the cultivar). These plants are hardy in zones 11A-11B and bloom from summer to fall. They are best grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with bright sunlight.

Candy Cane amaryllis

Candy Cane amaryllis is a beautiful variety that grows 6-9 inches tall and has leaves which grow up to 18 inches long. They have flowers that come in shades of red or salmon (depending on the cultivar). These plants are hardy in zones 7A-11 and bloom from summer to fall. They are best grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with bright sunlight.

Hybrid amaryllis

The Hybrid amaryllis is a large variety that grows 18-30 inches tall and has leaves which grow up to 36 inches long. They have flowers in the shades of red, orange or pink (depending on the cultivar) which are beautiful and grow 10-12 inches across. These plants are hardy in zones 8A-11 and bloom from summer to fall. They are best grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with bright sunlight.

Paperwhite amaryllis

The paperwhite variety of amaryllis is a small variety that grows 5-8 inches tall and has leaves which grow up to 12 inches long. They bloom in winter with fragrant flowers that are white, pink or red depending on the cultivar. These plants are hardy in zones 7A-10B and need to be grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with partial to bright sunlight.

Starburst amaryllis

The starburst variety of amaryllis is a beautiful type which grows 6-12 inches tall and has leaves which grow up to 12 inches long. They bloom in winter with flowers that are white, pink or red depending on the cultivar. These plants are hardy in zones 7A-10B and need to be grown as houseplants almost everywhere else with partial to bright sunlight.

FAQS:

How to start growing amaryllis

Amaryllis require full sun and well drained soil. Gently dig a hole twice the size of the bulbs. Fill in the bottom third with sand or small rocks for drainage. Place the bulb in carefully so you won't damage it, cover to about 4 inches above the bulb, pat down slightly, then back fill with soil to about 1 inch below the surface. Water and let it drain. If you don't see any green shoots after a few weeks, carefully add more water until it drains out.

Are there different varieties of amaryllis bulbs?

Yes! There are over 50 species of Amaryllis from the Southern Hemisphere, each with dozens of varieties! This is one reason why there are so many different types of amaryllis bulbs.

How do I plant an Amaryllis?

Popular varieties should be planted in a pot 8-10 inches deep or direct planted into the ground after the last frost. Planting depth varies from 1-3 feet, depending on the variety. Place the bulb in well drained soil and surround with potting medium or dug up soil.

Amaryllis care is very easy, which makes them great for beginners. Once established, you rarely need to water or even fertilize these decorative beauties unless you live in a hot climate. When done blooming, cut flower stalks back to leave the foliage and then just sit back and enjoy while they go dormant for up to 6 months until you are ready to see them rebloom again.

Full sun is imperative for Amaryllis and will help their flowers bloom as soon as possible. Make sure your bulbs receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

When should I plant amaryllis bulbs?

Plant as early in fall as possible and stagger your planting throughout fall, allowing for at least 2 weeks of chilling in the cold before they begin to sprout.

How do you force amaryllis bulbs?

You can force them by using bottom heat such as a seed starting mat or grow bulb. Some people have success with placing the pot into an already warm room and others just let nature take its course.

Amaryllis bulbs prefer a soil rich in organic matter with lots of compost and the addition of bone meal will help to impart size and strength to your blooms. Great drainage is also essential so be sure to use porous potting media that degrades over time or add plenty of perlite or sand to the soil medium.

Conclusion

Amaryllis are the perfect plant for brightening up dark winter days. Since they prefer bright, warm conditions, they make great houseplants. Take good care of amaryllis plants and they'll reward you with beautiful flowers year after year. Paired with other bulbs like daffodils or paperwhites in a vase, they can create a stunning display.

Amaryllis bulbs come in many different colors and varieties so you can enjoy them year after year with minimal effort. Their beauty is worth the small amount of time it takes to prepare their soil and place the bulb gently into the ground or pot. Once you see their gorgeous flowers, you'll be glad you took the time!