Amaryllis and Paperwhites: Easy Indoor Blooms for the Winter Season
I recently gave a talk to a garden club about growing amaryllis and paperwhites and was surprised to learn that many of the members had never tried growing these delightful bulbs. Both are easy to grow and offer a welcome indoor floral display when it’s too cold for outdoor blooms.
Amaryllis: Your Winter Weather Showstopper
Amaryllis bulbs take about 6–8 weeks to bloom, depending on the variety. To get started:
Pot them up and place them in a low-light location for the first week to 10 days. This helps their roots establish.
Once the stems begin to emerge, move them to a warm spot with indirect light
Turn the pot occasionally to keep the stems growing straight.
Did you know? Each amaryllis bulb already contains the flowers that will emerge—this is why bulb size matters. Larger bulbs produce more stems and more flowers per stem, creating a more dramatic display.
Amaryllis bulbs also make fantastic gifts! They remain dormant until potted and watered. One holiday season, I gifted amaryllis forcing kits to friends. Watching them share pictures of their blooms was so rewarding—it’s a gift that keeps giving long after the holidays.
Paperwhites: Quick and Elegant
For those seeking quicker blooms, paperwhites are the instant-gratification bulbs of the season, blooming in just 3–5 weeks. If you start now, you could even have blooms for Christmas! As with amaryllis, larger paperwhite bulbs mean more abundant flowers.
Most commonly, you’ll find the variety ‘Ziva’ in stores, known for its strong scent. However, newer varieties with milder fragrances and even touches of color are becoming popular.
A bonus: After the holidays, if your paperwhites were grown in potting soil, you can plant them in your garden. Add compost and a little bone meal to the soil, and you can enjoy their blooms for years to come here in Columbia.
Tips for Long-Lasting Blooms
Keep blooms cooler and away from direct sunlight to prolong their beauty.
Avoid high temperatures, which can cause stems to grow too long and fall over. If this happens, cut the stem at its base and display the flower in a vase—it makes a gorgeous cut flower!
A Fun Cornell Trick: Blooms on “The Rocks”
A study from Cornell University found that using alcohol—yes, gin, vodka, or tequila—helps keep stems of both amaryllis and paperwhites shorter and sturdier. Here’s how:
Mix one part alcohol to seven parts water.
Use this mixture for weekly watering once the stems start to grow.
Avoid beer or wine (too much sugar!) and keep the solution mild—too much alcohol is toxic (we knew that, didn’t we?).
Tip: Rubbing alcohol works just as well if you don’t have liquor on hand.
Local Holiday Bulbs
This weekend, we’ll have amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs available for sale at the Dolce Vita Farms Open House:
📍 1715 Congress Rd, Eastover, SC 29044
🕚 Hours: 11 AM – 3 PM on Saturday, December 7.
Amaryllis bulbs started now won’t bloom for Christmas, but they’re a joy to experience after the holidays.
If you’re looking for something blooming in time for Christmas, stop by Cottage and Vine:
📍 4619 Forest Drive - Suite 2, Columbia, SC 29206
🕙 Hours: M–F 10 AM–5:30 PM | Sat 10 AM–4 PM
📞 803.550.9409 | 🌐 www.shopcottageandvine.com
Nancy has beautiful, gift-worthy pots of amaryllis and paperwhites ready to go.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with love and blooms,
Linda