Amaryllis Care
Amaryllis Care Guide: How to Grow for Blooms Indoors and Outdoors
Amaryllis are treasured for their ability to produce large, vibrant flowers indoors during the coldest months of winter. Their low-maintenance care and potential for reblooming make them a favorite among indoor gardeners. Follow this guide to enjoy the beauty of amaryllis year after year indoors, or to transition them outdoors to enjoy in your garden here in Columbia.
Amaryllis Cape Horn
Choosing Your Amaryllis Bulbs
Look for firm, unblemished bulbs, similar to how you would choose an onion. Larger bulbs produce more stems and flowers. For a more impressive display, choose the largest bulbs you can find. The flowers are already formed in the bulb when you receive them, so larger bulbs will have more and larger flowers.
While red and white varieties are the most common, amaryllis is also available in shades of pink, burgundy, orange, yellow, and even green.
Select bulbs from the southern hemisphere (sometimes referred to as “Christmas Blooming”) if you want them to bloom for the holidays, or as fast as possible (4-6 weeks). Bulbs from the northern hemisphere (sometimes called “shelf stable”) will bloom after the holidays, since they are going to take longer to acclimate to the warmth of your home. Typically, these take 6-10 weeks to bloom and are wonderful to have in bloom in January and February,
How to Grow Amaryllis Indoors
Preparing Your Amaryllis Bulb
Wake the Bulb: Soak the roots in warm water for about an hour, then allow them to drain completely.
Planting: Use well-draining potting soil and pot the bulb, leaving about one-third of the bulb above the soil surface.
Initial Watering: Thoroughly soak the soil with warm water after planting, then refrain from watering until green shoots appear.
Placement: Keep the pot in a warm, dark spot (70-75°F) for two weeks to encourage root development.
Pro Tip: If your bulb has already started sprouting, don’t worry. The stem will naturally straighten as it grows.
Encouraging Blooms
Move to Light: Once roots are established, place the pot in a bright, warm location (70-80°F). A sunny windowsill or a spot near a heat source works well.
Watering: Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to bulb rot.
Patience is Key: Growth may take several weeks. Keep the pot warm and avoid excessive watering.
Rotate for Even Growth: When the stem begins to emerge, rotate the pot daily to ensure the stalk grows straight.
Caring During the Bloom period
Prolong Blooms: Once the flowers open, move the pot out of direct sunlight to extend bloom time.
Deadhead Regularly: Remove fading flowers by cutting them near the base of the stalk. This can encourage additional blooms.
Trim Spent Stalks: After all flowers have faded, cut the stem back to about 2 inches above the bulb. Leave green leaves intact to nourish the bulb for next season.
How to Save Amaryllis Bulbs for Reblooming Indoors
Post-Bloom Care: Place the pot in a bright location and continue watering when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilize monthly.
Summer Outdoors: Two weeks after the last frost (mid-April in Columbia), move the pot outside to a sunny or partially shaded area to promote leaf growth and strengthen the bulb.
Fall Dormancy Preparation:
In early fall, cut the foliage just above the bulb.
Bring the pot indoors and place it in a cool, dark location (50-60°F) for 8-10 weeks.
Do not water during the dormancy period.
Restart Growth: After the dormancy period, follow the initial growth steps to encourage blooming once again.
Note: Amaryllis bulbs thrive when slightly pot-bound. Repotting every year is not necessary, allowing for easy long-term care.
By following these steps, you can enjoy beautiful amaryllis blooms during the winter months and cultivate healthy bulbs that rebloom season after season.
Growing Amaryllis Outdoors
Amaryllis also makes an excellent garden plant and is cold hardy in South Carolina through USDA planting Zone 8. This means Amaryllis grown indoors during the holiday season can be moved outdoors in the spring after the threat of frost has passed, generally around mid-April. Gradually acclimate the indoor plants to brighter light by moving them to a porch or patio area before planting them in the garden.
find the right location
Amaryllis, like all bulbs, need soil that drains well. A raised bed may be necessary to ensure good drainage if your soil has a lot of clay in it. A soil rich in organic matter will provide the best growth, so add compost if your soil is lean like ours. Plant bulbs directly into the ground, spaced about a foot apart. Plant with half the bulb tip above ground, leaving the tops barely covered with soil.
Select a sunny spot in the garden that receives afternoon shade. Avoid placing the bulb where it will dry out excessively. Apply mulch, especially during the fall and winter months. Leaves work well for this.
Fertilize
Fertilization determines the size and quality of the flowers and foliage. For garden plantings, fertilizers containing low nitrogen, such as 5-10-10 or 6-12-12 analysis should be used. Use quantities as defined on the fertilizer bag. Make the first fertilizer application as new growth begins, then repeat the application when the flower stalk is 6 to 8 inches tall, before blooming. Do not feed while the plant is in bloom. Apply a third application immediately after flowering. Remove spend stalks/blooms but keep the leaves on the plant.
Amaryllis grown outdoors are deer resistant. They will grow lush foliage outdoors over the summer, storing energy for future blooms.
A Versatile Bloom for Every Season
Whether you’re decorating your home for winter, planning thoughtful gifts, or adding beauty to your garden, amaryllis is a wonderful choice. With its vibrant colors and easy care, it’s a simple way to brighten any space.
We carry amaryllis bulbs each year starting in early November. You can find our selections at this link : https://www.purpletuteur.com/garden-bulbs
Important Updates for the Holiday Season
The Bulb Shop Is Open!
We’re thrilled to announce that our bulb shop is officially open at www.purpletuteur.com! Browse our curated selection of beautiful amaryllis, paperwhites, daffodils, tulips, and peonies, all chosen to bring vibrant color and fragrance to your home and garden this season. Whether you’re looking for holiday blooms or planning ahead for spring, we have something special for everyone. PLEASE NOTE: Local delivery and pick up only for these items. Deliveries are made on Tuesdays and Fridays. Deliveries will begin on 11/15, assuming everything in your order has arrived by then. (Everything is due in the week of 11/11). Farm pick up is available on the following dates from 10:30-12:30. November 20,23,27 and December 4,7,14. If these dates don’t work, please contact us and we will try to accommodate you.
For both pick up and delivery, we will notify you when your order is ready.
Come See Us at the Blythewood Farmers Market Holiday Market!
On another note, we unfortunately have to cancel our Holiday Open House due to a recent water pipe burst in the farmhouse. With repairs underway and water being turned off periodically, it’s best to hold off on hosting events at the farm for now. However, we will still offer pick-up for online orders—just plan accordingly around the bathroom limitations!
We’re excited to announce that we’ll be at the Blythewood Farmers Market Holiday Artisan Market on November 23rd from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. instead. Come by and see us there to pick up some of your holiday favorites!
Visit www.purpletuteur.com now to explore our full collection and place your orders before they sell out.
2025 Subscriptions
Our 2025 Subscriptions will be available for purchase starting 11/11/2024. Get your holiday gift shopping done or give yourself the gift of wellness with fresh flowers. Watch for our email update!
Thank you for all your support of our small farm. We are grateful and honored to serve you.
Best,
Linda
Winter Bulb Season is Here!
Hello Flower Friends,
I’m excited to bring you some wonderful news – our fall bulbs have arrived in the U.S., and many are already at the farm! While we’re updating the website and preparing for orders to go live by Wednesday, here’s a quick preview of what’s available and how to make the most of these beautiful blooms in the South.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis bulbs are a wintertime favorite, known for their stunning, trumpet-shaped blooms and bold colors that brighten up indoor spaces during the colder months. Our selection includes vibrant reds, delicate pinks, pure whites, and other striking hues. These low-maintenance bulbs are easy to grow indoors, bringing life and beauty to any room with minimal effort.
Early/ Holiday Bloomers
Amaryllis typically bloom 6-8 weeks after planting, making them a perfect choice for holiday décor or as a thoughtful gift. With blooms that can reach up to 10 inches across, each flower makes a big impact. Amaryllis are also long-lasting, with individual blooms lasting several weeks and bulbs often producing multiple flower stalks. For an extended display, stagger planting times to enjoy these gorgeous flowers all winter long.
Paperwhites
We’re pleased to offer Paperwhite NIR, an especially fragrant variety perfect for brightening up indoor spaces. With elegant, pure white blooms, Paperwhite NIR grows quickly and requires no chilling period. As easy-to-grow indoor bulbs, they only need 3-4 weeks to bloom, filling your home with their signature sweet fragrance. Perfect for holiday decorating or as a thoughtful gift, these bulbs are a favorite for their simplicity and beauty.
Daffodils
We’re delighted to offer daffodils again with two varieties that flourish in Southern gardens:
Bridal Crown – Known for its soft, creamy-white petals and yellow centers, Bridal Crown has a lovely, multi-layered bloom structure and a captivating fragrance. It’s a great choice for Southern gardeners looking for both beauty and scent.
Peaches and Cream – With ivory white petals and delicate pale peach cups, Peaches and Cream is an enticing large-cupped daffodil. Its soft color palette blends effortlessly into any garden, making it ideal for spring displays. These easy-to-grow daffodils are excellent for naturalizing and make perfect cut flowers.
Tulips
Growing tulips in the South requires a bit of extra care, as our winters aren’t cold enough for the bulbs to thrive naturally. Our tulips have been pre-chilled to ensure they bloom beautifully in spring. Here are this season’s stunning options:
Mango Charm – This warm-toned tulip has rich, sunset hues of orange with hints of pink, creating a tropical focal point in garden beds or pots. It’s perfect for adding a lively pop of color to cut arrangements.
Negrita – A deep, velvety purple tulip, Negrita pairs beautifully with Mango Charm. Its moody, dramatic hue adds elegance and depth to any display, offering a modern, high-impact spring look.
Tip: Growing tulips in pots can give them an extra chill since above-ground temps are cooler than soil temperatures.
Peonies
We’re delighted to offer an early-season herbaceous peony that thrive in warmer climates. Sunny Girl is a standout with its rare pastel yellow blooms, perfect for adding a cheerful touch to the garden and as a beautiful cut flower. Its large, eye-catching flowers are sure to be a favorite!
For more detailed growing tips on peonies in warmer climates, check out our blog post here.
Stay tuned as we prepare the website for orders, and feel free to reach out with any questions. Happy planting, and here’s to a gorgeous season of blooms! 🌷
Bulb Forcing Class Update
Hi All,
Spring is another week closer! Flowers are beginning to show up on the farm, and the weather this week looks fabulous. We’re excited to get the season off the ground.
Class Update
The class on Forcing Bulbs for Winter Blooms has been rescheduled to Saturday March 9th from 10 am until noon. I appreciate everyone’s patience with the date change since I got sick and things had to move. In this class, we do a deep dive into how to prepare your bulbs for early bloom, covering those that have to be chilled and amaryllis and paperwhites, which do not. Then you will have access to prepared bulbs that we have been cooling since November to make your own bulb garden to take home. Grab a friend and join us! We’d love to have you. Light refreshments will be served.
For the details and to sign up, follow this link:
https://www.purpletuteur.com/aboutourclasses
That’s it for now.
Best,
Linda
Our Holiday Open House is Tomorrow!
The time has come for our last event of the year! We have a lot to help you with your holiday decorating and for gift giving to the flower lovers and the gardeners in your life. Everything is set up on a covered porch or in our processing shed, so we’ll be there rain or shine. Saturday, December 2 from 10:30 – 2:30.
Location
If you haven’t been to the farm before, the address is 787 Langford Road in Blythewood. If you use google maps to get the directions, there is an error in the last step. It tells you to turn onto Arnell Court. We are actually the driveway next to Arnell Court. If you are facing the farm, we’re the driveway on the left.
Bulbs
We have lots of things to choose from! We have amaryllis bulbs ranging in price from $14 to $24. This year we have potted up some of them to get them growing for you. They are $5 more than the bare bulb. We showed the colors in our last post, so I won’t repeat that here.
If you like to get creative, here is some inspiration from @karenlidbeck on Instagram. In this post, she walks through how to make this winter arrangement featuring her amaryllis bulb. So fun! Karen is a stylist for some of the home magazines, including Better Homes and Gardens. She is full of great ideas.
We also have 5 packs of paperwhites, and you could do something similar with those!
The daffodils ready to go in these fun gift packs for $10. Instructions are included.
Our amaryllis bulbs are bagged with growing instructions.
Bulb Gardens
Of course, if you don’t enjoy the arranging or don’t have a minute to spare, we have some bulbs potted up in decorative containers and some bulb gardens ready to go. Prices range from $10 to $90, so we have something for everyone
Greenery
We will have our greenery bouquets again this year at $22. We also have some holiday bouquets that include our heirloom mums for$45 in a sleeve and $60 in this birch bark vase. (We grew our first mums this year, and after the holidays I promise to tell you more!).
Our Holiday Shop Special - 3 stems of beautiful magnolia for $10, while supplies last!
Greenery bouquets are $22
Mum arrangement in this birch bark vase $60
2024 Subscriptions
We will be offering our bouquet subscriptions again next year. We update the website for ordering subscriptions and subscription gift cards by December 5th. Stay tuned!
This has been a full and challenging year for us and we could not do it without all of you. We are honored to be able to serve our community by bringing the joy and beauty of flowers to your door.
Best wishes for a happy holiday season!
Linda
Our Holiday Shop
Hi All,
We have a lot in store for you this holiday season! From bulbs to greens to bulb gardens, we have tried to incorporate all of your requests into our new holiday season offerings. Everything will be available starting on December 1. You may go ahead and order on the website to reserve your purchases. This year, we are offering delivery in our standard delivery area for $12. Delivery zip codes are the same as the ones we use for our bouquet subscriptions: 29201, 29204, 29205,29206,29209, 29016, 29045, 29169, 29223, 29229. Select from “shipping” and “pick-up” options at checkout.
While we did offer shipping for our spring bulbs (and will offer shipping again for our summer bulbs), we are not going to ship during the holiday season. Amaryllis are cold sensitive and since we are just getting started with shipping, we don’t want to risk having bulbs arrive damaged or frozen. Hopefully we will be able to do this next year. For now, help us find homes for all these beautiful bulbs in the Columbia area!
Read on to learn what is coming available.
Amaryllis Bulbs
Here is our selection of bulbs. When you get on the website, you will notice that the prices vary. This has to do with the size of the bulb. A 28-30 cm bulb is a standard size and will have one stem (possibly two) with multiple blooms on it. 30-32 cm bulbs have 2 stems with multiple blooms. This year we have included some of the largest bulbs available, size 36-38cm. These can have 3 or 4 stems and are a show of their own. Naturally, larger bulbs are more expensive since they take longer to grow. Prices range from $16-$27 per bulb.
When selecting your bulbs, consider how you want to display them. The container size and the visual effect can mean that you want several smaller bulbs or a large one.
Not every bulb shown here will bloom in time for Christmas. We will have a few that do, but many will take time to grow into their magnificence so that you can enjoy them during the winter days to come.
If you have any questions about any of these varieties, feel free to email me or come to our open house on December 2nd and let us help you.
Paperwhite Bulbs
We offer lightly scented paperwhites. The variety is ‘Nazareth’, also sometimes called ‘Nir’. See photo below, left, for the bloom. These bulbs are the largest available at 17-18 cm. The photo below on the right compares a standard daffodil bulb and the paperwhite. This means that they send up multiple flowering stems in a single bulb. Another great show. I am very excited to have them for you.
Priced at 5 bulb pack for $12.
Greenery Bouquets
We will also be offering our greenery bouquets again this year. Even if you have an artificial tree, like we do, its great to have the scent of winter greenery in the house. These can also be used for porch pots and swags outside. Deck the halls! These are $25
Potted Bulbs and Gift Kits
We have items potted up and ready to give or to use to decorate your home. Complete forcing kits are available for those who are travelling during the holidays and need to start theirs growing on their own schedule.
Holiday Open House
On Saturday, December 2nd, we will have our holiday open house. In addition to the items mentioned above, we will have bulbs potted up for gift giving and/or to decorate your home. Here are a few examples of what we will have, and another update will come out closer to the event.
Our Paperwhite Santa Tin (left) is a great gift for book club, teaches, church groups or others. $12 each. If you are ordering a number of these, please allow one week for delivery.
An amaryllis bulb planted in a birch pot, ready for its new home. $32 and up, depending on the bulb.
The website shop will be available by Wednesday 11/8 at noon.
We are looking forward to the excitement of the holidays and more time with friends and loved ones. We are working diligently this week, with lots of help, to get the majority of our spring planting done. Then we take a break through Thanksgiving. Horray!
We are so thankful for each of you who have supported our farm in some way. We appreciate your business and the honored to serve our community.
Wishing You Joy,
Linda
Last Call for Bulbs!
Thanks to all of you who came out to our first ever Holiday Garden Market! We enjoyed meeting some new flower friends and seeing some familiar faces too. Since our first year was a big success, we are looking at doing it again next year. For the second year, we will do a weekday and a Saturday for those who can’t get out during the week. Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see us offer.
Selling bulbs, forcing kits and bulb gardens is a great way for us to bridge the revenue gap between cut flower seasons. And of course, we have to offer bouquets! Our greenery bouquets have been well received too, so thank you.
This is our last week for bulbs. If you are ordering now, bulbs will not be in bloom by the holidays, but will bring some sunshine into January for whoever grows them. We have a selection of Hot Pink (Bolero) and Soft Apricot (Rilona) and White (Denver) that will be great choices, along with Sparticus, the red and white striped bloom that works for Valentines Day too. Forcing kits make a great gift for those who travel during the holidays and are home in January and February.
For the gardeners in the group, we still have a few anemone and ranunculus corms available. Check out the website for the color selection. You still have time to soak and plant them for gorgeous spring blooms!
So, if you order by 12/9, you can pick up at the farm on Saturday 12/10. For orders over $40 we will deliver next Tuesday 12/13. We will be taking the bulb shop off our website on 12/9 at 8:00 pm
Subscriptions
For those who want to provide a bouquet subscription as a gift, or to get your order in early, we will be setting up the subscription shop on 12/12 for spring and summer subscriptions. Stay tuned!
As always, thank you so much for all of your support of our flower farm. We feel so blessed to be able to provide flowers to our community and we couldn’t do it without you!
Linda
Our Holiday Open House is Tomorrow!
We are so excited to welcome you to the farm for our Holiday Open House tomorrow, December 1, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm! We will have our paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs for sale as well as forcing kits, which include the bulb and a nursery pot and soil. The forcing kits make great gifts for those who have a busy travel schedule over the holidays. The bulb will stay fairly dormant until it is planted and water is added. I will be closing the online store today and will open it back up on Friday, after the open house is over. We don’t want to oversell and risk disappointment!
At the open house, we will have a selection of potted up bulb gardens for easy holiday preparation or gift giving. Along with amaryllis and paperwhites, these can include some succulents and angel wing begonia so that you have something to keep your “need for green” going through the winter. We can also help you fill your own container, if you have something special that you use for the holidays.
We are also making greenery bouquets. I love doing these for the holidays. Since most of us use artificial trees these days, a vase of fresh greenery can be just the thing to get the holiday scent going at home. Some also use the greens around the house to enhance their other decorations.
Mary Ann Adams from One Hubcap Farm will also be there with her gorgeous wreaths! She will have a variety of sizes available. She can also take orders for later pick-up if you don’t find what you are looking for.
Tina Hall-Franklin from T2K Java will also be there with her hot cocoa and coffee to keep us warmer. She also sells her coffee beans. Tina has a portable pop-up shop so think of her for your events too!
The weather will be a little cooler tomorrow so you may want to wear an extra layer! More like the holiday weather I grew up with so happy for a little chill this time of year. We will be on the front porch of the processing shed, so covered but outside.
We hope to see you there!
Linda
The Holidays are Coming!
Wow! We have had such a busy year at the farm. So many infrastructure projects are done which allows us to provide you with more flowers over a longer season. There is much to tell about all that has been accomplished but that will have to wait until winter arrives and things finally slow down. For now, we are in the season of Amaryllis and Paperwhites!
Ednie Photos
For growing instructions, see our blog post here: https://www.purpletuteur.com/blog/2019/10/31/amaryllis-and-paperwhites
We have bulbs and forcing kits again this year. We have again searched out larger bulbs and more unusual varieties to make available to you in Columbia. You can order them from our website and select a day to pick them up at the farm. See our selection here: https://www.purpletuteur.com/garden-bulbs
We will also have a selection for sale at the Jingle and Mingle event held Thursday, December 10 at The Lake Murray Visitor's Center (2184 North Lake Dr. Columbia, SC 29212), 4-7pm. If you live out that way, you will also be able to pre-order online and pick up at the Visitor’s Center during the event.
Thank you so much for all the support you have given us this year. It means so much and keeps us going.
Wishing you many blessings over the holiday season,
Linda