9 Types of Amaryllis & How to Grow Them Indoors

Possibly one of the most gifted flowers of the holiday season, Amaryllis (also known as Hippeastrum) is a winter stunner that does a fantastic job of transforming our indoor space into an oasis even when the weather is cold. With incredible star-shaped flowers available in a dizzying array of colors, it’s no wonder they’re so beloved—there’s an Amaryllis for every aesthetic, making it easy to show mom, sis, and even Uncle Steve that you care. Here are some of our favorites:

Amaryllis for Holiday Decor

If your goal is picture-perfect blooms to complete your holiday decorating, then these Amaryllis types are sure to be a hit. Make sure to get them planted by November, though, if you want to be enjoying their flowers on Christmas Day. South African (SA) types take much less time because the bulbs are smaller sized—about tennis ball sized. The Dutch (D) types are much larger, sometimes 11-12 inches around, and will take a longer time to bloom. So think about when you want to have them bloom!

Merry Christmas (SA) is an aptly named Amaryllis variety that offers rich, thick flowers in the most vibrant red that shout “have a holly, holly Christmas!” The large, 8” flowers sit high atop 12-14” stems and add a perfect (and living!) finishing touch to your festive decor.

Fire Dancer (SA) boasts a multitude of brilliant crimson blooms that burst forward from 12-16” green stems, perfect for completing that classic red-and-green aesthetic in your home. With these fiery flowers, you won’t just get a bloom or two to enjoy, you’ll get a whole slew of them for a yuletide Amaryllis bouquet that is the perfect way to welcome winter.

Snow White (SA) is a captivating flower to bring that “pure as the driven snow” aesthetic indoors, brightening your indoor decor with a touch of winter. This large, double-blooming Amaryllis variety offers a full globe of dazzling white, frilly flowers that can grow up to 18” tall if you let them!

Amaryllis for a Touch of the Tropics

If you’d rather be transported to a tropical oasis than be reminded of the chill beyond the front door, then these Amaryllis flowers will take you there.

Exotic Star (D) truly lives up to its name with large, lush flowers striped with cream and reddish-pink hues that are just out of this world (or at the very least, out of this country). Not to mention, given enough sunlight, this Amaryllis variety can grow up to 2’ tall—captivating any space.

Apricot Parfait (D) will have you dreaming of tasty, tropical fruits and beachside sunsets all winter long with their soft, peachy petals spread across multiple blooms per stem. To really bring these Amaryllis flowers’ captivating color to life, be sure to provide plenty of sun to fuel their vibrancy.

Samba (D) is one Amaryllis variety that looks straight-out-of-the-jungle, with fantastic, rounded flowers and vibrant colors that look tailor-made for a custom lei. The white petals are painted with touches of bright red and elicit vivid visions of a sunny day on the beach sipping something fruity.

Amaryllis for All Aesthetics

No matter which style you bring to your home decor, there’s an Amaryllis for you—we guarantee it—including these unique finds:

Swazi (SA) Amaryllis is sure to bring warmth to your indoor oasis with its fiery petals that almost look like individual flames of white and red. Their flowers may be slightly smaller in size, but they make up for it in number, offering a multitude of blooms per stalk that will have you transported with their warming appearance.

Graffiti (SA) is as unique as the street art it’s named after, with lime green blooms streaked with wine-colored veins. Perfect for the creative type, these otherworldly Amaryllis flowers are an ideal match for any artistic aesthetic.

Juniper (SA) is truly the perfect choice for anyone looking to break the mold, with a striking shape, unlike any other Amaryllis flowers you’ll find. The long, thin petals are almost reminiscent of an air plant with a creamy color tinged in pink for a subtle addition of color to any room. 

Growing Amaryllis Indoors

To grow the most amazing Amaryllis flowers, you’ll need to start with the best bulb. Look for bigger, heavier bulbs that foreshadow plenty of flowers to come. If any bulb feels soft, spongey, or hollow, leave that sucker behind. Of course, if you buy bulbs online with us, we’ll handpick each bulb just for you to guarantee the best performance as possible.

When it comes to planting, the typical rule for any bulb is to plant 3x as deep as the height of the bulb. However, with Amaryllis bulbs, you’ll want to keep them quite close to the surface. Instead of burying them deep into the soil, leave the bulb’s neck exposed to enjoy their fabulous flowers sooner in the season.

Coming from the sunny south, Amaryllis flowers will need plenty of light to grow to their full potential. Place your planting near a bright window will cause them to reach and grow taller and will need staking. Try growing them in a greenhouse or under grow lights about 12” above the flower. This will keep them shorter, as will keeping them in a cooler environment. 

After planting, start watering your Amaryllis bulb just a little to give it the moisture it needs to get its growing started. Once you see the first signs of green peeking out from the top, then you can begin watering on a more regular schedule. Be careful not to overwater, though—these flowers aren’t fond of having wet feet and are prone to rotting if overwatered. 

Of course, with dozens more varieties to choose from, these few flowers are just a taste of the different types of Amaryllis to be found. Take a look through all of our unique varieties and other fall-planted bulbs available on the online shop and find the perfect flowers for any occasion!