There are hundreds of amaryllis varieties, many of which are hybrids. This popular bulb produces large flowers in exotic hues and forms. They are a common gift plant during the holidays due to their habit of blooming in winter. Selecting an amaryllis type to grow may depend upon availability but there are five main classifications for the bulbs. These are small flowering, trumpet shape, large flowering, double flowering and cybister with spider-like blooms.
Most amaryllis you can grow are only hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 8-11 but they can be grown after bloom as foliage plants or the bulb can be lifted after the foliage is allowed to die back. You can find several amaryllis plants in the Gardening Know How Shop, and several of these are listed below. Bring out the bulb the following fall and plant it again for another flowery holiday display.
Choosing the Most Beautiful Amaryllis Varieties
Of the many types of amaryllis, some are real stand-outs. The large blooming amaryllis types are often the most readily available, and their visionary display has a huge impact. But collectors and curious gardeners can get their hands on many other cultivars. You can find bulbs that bloom in red, white, pink, salmon, apricot, burgundy, rose, purple and flowers with bicolor attributes. Alongside poinsettia plants which make incredible holiday decor plants, these amaryllis plants will set off any holiday display in style.
1. Winter Watch Double Alfresco
(Image credit: Jackson & Perkins)
This is a South African cultivar and boasts huge, almost fluffy, white flowers. The center is a chartreuse eye that is set off beautifully by the creamy petals. The stems will grow 14 inches (36cm) tall and produce six inch (15cm) blooms. The petals of Winter Watch Double Alfresco, available in the Gardening Know How shop, are double to triple, leading to a very layered appearance.
2. Warmest Welcome Minerva
(Image credit: Jackson & Perkins)
A light red flowering variety, Minerva’s petals have slashes of white feathering out towards the margins. The throat is lime green in flowers that span seven inches (18cm). The stripes of the Warmest Welcome Minerva amaryllis, available in the Gardening Know How shop, produces one or two flowering stems of 20 inches (50cm). Each stem will develop three-four flowers within six-ten weeks of planting the bulb. The strappy leaves are elegant even when the blooms have failed.
3. Red Lion
(Image credit: Jackson & Perkins)
A classic holiday amaryllis, Red Lion has deeply crimson flowers. The anthers are prominent and tipped with white. The eye is darkly green with lime edges. Red Lion, available in the Gardening Know How Shop, is an award winning bulb whose 24 inch (60cm) stems can bear up to six flowers each. While it only has single petals, the bold color of the flowers is well worth growing.
4. Apple Blossom
The flowers on this amaryllis truly have an apple blossom appearance, down to the blushed petals and golden center. The flowers are soft pink with creamy hints. The bulb produces two or three 20 inch (50cm) stems with up to six buds.
5. Double Dancing Queen
(Image credit: Irina Nazarova / Getty Images)
Layers of frilled red and white striped flowers look much like petticoats furling out in a twirl. The stems grow up to 15 inches (38cm) with one or two large flowers. An elegant, smaller plant, Dancing Queen provides holiday cheer with its candy-cane like stripes.
6. Butterfly Amaryllis
Hues of maroon, cream and bronze dance across the large flowers. Long creamy anthers and delicately curved petals mimic the form of a butterfly. This is a semi-evergreen hybrid that may bloom twice per year. The 20 inch (50cm) stems may bear up to five flowers which are long lasting. The elegant flowers are artistically appealing, as if hand made.
7. Faro
A glorious apricot-salmon variety, Faro petals are also painted with a creamy center. The eye of the plant is vibrantly green. Faro flowers can grow up to nine inches (23cm) across so you may need to stake the stems of this amaryllis to support the weight of the blooms.
8. Double Dragon
(Image credit: Sergey Kalyakin / Alamy)
A ferocious contender for top hybrid, Double Dragon has double petals, dark green strappy leaves, and deep red-orange flowers. The petals are subtly striped with a deeper color and the center is bright green. The flowers appear seven-nine weeks after planting for a quicker flower experience than many amaryllis bulbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do amaryllis bulbs multiply?
Like many varieties of bulb, amaryllis bulbs will produce daughters or offsets. As these mature they can be divided away from the main bulb and potted up separately. Divide every few years in early fall.
How many different types of amaryllis are there?
There are around 500 varieties of amaryllis available. It took botanists over 50 years to settle on that number.
This article features products available from third party vendors on the Gardening Know How Shop.
