A Little Potting. A Lot to Look Forward To.
A beginner's guide to growing amaryllis and paperwhites

Your home could use a few flowers. You could use a gardening win. Amaryllis and paperwhites are a good place to start.

They also make holiday decorating easy. Start with a favorite pot, then dress it up with a little moss, evergreen sprigs, pinecones, or decorative red berry stems. Tuck in a few ornaments or weave battery-operated fairy lights in and around the container for a little sparkle. If the stems need support, loosely tie them to stakes with festive ribbon. Practical can be pretty, too.

These indoor favorites grow from bulbs with energy already stored for their big debut. A pot, a little water, and the right light will help them get there. Gardening experience? Optional.

Amaryllis: Big Flowers, Small To-Do List

With oversized, trumpet-shaped flowers, amaryllis looks like something that required considerably more effort. We'll let you take the credit.

Start with regular, unwaxed bulbs and a few basics:

1. Pick your pot. Choose a sturdy container for one bulb or group several in a larger pot, leaving about an inch of space between bulbs and around the sides. Drainage holes are ideal. If your pot doesn't have holes, water sparingly. Water collecting at the bottom can cause roots and bulbs to rot.
2. Leave the tops showing. Add well-draining potting mix, position the bulbs roots down, and fill around them. Keep the upper third to half of each bulb above the mix. No need to tuck them all the way in
3. Water, then give it a minute. Add just enough water to lightly moisten the mix without leaving it soggy. While you wait for growth, water sparingly and let the surface dry between waterings. Checking for a sprout three times a day is optional—and surprisingly tempting.
4. Find a bright spot. A warm spot helps growth get started. Once shoots appear, place your pot in bright, indirect light and water as needed to keep the mix lightly moist, never soggy. Turn the pot regularly to help the stems grow straight.

Blooms often arrive about 6–8 weeks after planting, though some varieties get moving sooner. Check your package for timing, and remember: bulbs aren't big on calendar invites.

Have a waxed amaryllis? You get to skip the potting and watering. Follow its package directions and enjoy.

Paperwhites: Bring a Little Fragrance Indoors

Paperwhites grow clusters of delicate, often fragrant flowers. Plant several together for a fuller look—and a little something extra for that table you've been meaning to style.

Growing in potting mix? Choose a pot with drainage holes, set the bulbs close together with pointed ends up, and add mix until just their tips remain exposed. Water enough to lightly moisten the mix, keeping it moist but never soggy. If your pot doesn't have drainage holes, water sparingly so water doesn't collect at the bottom and cause rot.

Prefer pebbles? That works, too. Choose a watertight bowl or vase, add a layer of clean pebbles, and nestle the bulbs on top. Tuck more pebbles around them for support. Add water just to the bulbs' bases, keeping the rest of each bulb above water. Check the level regularly so the roots have water to reach. Think roots in the water, bulbs out of the bath.

Start them somewhere cool while roots develop, then move them into bright, indirect light as shoots grow. Flowers typically arrive in 4–6 weeks.

A Little Support Goes a Long Way

Tall stems sometimes need a hand. A small stake or a loose loop of twine can help keep them upright. It's plant support. Very normal.

Once flowers open, a cooler spot away from heating vents and strong direct sun helps them last longer.

After flowering, you can keep amaryllis for another season. Remove the spent flower stalks, leave the green leaves, and continue providing light, water, and fertilizer as directed. Paperwhites are usually enjoyed as a one-season indoor planting.

A few bulbs, a little care, and flowers you grew yourself. Go ahead and point that out when someone compliments them.