Amaryllis 012 (5 seeds per packet) - Spring

Growing Instructions Amaryllis Seeds

 Amaryllis Flowers

Amaryllis flowers bloom in winter in frost-free climates. In areas that experience mild frost, amaryllis blooms periodically throughout the growing season from spring through fall and dies back in winter. Amaryllis flowers bloom on fleshy 1- to 2-foot-tall stalks that emerge directly from the soil. Grown in containers indoors, amaryllis bulbs bloom in winter just in time for the holiday season.

Seed Development

As each flower fades, the petals drop and a fruit or seedpod forms. When it first forms, the one-half to 1-inch-diameter seedpod is green. Once fully dry, about three to five weeks after pollination, it dies and splits open, exposing the hard black seeds inside. You can cut the seedpod from the amaryllis plant when it is slightly dried and yellow; gently pry open the outer casing, remove the seeds and discard the seedpod.

Planting Amaryllis Seeds

You can plant amaryllis seeds in the autumn after harvesting or save them for planting the following spring. When saving seeds, make sure to keep them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. To start seeds, use a well-draining, sterile seed-starting mix. It's best to moisten the medium before filling the pots, as once in the seed flat, it can be difficult to get the water to penetrate evenly without disturbing the seeds. Amaryllis seeds should be planted one-fourth to one-half inches deep and kept at 70 degrees Fahrenheit during germination. Keep the seeds moist for successful germination by watering whenever the soil starts to dry out.

Seedling Care

The seedlings benefit from a general purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer five to six weeks after they germinate and emerge from the soil. After the first application, they need fertilizing once a month through the remainder of the growing season. You can keep the plants indoors for the first season at 60 to 70 F. In spring of the second year, amaryllis seedlings are ready to plant out in the garden or pot up in pots 1 to 2 inches larger than the starter pots.