When it’s cold and dark outside, nothing brightens up a windowsill or a holiday table quite like a radiant white Amaryllis (also known as *Hippeastrum*). These white varieties are absolute showstoppers—they look like little ice queens blooming in the snow. If you want to bring some of that winter magic into your home, here are my favorite varieties and some pro tips on how to keep them blooming year after year.
White Amaryllis: The Epitome of Elegance
White Amaryllis are all about that crisp, clean look. They provide a stunning contrast to sparkly holiday decor or their bright red cousins. Here are a few of the most gorgeous white varieties you should keep an eye out for:
- ‘Alfresco’: This one is a total classic. It’s incredibly lush with full, snowy-white double blooms. It usually stands about 20 to 24 inches tall.
- ‘Ampute’: If you prefer a simpler look, this variety features elegant, trumpet-shaped single flowers and stays a bit more compact at 12 to 16 inches.
- ‘Antarctica’: This is arguably the “whitest” of them all. It’s a fantastic choice for cut flower arrangements and grows to about 20 to 24 inches.
- ‘Jewel’: Not only does this variety have beautiful semi-double blooms, but it also has an amazing, sweet fragrance that will fill your room. It’s a shorter variety, topping out at 12 to 16 inches.
- ‘Marilyn’: For the true romantics out there, this premium variety is a must-have. Just like its Hollywood namesake, it’s a head-turner with ruffled, slightly double petals. It grows up to 20 inches tall.
How to Care for Your White Amaryllis
These subtropical bulbs are a bit unique. Originally from the Andes in Peru, they follow a bit of a “backwards” growth cycle compared to our local plants: they bloom in winter, grow their leaves in summer, and take a nap in the fall. If you follow their natural rhythm, you can enjoy these blooms for years to come.
- Wait to water: After potting your bulb, hold off on the watering until you actually see the flower stalk or buds starting to peek out.
- Bottoms up: Always water your Amaryllis from the bottom by filling the saucer. After a few minutes, pour out any extra water so the bulb doesn’t sit in a puddle.
- Light and warmth: Keep your plant in a bright, warm spot to encourage growth.
- Feed your plant: Once the leaves start growing, start using a liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Keep this up until the end of July.
- Deadheading: Snip off individual wilted flowers as they fade to keep the plant looking tidy.
- The main stem: Only cut the main flower stalk (just above the bulb) once it has completely turned yellow and shriveled up.
- The dry-out phase: In early August, start cutting back on water. By the end of August, the soil should be completely dry.
- The big nap: In mid-September, move your plant to a cool, dark spot (under 60°F/15°C) and carefully trim off the dried leaves.
- Wake-up call: In November, bring your bulb back into the warmth of your living room and repot it in fresh potting soil.
Stick to this routine, and you’ll be rewarded with a fresh explosion of white flowers every holiday season!
Elegant as Cut Flowers
Don’t forget that Amaryllis make incredible cut flowers for vases. A bouquet of pure white blooms is simple, timeless, and sophisticated. If you change the water every three days, they’ll easily stay fresh and beautiful for at least two weeks.
