In Ontario, amaryllis is typically sold as an indoor flowering bulb plant in easy to grow kits, available from late fall to early spring. Amaryllis have long been popular plants as they flower easily and produce big and showy trumpet-shaped flowers, which brighten up any dark corner of a room, especially in winter. The flowers can be as large as 15cm/6in and the stems 30-50cm (1-2ft).  In many places, potted amaryllis has replaced the poinsettia as a holiday favourite.  It is also a unique way to compliment your Valentine's proud, bewitching beauty.

Amaryllis potted gift kits are the best way to grow beautiful Amaryllis.  Cheaper kits often have young bulbs that will produce just one flowering stem. More expensive kits often have larger bulbs that will produce two flowering stems, or offer a more exotic selection of varieties. Either way, the bulb in your potted gift kit, has been specially prepared to bloom within a few weeks of planting. Kits generally contain 1) a bulb, 2) a container or pot and 3) potting mix.

It is important to moisten the mix thoroughly before planting your bulb. These are usually peat-based mixes that are difficult to get wet. Empty the mix into a large plastic bag, or small bucket. Then add water slowly, a little at a time, while stirring the mix continuously with a stick.  Make sure mix is moist and not too wet. Once the water has been absorbed (leaving the mix overnight helps) it will be easier to plant the amaryllis bulb.

Plant the bulb so that the neck is pointing upwards. The neck, and about 1/3 to 1/2 of the bulb should be exposed. The soil should be tamped down firmly so that the bulb is steady.  At this point, water lightly (moist soil stage) as the bulb does not yet have any roots and will rot with excessive moisture. Once the flowering stem emerges, increase the amount of water but be careful not to get any into the neck of the bulb.

Keep the plant at room temperature around 20 C (64 F) and in a bright location. Water and feed generously during the growing and flowering period. Amaryllis bulb flowers usually last 5-6 weeks given the right conditions.  The flowers are heavy on the hollow stems so the plant may require staking as the blooms open.

If you want the bulb to flower again, keep on watering and feeding the plant for about six weeks after flowering, then reduce the watering until September, when you stop watering all together.  Let the leaves die back then put the plant somewhere dry and frost free. In the spring the bulb will put forth new shoots.  Once this happens, move to a bright location and resume feeding and watering.