How To Plant Amaryllis

Garden World horticulturist JJ van Rensburg answers all your gardening queries

27 March 2015

Reader’s Question
A stranger sold me amaryllis bulbs with the leaves still on the bulbs; he said he bought them at a nursery. I guess the bulbs had finished flowering because their colours were written on the bags in which they were packed. I would like to know if I can plant the bulbs as they are, leaves and all, in the soil, or if I should let the bulbs dry out first and then cut off the leaves. Any advice would be appreciated.

JJ’s Answer
I really hope they are amaryllis – unfortunately, there are many con artists who remove bulbs from any old spot and then try to make money out of them. Plant the bulbs, with their leaves, and hope for the best. Check to see if there is an old soil mark on the stems and plant them at the same depth.

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