From our perspective as Amaryllis plants (*Hippeastrum* spp.), our ability to thrive outdoors is dictated almost entirely by temperature. We are native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, which means we have a fundamental need for warmth and a strong aversion to freezing conditions. Our bulbs, which are the core of our being, contain all the stored energy for our magnificent floral displays. When soil temperatures drop below freezing, the water within our cells crystallizes, causing irreparable damage and ultimately causing us to rot away. Therefore, we can only live outdoors year-round in locations where the ground never freezes.
For you, this translates to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map. We require the consistently warm conditions found in zones 8 through 10. In these zones, winter lows typically stay above 10 to 20°F (-12 to -7°C), which is crucial for our survival.
* In zones 8 and 9, a thick layer of protective mulch over our planting bed in the late autumn is often necessary to insulate us from the occasional cold snap. * In zone 10 and warmer parts of zone 9, we can grow as evergreen perennials with little to no winter protection, feeling right at home. * For our friends in zones 7 and colder, you can still enjoy us outdoors, but we must be treated as summer-only guests. You must dig up our bulbs each autumn before the first frost and bring us inside to a cool, dark place to rest dormant until it is warm enough to plant us outside again.
To truly flourish and produce our spectacular blooms, we have specific preferences for our garden home.
* Sunlight: We crave bright, abundant light but appreciate protection from the intense, scorching afternoon sun. A location with morning sun and dappled afternoon shade, or full sun in cooler coastal areas, is perfect for promoting strong growth and preventing our leaf tips from burning.
* Soil and Drainage: This is non-negotiable. We insist on exceptionally well-draining soil. Our bulbs are highly susceptible to rot if left sitting in waterlogged earth. Please plant us in a raised bed or amend the native soil with generous amounts of compost, peat moss, or perlite to ensure water flows away freely. Plant our bulbs with the top third exposed above the soil line; burying us completely invites disease and rot.
Understanding our natural cycle is key to helping us thrive. In suitable zones, our growth begins in early spring as we send up flower stalks followed by long, strap-like leaves. Throughout the spring and summer, we use sunlight to photosynthesize and store energy back in our bulb. This leafy period is critical for replenishing us for next year's bloom. As daylight shortens and temperatures cool in autumn, our leaves will naturally begin to yellow and die back. This signals the start of our dormancy period. Please resist the urge to remove our fading leaves until they are completely brown; they are sending their final energy stores down to the bulb. During our winter dormancy, we require much less water.
