Adding plants to your home is one of the best ways to liven up your space and make it feel more inviting. Not only do plants add pops of color and texture, but they also help purify the air. However, finding spots to place potted plants can be tricky, especially in small spaces. This is where hanging plants come in handy! By suspending plants from the ceiling, you can add greenery around your home without taking up precious floor or table space. One of the best hanging plants to try is the amaryllis. With its gorgeous blooms and cascading leaves, this plant is sure to make a stylish statement wherever you hang it.
Why Choose a Hanging Amaryllis Plant
There are many reasons why the amaryllis makes an ideal hanging plant. Here are some of the top benefits of a hanging amaryllis
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Beautiful flowers – The amaryllis produces large, showy blooms in a wide range of stunning colors like ruby red, vibrant pink, pure white, and sunny yellow. These gorgeous flowers will brighten up any space.
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Cascading foliage – In addition to its flowers, the amaryllis has long, trailing leaves that will cascade gracefully from any hanging basket or pot. This adds a lovely dimensional element
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Perfect for small spaces – Hanging the amaryllis helps save space since you don’t need a table or plant stand to display it It’s ideal for studios, apartments, dorms, and more
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Brings height into a room – Suspending the amaryllis plant adds vertical interest to your space, drawing the eye upward. This can make your room feel larger and more open.
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Easy care – The amaryllis is a relatively low-maintenance plant, making it great for beginner gardeners. It needs bright, indirect light and occasional watering.
With all these advantages, it’s easy to see why a hanging amaryllis plant is such a creative way to add greenery and beauty to your home. The stunning blooms and cascading leaves will make a stylish statement in any space.
How to Hang an Amaryllis Plant
If you’re ready to hang an amaryllis in your home, follow these simple steps:
Choose a Container
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Select a pot or hanging basket with drainage holes that is just slightly larger than the bulb. Shallow containers work best.
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Make sure it is lightweight. Heavy pots can fall when suspended.
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For a bohemian vibe, use a macrame or rope hanging planter. Or pick a ceramic pot for a classic look.
Prepare the Soil
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Use a well-draining potting mix. You can make your own by mixing peat moss, perlite, and compost.
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Moisten the soil before adding it to the container. It should be damp but not sopping wet.
Plant the Bulb
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Place the amaryllis bulb in the container with 1/3 above the soil line.
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Pack soil around the bulb, covering the lower 2/3. Leave the top part exposed.
Hang the Planter
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Place your assembled planter in the desired hanging location.
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Use heavy duty hooks and chains so it can support the weight.
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Adjust the chain or rope length as needed to get the right hanging height.
Water and Fertilize
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Water thoroughly after hanging and let excess drain out.
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Mist leaves periodically for humidity. Soak soil when top inch is dry.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer.
Caring for Your Hanging Amaryllis
Once you’ve hung your amaryllis, follow these care tips to keep it thriving:
Provide Bright, Indirect Light
Amaryllis prefers a spot with plenty of sunlight but no direct rays which can scorch leaves. East or west-facing windows are ideal. Rotate the plant occasionally for even growth.
Monitor Watering
Take care not to overwater, as excess moisture can cause bulbs to rot. Let the soil dry out some between waterings. The bulbs are drought-tolerant if soil gets dry.
Watch for Pests
Check often for common amaryllis pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Remove them promptly to prevent spreading. Consider using neem oil.
Stake Stems
As blooms begin to emerge on upright stems, insert stakes to support their weight so they don’t droop. Tie stems loosely to stakes.
Fertilize Regularly
Feed plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks while actively growing and flowering. Dilute fertilizer to avoid burn.
Transition Indoors/Outdoors
Amaryllis can be moved outside in warmer months if desired. Acclimate plants slowly and bring back inside before temps dip below 50°F.
Creative Ways to Style Your Hanging Amaryllis
Once your amaryllis is hanging happily, get creative with how you style it! Here are some fun ideas:
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Hang near a window so it captures natural light beautifully.
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Suspend over a desk or reading nook for an inspiring pop of color as you work.
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Cluster 3-5 mini amaryllis plants for a cascade of blooms and foliage.
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Mix and match with other hanging plant varieties like ivy or pothos.
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Pair your amaryllis with trailing vines like heartleaf philodendron.
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Let the amaryllis be the star and opt for a neutral color pot and simple backdrop.
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Weave fairy lights through the chain for a whimsical glow at night.
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Use it as the focal point above your dining table for a striking centerpiece.
The options are endless when styling your hanging amaryllis plant! Use your creativity to show off its cascading beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hang an amaryllis outside?
In warmer climates, hanging the amaryllis outside is absolutely an option during the growing season. Just be sure to bring it back inside before temperatures start dropping in fall. It needs indoor protection below 50°F.
How often do amaryllis bloom?
Typically amaryllis will bloom once a year, usually in spring. But you can often prompt a second bloom by cutting back the initial flower stalk after flowering, keeping the plant fed and watered, and placing it somewhere cool and dark for 6-8 weeks before returning it to a sunny spot indoors.
Should I cut off the flower stalk after blooming?
Yes, trim off the spent flower stalk back to the bulb, taking care not to damage the foliage. This conserves the plant’s energy so it can focus on producing leaves instead of seeds. Leave the leaves to absorb sunlight.
How do I get an amaryllis to rebloom?
To get an amaryllis to flower again, allow the leaves to fully grow and produce energy through photosynthesis all season long. In late summer, stop watering and cut leaves back to bulb tips. Place in a cool, dark space for 6-8 weeks. Return to warmth and light, water lightly, and it should bloom again in 6-10 weeks. Fertilizing will also encourage rebloom.
What causes limp or drooping leaves in amaryllis?
Drooping leaves are usually a sign of overwatering. Amaryllis prefers soil to dry out between waterings. Drooping can also occur from inadequate light. Rotate the plant and check for pest damage. Stop watering for some time to improve drainage and avoid root rot in wet soil.
Bring Striking Elegance to Your Home With a Hanging Amaryllis
By creatively hanging an amaryllis plant in your home, you can bring striking elegance and vibrant color to your space in a unique way. The graceful dangling leaves and brilliant blossoms are sure to make a statement. Follow the tips above to successfully hang your amaryllis while keeping it healthy and happy in its new location. Get ready to enjoy this visually stunning plant as its flowers fill your home with beauty. Let your creativity run wild as you design the perfect way to showcase your hanging amaryllis plant!
Amaryllis in a Wrapped Flowerpot
Imagine the joy on your gift recipients face when they “unwrap” this ready-to-bloom gift! Start by painting a 6” terracotta rose pot and matching 7” saucer a festive holiday color. Allow plenty of time for them to dry. Fill the pot halfway with dry potting mix and place a dormant amaryllis bulb in the center. Use additional soil to fill in around the bulb leaving the top third of the bulb exposed. Top dress the soil with Spanish moss.
Now, invert the saucer and place it on top of the flowerpot. Crisscross two strong rubber bands around the saucer and pot for security and cover the rubber bands with ribbon of your choice. Keep the pot cool and dry until gift-giving time so that the amaryllis does not break dormancy inside its wrapping. When it’s time to get growing, simply remove the rubber bands, flip the saucer to the bottom of the pot, add water and retie the bow.
A single amaryllis bulb in a pot can look a bit bare until growth emerges. Give it some green companions by planting the bulb with a few easy-care houseplants. Your recipient can enjoy the immediate look of new houseplants until the amaryllis emerges and joins the party.
Since amaryllis need less than 1/2 cup of water per week, pair them with plants that have similar low water needs such as pothos, sansevieria, and philodendron. If you prefer to add heavy drinkers to your bulb garden, leave the houseplants in their original nursery pots so they can be removed and watered separately. You could even sink a moth orchid or cyclamen into the display to create a wow right from the start!
Turn an Amaryllis Bulb Into an Impressive Holiday Gift
Growing amaryllis bulbs is an easy way to brighten cold winter months with spectacular blooms. Giving amaryllis as a gift provides months of enjoyment. Watching the bulbs grow is half the fun, and excitement builds day by day until the buds open to a glorious display of blooms.
While there’s no denying that amaryllis make wonderful gifts, receiving a dormant bulb can be a little underwhelming. Thankfully, with a bit of innovation and a dash of holiday cheer, you can turn those bulbs from drab to fab. Read on for 5 creative ways to gift amaryllis.