Expert: Laura Walker - 11/5/2005

Question
I'd like to plant amaryllis bulbs in a big planter with other house plants - spider plants, pray plants, pothos etc.  On a TV garden show they just planted amaryllis bulbs one to a pot and they said the pot shouldn't be too big does this mean the roots need to be contained to force the blooms?  Does that mean it wouldn't work in a big planter?
Thanks, this looks like a cool service.
Becky

Answer
Becky,
The Amaryllis bulb is a huge bulb and if planted with other plants it should be  in a fairly large pot.I would say at least 10" in diameter.They do fine outdoors in zones 8 to 11.And if you have a good sunny protected spot they can even bloom well in colder zones like my zone 6.I have a customer that grows them under a deep stairway outdoors and tomy surprise they come back and bloom every year! But just to be safe I would bring them indoors for the winter in a pot.Good luck!