17 Amaryllis Varieties for Gorgeous Winter Blooms

Forcing amaryllis bulbs has become one of my favorite ways to pass the winter indoors, away from the garden. There is something magical about how easy they are to care for and how spectacularly they perform with so little assistance. Not to mention, they make the most magnificent centerpiece at Christmas Eve dinner. 

The only problem I have these days is narrowing my search down to one variety. Fortunately for me, these bulbous beauties are perennial in my zone, so I can plant them in the ground in the spring. I get to enjoy them year after year. 

Even if you live in a colder climate, you can store your bulbs over the summer and force them again next winter. With this in mind, those bulbs seem like a worthwhile investment, don’t they? Here are some of my favorite varieties of these easy-care plants with magnificent blooms. 

‘Temptation’

	common name ‘Temptation’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Temptation’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Among the larger flowered amaryllis varieties, ‘Temptation’ is a standout. Dramatic eight-inch blooms command attention and rise tall, up to two feet, which is at the taller end of the genus. It’s known for producing multiple stems and blooming for a long time, sometimes a month or more.

The large, trumpet-shaped flowers have a white foundation with heavy vermilion brushstrokes. A fine mist of red covers the lower petals. The throat is crimson, with a pale green star at the base. 

‘Apricot Parfait’

	common name ‘Apricot Parfait’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Apricot Parfait’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 8-11

Another large amaryllis variety, ‘Apricot Parfait,’ is still spectacular, but it has an elegance not captured by the bolder-hued blooms. The graceful flowers are peaches and cream with a deeper apricot throat, giving them the look of a red variety in muted tones. It’s sweet and soft.

This larger amaryllis grows up to two feet tall. A single bulb can produce more than one large, sturdy stem, prolonging its blooming time. You can keep these bulbs in their container in a cool, dry spot over the summer and bring them back out in the fall to force them again!

‘Double Dragon’

	common name ‘Double Dragon’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Double Dragon’
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

‘Double Dragon’ is a double-petaled masterpiece. The large blossoms can span eight inches in diameter and have a mass of deep red petals in a rosette shape. This swirl of lightly ruffled petals is striking for its form and its fiery red shade with a deep ox bloom throat. 

This is a variety with extra-large flowers. Its coloring makes it especially popular during Christmastime. The large and luxurious heads can last several months as the bulb produces more than one stem. The flowers on each do not open simultaneously, which prolongs the cycle.

‘Rilona’

	common name ‘Rilona’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Rilona’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 8-11

‘Rilona’ is an extra tall amaryllis variety, growing up to 30 inches tall. This makes them an excellent cut flower, though you won’t want to shorten the life of these blossoms. A large bulb will produce two to three stems, each having four to six buds that open in succession. 

The flowers are large (7″) and understated in a soft apricot hue. A deep bronze throat and faint veining add depth. The curving stamens are the same color as the throat, with pale yellow pollen tips. The outside of the petals has a gentle green tint.

‘Sumatra’

	common name ‘Sumatra’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Sumatra’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

‘Sumatra’ is not your average amaryllis variety. It may not be as showy as some larger flowered types, but it has an interesting and artistic flair. The stems are shorter and more stocky than usual, so they stand up well without support. The larger the bulb, the more stems it will produce. This one can produce two or three in a season.

The flowers are medium-sized, about six inches in diameter. Their size isn’t noteworthy, but their form is. Long, thin, spidery petals give this an unusual flair. The bright orange color accented with yellow and green reminds me of a bird of paradise.

‘Exotic Star’

	common name ‘Exotic Star’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Exotic Star’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-12

‘Exotic Star’ is exquisite! The shape and the shades of this variety are breathtaking, and I think they are one of the loveliest types. The blossoms are large with slightly elongated petals. The edges gently ruffle for an elegance that has no few rivals. 

I really love the colors of this variety. The foliage is deep blue-green, and a green overtone washes over the backs of cream-colored petals. On the inside, scarlet brushstrokes add incredible depth and dimension. These are large, and one bulb can produce three stems up to two feet tall.

‘White Nymph’

	common name ‘White Nymph’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘White Nymph’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

If you like extra, extra-large flowers, ‘White Nymph’ is one of the largest around. Their massive, double-petaled, snow-white blossoms can span ten inches across! The creamy petals form a loose rosette with hints of chartreuse deep in the throat of these trumpet-shaped beauties. 

‘White Nymph’ has shorter stems, which is good for supporting those grand blossoms. They also grow and bloom quickly, in only six to ten weeks after planting. These are a great choice if you’ve got a late start and want to see some action before the season passes. 

‘Red Pearl’

	common name ‘Red Pearl’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Red Pearl’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

‘Red Pearl’ boasts tall, slender stems and slightly more delicate blooms at about six inches in diameter. It is also one of the darkest amaryllis varieties. With the smaller blooms, you might expect this to be more of a wall-flower compared to larger types. However, they are anything but that.

The trumpet-shaped flowers are the deepest, darkest, velvety red you can imagine. The throat is nearly burgundy with streaks of the deeper shade painted farther onto each petal, irregularly. The effect is bold and statement-making. These take six to ten weeks to bloom, so you don’t have to wait as long as some of the others.

‘Elvas’

	common name ‘Elvas’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Elvas’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

If you prefer compact amaryllis varieties, ‘Elvas’ is a great selection. The 12″-16″ stems are modest, and the five- to six-inch blooms have a quiet charm. The smaller size means that these bloom in only seven to eight weeks, which is great news if you got a late start on things this year.

‘Elvas’ has creamy white, double-petaled blooms, each with as many as 15 petals. At the edges, each petal has a delicate red picotee, and a barely there blush touches the ends. Fine brushstrokes paint the center ever so lightly. It’s an elegant and understated beauty.

‘Aphrodite’

	common name ‘Aphrodite’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Aphrodite’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Move over poinsettias, this amaryllis boasts some of the largest blooms of them all. At nearly nine inches across, this goddess has earned her spot on Mount Olympus. In spite of its large size, this is one of the fastest growers as well. You will see flowers begin to unfurl in as few as six weeks after planting. 

The giant blossoms are white with a fine scarlet edge. The same red appears misted onto the ends of petals, with a concentration at the tips. A chartreuse throat makes these blooms a Christmas favorite. This variety makes an incredible hostess gift!

‘Orange Souvereign’

	common name ‘Orange Souvereign’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Orange Souvereign’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

This special cultivar won the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. It’s large and strong, with eight-inch blooms and strong, stout stems. This variety is popular and reliable, blooming just six to eight weeks after planting. 

The substantial blooms have a reputation as the finest of the orange amaryllises. They are the most gorgeous shade of salmon, or rather, they are many shades of that hue. A slight shimmer gives dimension and depth to the velvety petals. 

‘Misty’

	common name ‘Misty’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Misty’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

‘Misty’ is demure, with smaller blooms and a more modest height. In spite of its rather average stature and bloom time, it’s a gorgeous cultivar that shares its quiet beauty about eight to ten weeks after planting. A large bulb can produce as many as four stems, which will keep the blooming period nice and long. 

The single-petaled flowers are trumpet-shaped and rose-red with creamy white tips. The color deepens toward the throat and then meets with a pop of pure green at the base. The green washes over the backs of the petals, contrasting wonderfully with the pinkish-red tops. They are also lightly fragrant.

‘Apple Blossom’

	common name ‘Apple Blossom’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Apple Blossom’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

One of the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen, ‘Apple Blossom’ is another Award of Garden Merit amaryllis variety. There is no question as to why; it’s positively stunning. A larger bulb can produce as many as three stems and grow up to 20 inches tall. 

Atop the tall, slender stems sit four to six large, funnel-shaped flowers. The petals are a whirl of creamy white, rose-red, and varying shades of pink. The throat is apple green. They’re truly breathtaking. Introduced in 1954, this is one of the most coveted pink varieties. 

‘Bogota’

	common name ‘Bogota’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Bogota’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

‘Bogota’ is all drama and exotic, tropical flair. The star-shaped blooms may not be the largest, but at five inches across, they certainly still make a statement. The slender petals are shades of orange, from deep bronze to soft apricot. A shockingly dark throat adds even more drama.

This variety has tall stems that stand up nicely, and the flowers are not as heavy as most types. They take a bit longer to bloom, so get an early start. They open in eight to ten weeks.

‘Al Fresco’

	common name ‘Al Fresco’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Al Fresco’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

‘Al Fresco’ is a fancy and flamboyant tropical enchantress with fully double blooms. The six-inch flowers are a mass of snowy petals with ruffled edges and a bright green throat that glows from the base. The stems are stout and strong enough to hold these heavy, dense blooms upright. 

‘Charisma’

	common name ‘Charisma’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Charisma’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

One final Award of Garden Merit winner, ‘Charisma’, has it in spades. The mid-sized plant and flowers take anywhere from six to ten weeks to reach their final stage, rising to about 18 inches tall with six-inch blooms. 

The flowers are a melange of red and white, with white as the foundational color. The upper petals have heavy red brushstrokes, while the lower ones have more sparing streaks. The lower petal is white with a red edge and a fine mist toward the center. 

‘Magnum’

	common name ‘Magnum’
	botanical name Hippeastrum ‘Magnum’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Rounding out my list of favorites is one of the larger varieties. The name; ‘Magnum’ says it all. Tall stems can surpass the usual two-foot mark. The cool blue-green foliage is a perfect complement to the bold red blooms.

The flowers are among the largest, with a single petal form and a trumpet shape. They are the reddest of the red amaryllises. The throat is deep oxblood that spills out onto velvety scarlet petals. You can’t go wrong with this one. It’s simply magnificent!