Pure white trumpets
A white amaryllis is almost always a Hippeastrum hybrid, sold as a bulb in a pot or wax coating. Varieties such as the double and the simple trumpet types give blooms up to 20 centimetres wide, usually with a faint green throat. The real Amaryllis belladonna comes in pink and, rarely, white, but it belongs to another genus.
What white amaryllis traditionally say
White flowers have long suggested purity and new beginnings, and in the language of flowers amaryllis is also linked to radiant beauty and pride. It is a favourite for modern weddings and as a minimalist cut flower, where one stem in a tall glass is enough.
Growing white amaryllis the Australian way
Hippeastrum bulbs go into the ground from late winter to early autumn, and the flowers come in spring. They suit part shade in warm regions and full sun in cooler ones.
- Choose a firm bulb with no soft patches.
- Free-draining potting mix prevents rot.
- Keep the leaves after the flowers fade to feed next year's bloom.
- Divide crowded clumps in autumn.
Heavy rain on open flowers marks the white petals, so a verandah or sheltered bed keeps them clean.
People searching for a white amaryllis plant
If you saw a bare bulb in a shop, that is normal. The flower stem emerges first, and leaves follow. A good bulb will flower for around two weeks, and as a cut stem it lasts perhaps a week to ten days.
Pet safety around white amaryllis
The ASPCA lists amaryllis as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Keep pots on a high shelf and talk to a vet if any of it has been eaten.
