7 Beautiful Ways to Display Amaryllis Bulbs Before They Flower – And Make the Most of Their Sculptural Shapes

While the bright red blooms of amaryllis may be what we all patiently anticipate, there is beauty in the bulbs yet to flower – and styling them with their tall green stems on show shouldn't be overlooked.

If you planted amaryllis bulbs for a festive display, don't wait until they bloom to put them out. You can display amaryllis bulbs before they flower in so many beautiful ways, celebrating each stage of their growth. From kokedama to rustic vessels, putting amaryllis shoots on display makes it all the more exciting to watch them grow taller and eventually burst open with vibrant color.

Plus, the impressive height of amaryllis stems (typically 12-24") can bring structure to living centerpieces, especially when paired with other indoor bulbs like paperwhites (which you can pick up from Walmart). Here, we look at seven of the most elegant styling ideas for the holiday season.

1. Use a Clear Vase

One of the easiest ways to force bulbs indoors is with a special bulb forcing vase (like this from Amazon). It holds the bulbs above a water reservoir where the roots grow.

The best part is these vases are usually clear glass (you can even get a green amaryllis bulb vase from Amazon for extra color), so you can observe root growth. Having a few lined up on a windowsill is effortlessly impressive.

Alternatively, you can recreate the styling in the image above by planting your amaryllis bulb in a clear vase (like this oval glass vase from Wayfair). Moss can be added to provide moisture-retention and for an aesthetic finish.

In whatever case, the transparent vessel offers a look beneath the surface while your amaryllis is growing.

2. Kokedama Style

Kokedama is a Japanese tradition of growing plants in a moss ball, typically used as a hanging basket alternative, though you can also display them atop a table surface.

By wrapping your amaryllis bulbs in moss (which you can order from Walmart) and following the steps to make kokedama, you can instantly make your amaryllis look more interesting.

Take it a step further by hanging your amaryllis kokedama from the ceiling above your dining table or in bright windows, which will support blooming. Mixing in festive kokedama using other popular holiday plants (like this poinsettia from Walmart) will offer an even more breathtaking display.

3. Style Up Waxed Bulbs

The joy of waxed amaryllis bulbs is that they're super low-maintenance and don't need any watering to grow. The wax holds in moisture, so you can simply set it up and enjoy the blooms open up.

While it is effortlessly beautiful to simply position your waxed amaryllis bulbs (which you can purchase from Walmart) on a coffee table, shelf, or elsewhere, adding some decorative touches can bring the display to life.

One idea is using wood slice centerpieces (like these from Amazon) to place the bulbs at different heights. Add some fairy lights and foraged moss, foliage, and pinecones to create a dreamy woodland display.

4. Group Terracotta Pots

Festive bulbs in rustic pots is timelessly sophisticated and super easy. You simply have to plant your bulbs in a selection of clay and terracotta planters – mixing different tones often makes the most impressive display.

You can then arrange your different pots together for an en masse display, whether as a centerpiece or in your living room as living Christmas decor.

When growing amaryllis in pots like this, use moss on the surface level to bring the look together, as well as lock in moisture for healthy growth.

5. Repurpose Vintage Ceramics

An alternative to amaryllis bulbs in terracotta pots is planting them in a range of vintage ceramics.

You can repurpose thrifted vessels, kitchen pots, old decorative tins, and more. I love the range of vintage-style floral pots on Amazon which would naturally slot into this look.

Once again, mixing planter heights can help create a more curated look. You could also place different bulbs in different spots around your home to tie your decor together.

6. Pair with Paperwhites

When it comes to the best bulbs for Christmas flowering, paperwhites tend to bloom much sooner than amaryllis. When paired together, this offers a successional display through the holiday season and beyond.

You can simply arrange your potted paperwhites among your potted amaryllis bulbs. The result will be dainty white blooms among tall amaryllis stems getting ready for their moment to flower. Once the paperwhites finish, you'll still have the showy amaryllis flowers to enjoy.

If you want them to bloom at the same time, a bit of pre-planning is required. You can stagger their planting by first planting amaryllis bulbs 6-8 weeks before your desired bloom period and paperwhites 3-4 weeks before.

7. Add Companion Plants

To make your non-blooming amaryllis shoots more interesting, plant them up with accompanying, textural companions.

Some of the best choices include moss, ferns, ivy, and cyclamen, which are low-growing and typically start to flower before amaryllis and right through to early spring.

You can even use the thriller, spiller, filler container method for an abundant arrangement, with the amaryllis being the showstopper thriller and surrounding plants offering a green foundation.

Find indoor cyclamen at Walmart.

What to Shop

These are just a few ideas to incorporate amaryllis bulbs into your festive floral centerpiece, but there are plenty of other possibilities for these holiday staples.

Towards the end of your amaryllis' display this year, don't forget to read up on when to cut back amaryllis and how to store amaryllis bulbs to plant again next year.

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