Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) ‘Aquaro’ is a highly regarded, premium, double-flowering bulb cultivar known for its dramatic, festive appearance. It is a popular choice for indoor, winter, and holiday decorating, often featuring large white flowers with rich pink to raspberry-red stripes or veins.
Characteristics & Appearance
- Flower Type: Fully double, with multiple layers of ruffled petals creating a full, opulent look.
- Coloration: White petals with longitudinal stripes of contrasting, deep raspberry-red or burgundy. The throat is typically a light green.
- Size: The flowers are large, measuring approximately 15–20 cm (6-8 inches) in diameter.
- Stems & Height: Produces strong, sturdy, green flower stems that hold the heavy blooms upright. The mature height ranges from 30–70 cm (roughly 12-24 inches).
- Fragrance: No fragrance.
Growing & Care Requirements
- Type: Indoor, potted bulb (can be grown outdoors in warmer climates).
- Ease of Growth: Easy to grow.
- Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light.
- Watering: Water sparingly when planted; once growth appears, water regularly but allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.
- Planting: Plant with the top 1/3 of the bulb exposed above the soil line.
- Flowering Time: Typically blooms 6–10 weeks after planting.
- Hardiness: Generally tender (hardy in USDA Zones 8-10, but usually grown as an indoor bulb in cooler regions).
Tips for Success
- Bulb Size: Larger bulbs (e.g., 30/32 cm, 32/34 cm) produce more stems and flowers.
- Reblooming: With proper care, ‘Aquaro’ can be forced to bloom again year after year. After blooming, remove dead flowers, keep the leaves growing to feed the bulb, and allow it to go dormant in a cool, dark place for 8-10 weeks in the fall.
- Toxicity: Like all Amaryllis/Hippeastrum plants, ‘Aquaro’ is harmful if ingested and can cause skin/eye irritation, making it important to keep away from pets and children.
Amaryllis ‘Aquaro’ is often sold in the fall and winter, and it makes an ideal holiday gift due to its vibrant, festive coloring.
