Amaryllis are among the most dramatic bulb flowers grown by home gardeners, celebrated for their enormous, trumpet-shaped blooms that unfurl atop tall, sturdy stems, often just in time to brighten homes during the winter holiday season. Most of the amaryllis sold and grown today actually belong to the genus Hippeastrum, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, though the name amaryllis has stuck in popular use since the two genera were closely linked in early plant classification. Decades of breeding, much of it centered in the Netherlands and South Africa, have produced an astonishing range of Types of Amaryllis, varying widely in flower form, color, size, and bloom timing, from classic solid reds and whites to intricate picotee edges and unusual green-throated varieties. Their outsized blooms, often reaching six to ten inches across, make them one of the most visually striking flowering bulbs available to gardeners.
Amaryllis bulbs are generally grouped by flower form into single-flowered, double-flowered, miniature, and species or botanical types, each offering a distinct look and growth habit. Single-flowered varieties produce the classic six-petaled trumpet bloom most commonly associated with amaryllis, while double-flowered types produce layered, ruffled petals that give the bloom a fuller, more rose-like appearance. Miniature varieties, often derived from smaller species crosses, produce more compact plants with proportionally smaller blooms, while botanical or species types retain characteristics closer to their wild South American ancestors, often featuring narrower, more elegant, spider-like petals. Bulb size itself is also a meaningful indicator of bloom performance, with larger bulbs, often twenty-six to thirty-two centimeters or more in circumference, typically producing multiple flower stalks and a greater total number of blooms per bulb.
Amaryllis are relatively easy to grow, whether planted in the garden in warm, frost-free climates or grown indoors in pots, where they are especially popular for forcing into bloom during the winter months. A healthy, mature bulb planted in well-draining potting mix, with about a third of the bulb left exposed above the soil line, typically sends up a flower stalk within six to eight weeks under warm, bright conditions, often before the strap-like foliage even fully develops. Because the bulb stores substantial energy reserves, amaryllis can produce two or more flower stalks per bulb in a single bloom cycle, with each stalk typically bearing two to six individual blooms depending on the variety.
The remarkable diversity of amaryllis available today reflects a long history of hybridization aimed at producing bigger blooms, sturdier stems, extended flowering periods, and an ever-widening palette of colors and patterns, including bicolors, picotees, and striped varieties. This guide profiles fifty types of amaryllis, noting their origin and typical statistics such as bloom size, stem height, and number of blooms per stalk where available, to help gardeners choose the right varieties for holiday forcing, indoor container growing, or warm-climate garden planting.
Also Read: How To Grow And Care For Amaryllis Flowers
Types of Amaryllis And Their Identifying Characteristics
1. Red Lion
Red Lion is one of the most widely recognized amaryllis varieties, producing large, velvety deep red blooms typically measuring eight to ten inches across on sturdy stems reaching twenty to twenty-four inches tall. Developed in the Netherlands, a major center of amaryllis breeding, it typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms per stalk. Its bold, saturated color and reliable performance have made it one of the best-selling amaryllis varieties for holiday forcing worldwide.
2. Apple Blossom
Apple Blossom features soft, blush-pink blooms with white centers, resembling the delicate coloring of its namesake flower, with blooms typically six to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Bred in the Netherlands, it generally produces two stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its gentle, romantic coloring has made it one of the most popular soft-toned amaryllis varieties for both gifting and home display.
3. Minerva
Minerva is a striking bicolor variety featuring bright red petals with a white star pattern radiating from the center, with blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems twenty to twenty-two inches tall. Originating from Dutch breeding programs, it typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its bold, high-contrast pattern makes it one of the most visually dramatic and widely grown amaryllis varieties.
4. Picotee
Picotee is known for its striking white petals edged in a thin, crisp red line, with blooms typically six to seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. This distinctive edging trait, developed through selective Dutch breeding, gives the variety its name, derived from the French term for a delicately trimmed edge. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms, and remains a favorite for its refined, elegant appearance.
5. Christmas Gift
Christmas Gift produces pure white blooms with a faint greenish throat, typically measuring six to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Bred specifically with holiday forcing in mind, it reliably blooms within the traditional six-to-eight-week forcing window from a dormant bulb. Its clean, classic white color and dependable timing have made it one of the most popular amaryllis varieties for Christmas display.
6. Star of Holland
Star of Holland is a bicolor variety featuring red petals with a distinct white star pattern at the center, producing blooms typically seven inches across on stems twenty inches tall. Originating in the Netherlands, as its name suggests, it typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its striking star pattern makes it a popular alternative to the similarly patterned Minerva variety.
7. White Christmas
White Christmas produces large, pure white blooms with a subtle green throat, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty-two inches tall. Bred for reliable holiday performance, it generally flowers within the standard six-to-eight-week forcing period. Its crisp white color and dependable bloom timing make it a staple variety for winter indoor displays.
8. Susan
Susan is a vivid orange-red variety producing blooms typically seven to eight inches across on sturdy stems twenty to twenty-two inches tall, developed through Dutch breeding programs. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its warm, fiery coloring makes it a popular choice for gardeners seeking a bold alternative to classic red varieties.
9. Charisma
Charisma features a distinctive bicolor pattern of white petals brushed with rose-pink streaks, with blooms typically seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Bred in the Netherlands, it generally produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its soft, painterly coloring sets it apart from more solidly colored amaryllis varieties.
10. Dancing Queen
Dancing Queen is a double-flowered variety featuring ruffled, layered red-and-white striped petals, with blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its fully double form, developed through selective breeding, gives it a fuller, more rose-like appearance than single-flowered types. Its bold striped pattern and ruffled texture make it a popular novelty choice for holiday displays.
11. Double Dragon
Double Dragon produces fully double, deep red blooms with a layered, peony-like appearance, typically measuring seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its dense, ruffled petal structure distinguishes it clearly from single-flowered red varieties like Red Lion. Its dramatic, textured form has made it popular among gardeners seeking a more elaborate amaryllis bloom.
12. Exposure
Exposure is a bicolor variety featuring white petals edged in a soft, blended pink-red border, with blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems twenty inches tall. Developed in the Netherlands, it typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its soft, gradient-edged coloring gives it a slightly different visual effect than the crisper lines seen in Picotee.
13. Ferrari
Ferrari produces vivid, deep scarlet-red blooms typically eight inches across on strong stems twenty to twenty-two inches tall, named for its bold, high-gloss color reminiscent of the sports car brand. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its rich, saturated red has made it a popular high-impact alternative to Red Lion.
14. Flamenco Queen
Flamenco Queen is a double-flowered variety with ruffled, deep red petals arranged in a full, rose-like form, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its dramatic, layered petal structure gives it a particularly festive, dance-inspired appearance suited to its name. Its bold color and full form make it a popular choice for eye-catching holiday centerpieces.
15. Gervase
Gervase features soft salmon-pink blooms with a subtle darker central vein pattern, typically measuring seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Bred in the Netherlands, it generally produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its gentle, warm coloring makes it a popular choice for soft, muted floral display palettes.
16. Grand Diva
Grand Diva is a fully double variety producing rich burgundy-red, ruffled blooms typically seven to eight inches across on sturdy stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its dense, layered petal form gives it one of the fuller, more dramatic appearances among double amaryllis types. Its deep, rich color makes it especially popular for formal winter arrangements.
17. Lady Jane
Lady Jane is a double-flowered variety featuring soft salmon-pink, ruffled blooms typically seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its full, peony-like form combined with its gentle coloring has made it one of the most popular double amaryllis varieties for gift-giving. It typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms per stalk.
18. Las Vegas
Las Vegas features bold red-and-white striped petals in a single flower form, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its vivid, high-contrast striping makes it one of the more eye-catching bicolor varieties available. Its bold pattern has made it a popular choice for festive holiday displays.
19. Liberty
Liberty produces deep, velvety red blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall, developed through Dutch breeding programs. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its rich, classic red coloring makes it a dependable alternative to more widely known red varieties like Red Lion.
20. Magic Green
Magic Green is a striking variety featuring pale, chartreuse-green blooms with a subtle white edge, typically measuring six to seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its unusual green coloring, uncommon among amaryllis varieties, has made it especially popular among floral designers seeking unconventional palettes. It typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each.
21. Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc produces pure white blooms with a soft green throat, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall, named for its resemblance to the snow-capped peak. Bred in the Netherlands, it generally produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its crisp white color and dependable performance make it a popular choice for elegant winter displays.
22. Nagano
Nagano is a double-flowered variety featuring soft pink, ruffled petals with darker pink veining, typically measuring seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its full, layered form gives it a particularly lush, romantic appearance among double amaryllis types. Its gentle coloring and full bloom make it a popular gifting variety.
23. Nymph
Nymph is a fully double variety producing soft, creamy white blooms tinged with pale pink, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its delicate, layered petal structure gives it a particularly soft and romantic appearance. Its gentle coloring makes it a popular choice for pastel-themed winter arrangements.
24. Orange Sovereign
Orange Sovereign produces vivid, solid orange blooms typically seven to eight inches across on sturdy stems eighteen to twenty inches tall, one of the most established orange amaryllis cultivars in cultivation. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its long-standing popularity has made it a benchmark variety for solid orange amaryllis types.
25. Papilio
Papilio, sometimes called the butterfly amaryllis, is a species-type variety native to Brazil, producing distinctive greenish-white blooms streaked with deep maroon-red markings, typically measuring five to six inches across on stems sixteen to eighteen inches tall. Unlike many hybridized hooked forms, its petals are more elongated and butterfly-like in shape, giving the variety its common name. Its wild, understated coloring and unusual form make it a favorite among collectors of species amaryllis.
26. Pasadena
Pasadena is a bicolor variety featuring white petals brushed with soft red streaks radiating from the center, typically measuring seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Bred in the Netherlands, it generally produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its soft, painterly pattern gives it a more subdued look compared to bolder striped varieties like Las Vegas.
27. Rilona
Rilona produces warm, salmon-orange blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall, developed through Dutch breeding programs. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its warm, sunset-toned color makes it a popular choice for autumn and winter floral palettes.
28. Royal Velvet
Royal Velvet features deep, velvety burgundy-red blooms with a rich, almost black-red hue at the petal base, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its especially dark, dramatic coloring sets it apart from brighter red varieties like Red Lion or Ferrari. Its regal, deep tone makes it popular for formal and evening-themed displays.
29. Samba
Samba is a bicolor variety featuring bright red-and-white striped petals in a bold, festive pattern, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its vivid, high-energy coloring, reflected in its name, has made it a popular choice for lively holiday arrangements. It typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each.
30. Sonatini
Sonatini is part of a miniature amaryllis line, producing smaller blooms typically four to five inches across on compact stems twelve to fourteen inches tall, well suited to smaller pots and windowsill displays. Its reduced size compared to standard large-flowered types makes it a popular choice for gardeners with limited indoor space. It typically produces multiple smaller flower stalks per bulb, offering a fuller overall display despite its compact size.
31. Sweet Nymph
Sweet Nymph is a fully double, miniature variety producing soft pink, ruffled blooms typically four to five inches across on compact stems twelve to fourteen inches tall. Combining the layered petal form of double varieties with a more compact overall size, it is popular for smaller indoor arrangements. Its gentle coloring and manageable size make it a favorite for gift-giving in smaller pots.
32. Trentino
Trentino produces soft, salmon-pink blooms with a slightly darker central star pattern, typically measuring seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Bred in the Netherlands, it generally produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its gentle, warm coloring makes it a versatile choice for mixed winter floral displays.
33. Yellow Goddess
Yellow Goddess is a rare and highly sought-after variety producing soft, buttery yellow blooms typically six to seven inches across on stems sixteen to eighteen inches tall. True yellow tones are uncommon among amaryllis cultivars, making this variety especially prized by collectors. Its soft golden coloring makes it a standout addition to warm-toned winter arrangements.
34. Benfica
Benfica produces deep, almost black-red blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall, among the darkest red tones available in cultivated amaryllis. Bred in the Netherlands, it typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its striking, near-black depth of color makes it a dramatic choice for bold floral displays.
35. Bogota
Bogota, named for the Colombian capital reflecting the genus’s South American origins, produces vivid red-orange blooms typically seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. It typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its warm, vibrant coloring makes it a popular choice among gardeners seeking a bold, tropical-toned variety.
36. Cherry Nymph
Cherry Nymph is a fully double variety producing rich cherry-red, ruffled blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its dense, layered petal form gives it a particularly full and dramatic appearance among double red varieties. Its bold color and lush form make it a popular festive holiday choice.
37. Dark Red Lion
Dark Red Lion is a deeper-toned selection related to the classic Red Lion variety, producing especially rich, dark red blooms typically eight to nine inches across on stems twenty to twenty-four inches tall. It shares the same reliable two-stalk, three-to-four-bloom-per-stalk performance as its parent variety. Its deeper coloring offers growers an alternative for those seeking an even more intense red tone.
38. Elvas
Elvas produces soft, coral-pink blooms typically seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall, developed through Dutch breeding programs. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its gentle coral tone makes it a versatile choice for warm pastel floral palettes.
39. Emerald
Emerald is a striking variety featuring pale green blooms with white accents, typically measuring six to seven inches across on stems sixteen to eighteen inches tall. Its unusual green coloring places it among the more novel and sought-after amaryllis types for modern floral design. Its subtle, cool tone pairs well with white and cream companion blooms.
40. Fairytale
Fairytale features white petals brushed with soft, watercolor-like pink streaks, typically measuring seven inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Bred in the Netherlands, it generally produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its soft, dreamy pattern has made it a popular choice for romantic and whimsical floral themes.
41. Green Goddess
Green Goddess produces white blooms with a distinctive lime-green star pattern radiating from the throat, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its striking green-and-white combination sets it apart from more traditionally colored amaryllis varieties. Its unusual pattern makes it especially popular among floral designers seeking a fresh, modern look.
42. Hercules
Hercules is a large-flowered red variety producing especially sizable blooms typically eight to nine inches across on strong, thick stems twenty to twenty-four inches tall, named for its impressive scale. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its exceptional bloom size makes it a popular choice for dramatic, statement-making displays.
43. Jewel
Jewel produces rich, ruby-red blooms with a glossy, almost faceted appearance, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its deep, saturated coloring and lustrous petal texture give it a particularly rich, gem-like quality. Its vivid color makes it a popular choice for bold winter floral arrangements.
44. Lemon Star
Lemon Star features pale yellow petals with a subtle darker star pattern at the center, typically measuring six to seven inches across on stems sixteen to eighteen inches tall. Like other yellow-toned amaryllis, its coloring is relatively uncommon among widely available cultivars. Its soft citrus tone makes it a favorite for bright, cheerful winter displays.
45. Limona
Limona produces pale, creamy yellow-green blooms typically six to seven inches across on stems sixteen to eighteen inches tall, offering a subtle, understated alternative to more vividly colored varieties. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its soft, muted coloring makes it especially popular in minimalist and modern floral design.
46. Minerva Star
Minerva Star is a closely related selection to the classic Minerva variety, sharing its bold red-and-white star pattern but with a slightly larger bloom, typically measuring eight inches across on stems twenty to twenty-two inches tall. It typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its enhanced bloom size offers growers a slightly more dramatic alternative to the original Minerva.
47. Naughty Lady
Naughty Lady is a double-flowered variety producing deep red, heavily ruffled blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its especially dense, layered petal structure gives it one of the fuller appearances among double red amaryllis types. Its bold color and dramatic form make it a popular choice for eye-catching holiday centerpieces.
48. Red Pearl
Red Pearl produces solid, glossy red blooms typically seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall, valued for its clean, uniform color and lustrous petal finish. It typically produces two flower stalks per bulb, each bearing three to four blooms. Its dependable performance and classic coloring make it a steady favorite among holiday amaryllis varieties.
49. Snow Queen
Snow Queen produces large, pure white blooms typically eight inches across on sturdy stems twenty to twenty-two inches tall, valued for its especially crisp, bright white color. It typically produces two stalks per bulb with three to four blooms each. Its classic, elegant white coloring makes it one of the most popular choices for winter and bridal-themed floral displays.
50. Wedding Dance
Wedding Dance is a double-flowered variety producing soft white, ruffled blooms with a faint blush of pink, typically measuring seven to eight inches across on stems eighteen to twenty inches tall. Its full, layered petal form combined with its soft, romantic coloring have made it a popular choice specifically for wedding and bridal floral arrangements. Its delicate appearance and dependable double form round out its reputation as a favorite among special-occasion amaryllis varieties.