A Little Winter Magic Starts With a Bulb

How to grow beautiful amaryllis and paperwhites indoors this holiday season—and support a little boy's big future along the way.

There's something about a bright red flower sitting in the window when everything outside has turned gray.

The garden is asleep. The trees are bare. By late afternoon, it already feels like evening.

And then there's this enormous, beautiful flower showing off like it didn't get the memo that winter arrived.

That's what I love about holiday bulbs.

They bring a little life back into the house when we're missing everything green and blooming outside.

And this year, I have an extra reason to share them.

I'm offering holiday flower bulbs through my Foster the Wild fundraiser, with proceeds helping support my son's future.

Something as simple as growing a flower can help me put a little more toward his education, his first car, or whatever dreams he decides to chase.

And if you happen to get some beautiful flowers out of it, even better.

Explore my Foster the Wild Holiday Bulb Fundraiser

Purchases through this fundraising shop help support my son's future fund.

Meet the flowers that don't mind winter

There are three holiday options I particularly like, and they each have their own personality.

Amaryllis: The one that steals the show

Amaryllis doesn't really do subtle.

It grows a tall green stalk and eventually opens into large, dramatic flowers that look almost too beautiful to be real.

Red, white, and other available colors can make an ordinary windowsill feel like part of the holiday decorations.

And you don't need to be an expert gardener to grow one.

A potted amaryllis generally needs a bright location, occasional watering, and a little patience. Expect roughly 6–8 weeks for flowering, although individual bulbs and growing conditions vary.

One interesting thing about planting an amaryllis is that you don't bury the whole bulb. Leave roughly the upper third to half visible above the potting mix.

It looks a little strange at first, but that's exactly how it's supposed to be.

And unlike many holiday decorations, a healthy potted amaryllis can potentially be saved and encouraged to bloom again another year.

Paperwhites: Little white flowers with a big personality

If amaryllis is the dramatic centerpiece, paperwhites are the cheerful little crowd gathered around it.

They grow clusters of delicate white flowers on tall green stems, and you can grow them in a shallow bowl with pebbles and water.

No elaborate planter required.

Paperwhites are often quicker to bloom than amaryllis, commonly flowering in about 4–6 weeks. Some growing methods and conditions can produce flowers sooner.

There's one thing worth knowing before you fill every windowsill with them.

Paperwhites have a strong fragrance.

Some people love it. Others think it's a little much.

My suggestion? Start with one bowl and see how you feel about the scent before creating an entire indoor paperwhite garden.

Waxed amaryllis: For the person who forgets to water things

Now, this one is interesting.

A waxed amaryllis bulb arrives coated in decorative wax, with enough stored energy and moisture to grow and bloom without being planted in soil.

That's right.

No pot. No watering can. No wondering if you forgot to water it yesterday.

Set it somewhere with bright, indirect light, rotate it occasionally so it doesn't lean too far toward the window, and let it do its thing.

Waxed amaryllis typically flowers in around 4–6 weeks, sometimes sooner.

It makes a lovely seasonal display and a fun gift for someone who enjoys flowers but doesn't particularly enjoy keeping houseplants alive.

Just remember that waxed bulbs are generally treated as single-season displays, unlike potted amaryllis bulbs that can be grown on.

Which holiday bulb should you choose?

You don't have to choose the fanciest arrangement.

Sometimes a single flower in the right spot is enough to brighten the whole room.

A little planning goes a long way

If you're dreaming of flowers for Christmas, here's the part worth paying attention to.

Bulbs grow on their own schedule—not the one on our holiday calendars.

Paperwhites generally flower faster than potted amaryllis, but temperature, the bulb's condition, and when you start growing it can all affect the timing.

If your order arrives in mid-November, paperwhites may have a chance of flowering around the holiday. An amaryllis started at the same time might not open until late December or January.

And that's perfectly fine.

A beautiful flower in January might be just what you need after all the Christmas decorations have come down.

The holiday fundraising shop is open now, with orders shipping in mid-November. Order by December 1 for holiday delivery.

Check the shop for current order deadlines, shipping charges, delivery estimates, and available varieties before purchasing.

Shop the Holiday Bulb Collection

Three little tips for happier indoor flowers

You really don't need an elaborate gardening setup.

Give them the right light. A bright windowsill is helpful, although waxed amaryllis prefers bright, indirect light.

Don't drown the bulbs. Potted amaryllis needs a container with drainage. For paperwhites grown in pebbles, keep water near the base of the bulbs so roots can reach it without leaving the bulbs submerged.

Give them room to grow. Flower stalks tend to lean toward the light. Rotate the container periodically and keep an eye on taller stems.

For detailed planting instructions, I recommend Virginia Cooperative Extension's guide to growing bulbs indoors.

One quick household reminder: amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs can be harmful if eaten by cats or dogs. Keep them away from curious pets and young children.

A flower today. A little something for tomorrow.

Here's the part that means the most to me.

As a mom, I think a lot about the future.

The things I want my son to experience. The opportunities I hope he'll have. The dreams he hasn't even thought of yet.

I can't predict exactly what those dreams will look like.

But I can keep finding ways to build toward them.

That's why I started this fundraiser.

It's not about asking anyone to buy something they don't need. It's about sharing something genuinely beautiful and useful, with an opportunity to support a cause that's close to my heart.

If you were already thinking about holiday flowers, a little winter gardening project, or a thoughtful seasonal gift, I'd love for you to consider shopping through Foster the Wild.

Your purchase helps me grow something for his future, while you grow something beautiful at home.

Visit My Foster the Wild Holiday Fundraiser

And if a flower bulb isn't on your holiday list, sharing the fundraiser with a friend who loves gardening means a lot, too.

Here's to a little color in the middle of winter

The best thing about growing flowers indoors is watching the transformation.

One day, it's just a bulb.

Then a tiny green shoot appears.

A stalk gets taller. A bud begins to open.

And suddenly, you've got a flower brightening a room that was looking pretty dreary a few weeks earlier.

A small reminder that beautiful things can be growing even when we can't see much happening yet.

And I think that's a pretty fitting way to look at the future, too.

Thank you for supporting Foster the Wild, my family, and the little things we're working toward.

Which would you pick for your windowsill—a bold red amaryllis or a cheerful bowl of paperwhites?