SKU: 1529 Black Pearl Dark Red Blooming Amaryllis Bulb, Great for Winter Forcing!

Plant Features & Growing Information

• Growth Habit: Upright, bulbous perennial producing thick, leafless flowering stalks and long, strap-shaped basal leaves. May enter seasonal dormancy depending on growing conditions.

• Plant Classification: Large-flowering, single-flowered Hippeastrum hybrid in the Amaryllidaceae family.

• Mature Height: Approximately 16–24 inches tall, depending on bulb size and growing conditions.

• Mature Spread: Approximately 8–12 inches per established bulb, with gradual expansion through bulb offsets.

• Growth Rate: Rapid flowering growth after dormancy, followed by continued foliage development.

• Longevity: Long-lived perennial bulb that can grow and rebloom for many years with proper care.

• Bloom Color: Extremely deep burgundy-red to dark wine-red, sometimes appearing nearly black under subdued lighting.

• Flower Texture: Rich, velvety petals with a subtle satin-like or pearlescent sheen.

• Flower Form: Large, single, funnel-shaped to trumpet-shaped blossoms with six broad, overlapping petal-like segments.

• Flower Size: Approximately 6–8 inches across under favorable growing conditions.

• Flowers Per Stem: Commonly 3–4 blossoms per flowering stalk, although the number may vary.

• Flowering Stems: Mature, healthy bulbs may produce one or more sturdy flowering stalks.

• Bloom Time: Typically winter through early spring when grown indoors. Outdoor plants generally bloom during spring in suitable warm climates.

• Indoor Bloom Timing: Prepared bulbs commonly flower approximately 6–10 weeks after planting, depending on bulb preparation, temperature, and growing conditions.

• Bloom Duration: Individual flowers may last approximately 5–10 days, while multiple blossoms and flowering stems can extend the overall display for several weeks.

• Fragrance: Generally considered lightly fragrant or without a noticeable scent. Primarily grown for its dramatic flower color rather than fragrance.

• Foliage: Long, glossy, strap-shaped green leaves that develop from the bulb and help replenish energy reserves after flowering.

• Winter Habit: Tender perennial bulb that requires protection from freezing temperatures.

• Dormancy: May enter a rest period after active growth, particularly when watering is reduced to encourage a controlled indoor flowering cycle.

• Fruit Flavor: Not grown for edible fruit. Pollinated flowers may produce dry seed capsules, but these have no culinary fruit flavor.

• Culinary Uses: None recommended. All parts of amaryllis contain potentially harmful alkaloids and should not be consumed.

• Medicinal Uses: Certain compounds found in the Amaryllidaceae family have been investigated for pharmaceutical applications, but Black Pearl has no established safe home medicinal use. Do not consume or prepare any part of the plant for medicinal purposes.

• Possible Toxicity to Pets: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested. Amaryllis contains alkaloids, including lycorine, with the bulbs generally presenting the greatest risk.

• Pet Toxicity Symptoms: Possible symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Large ingestions may cause more serious symptoms.

• Possible Toxicity to Humans: Harmful if ingested, especially the bulb. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

• Skin Irritation: Plant sap may irritate sensitive skin. Wearing gardening gloves when handling bulbs or pruning flower stalks is recommended.

• Deer Resistance: Generally good. Deer tend to avoid amaryllis because of its naturally toxic compounds, although no plant is completely deer-proof.

• Rabbit Resistance: Generally good. Rabbits typically avoid amaryllis foliage and bulbs, but occasional browsing is possible.

• Rodent Resistance: Moderate. Amaryllis bulbs are not typically preferred food sources, although rodents may occasionally disturb planted bulbs.

• Pollinator Value: Outdoor flowers may attract bees and other pollinating insects when grown in suitable climates.

• Pest Resistance: Generally good, although mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, bulb mites, and narcissus bulb flies may occasionally cause problems.

• Disease Concerns: Potential diseases include red blotch, fungal leaf spots, and bulb rot, especially when bulbs are overwatered or planted in poorly drained soil.

• USDA Planting Zones: Best suited for outdoor perennial cultivation in USDA Zones 9–11, with possible success in protected Zone 8 locations. In colder climates, grow in containers and bring indoors before frost.

• Cold Tolerance: Not frost-hardy. Freezing temperatures can damage foliage and bulbs.

• Sun Preferences: Full sun to partial shade outdoors, with protection from intense afternoon sun in hot climates.

• Indoor Light Preferences: Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal during flowering. Stronger light after blooming supports healthy leaf growth and bulb development.

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established, but actively growing plants require consistent moisture. Bulbs are highly susceptible to rot in waterlogged soil.

• Water Requirements: Water moderately during active growth, allowing the upper soil surface to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering during dormancy.

• Soil Preferences: Fertile, loose, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.

• Soil Adaptability: Performs well in sandy and loamy soils, provided drainage is excellent.

• Soil pH: Adaptable to slightly acidic, neutral, and slightly alkaline soil.

• Cut Flower Uses: Excellent. Its dramatic, dark burgundy blossoms create luxurious floral arrangements and sophisticated seasonal bouquets.

• Landscape Uses: Ideal for warm-climate garden borders, tropical gardens, patio containers, decorative planters, indoor displays, and cutting gardens.

When & How to Prune

• During Flowering: Remove individual spent blossoms as they fade to maintain a neat appearance and prevent unnecessary seed production.

• After Flowering: Once all blossoms on a flowering stalk have faded, cut the stalk approximately 1–2 inches above the bulb, taking care not to damage emerging leaves.

• Foliage Care: Do not remove healthy green leaves after flowering. The foliage produces energy needed for future blooms.

• Spring and Summer: Allow leaves to continue growing throughout the active growing season. Remove only damaged, yellow, or diseased foliage.

• Preparing for Dormancy: If inducing a controlled rest period for indoor reblooming, gradually reduce watering after the bulb has completed an extended period of active growth.

• Natural Dieback: Remove foliage only after it has completely yellowed or dried. Do not force healthy leaves to die back prematurely.

• Fall: Inspect plants for damaged foliage and remove dead plant material before moving containers indoors.

• Winter: Remove dead leaves as needed. No extensive pruning is required.

Planting Instructions from Amaryllis Bulbs into the Ground

• Best Planting Time: Plant outdoors in spring after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed. In frost-free climates, bulbs may also be planted during other mild periods of the year.

• Recommended Climate: Outdoor planting is best in USDA Zones 9–11. Zone 8 gardeners may succeed in sheltered, well-drained locations with winter protection, but freezing weather can damage bulbs.

• Colder Climates: In USDA Zones 7 and below, grow Black Pearl in containers that can be moved indoors before freezing temperatures arrive.

• Choose a Planting Location: Select a sheltered garden area with excellent drainage and protection from strong winds.

• Sunlight: Provide morning sunlight with light afternoon shade in hot climates. In milder conditions, full sun to partial shade is suitable.

• Spacing: Space bulbs approximately 10–12 inches apart to allow adequate room for foliage and bulb development.

• Planting Depth: Plant shallowly, leaving approximately the upper one-third to one-half of the bulb exposed above the soil surface, with the basal plate and roots securely beneath the soil.

• Prepare the Soil: Loosen soil approximately 8–12 inches deep, removing weeds, rocks, and compacted material.

• Improve Drainage: Incorporate compost and suitable drainage-improving materials where needed. In heavy clay soils, consider planting in raised beds.

• Identify the Bulb Orientation: Amaryllis bulbs have a pointed neck and a broad, flattened basal plate where roots develop.

• Position the Bulb: Place each bulb with the pointed neck facing upward and the basal plate facing downward.

• Protect Existing Roots: If the bulb already has roots, spread them gently into the planting hole without bending or breaking them unnecessarily.

• Backfill Carefully: Fill soil around the lower portion of the bulb, leaving the neck and upper shoulders exposed.

• Firm the Soil: Gently press the soil around the roots to eliminate large air pockets while avoiding excessive compaction.

• Water After Planting: Water thoroughly to settle the soil, then allow the surface to begin drying before watering again.

• Avoid Overwatering: Do not keep newly planted bulbs constantly wet, especially before active growth begins.

• Mulching: Apply a light layer of organic mulch around the planting area, keeping mulch away from the exposed bulb neck to reduce rot risk.

• Support Flowering Stems: If large flowers become top-heavy, use a discreet plant stake to support the stalk.

• Flowering: Depending on bulb preparation and planting season, flowering may occur several weeks after planting or during the following natural flowering cycle.

• After Flowering: Remove spent flowering stalks but retain all healthy green foliage.

• Summer Growth: Allow the leaves to continue growing and replenishing the bulb's stored energy.

• Winter Protection: In marginal climates, protect bulbs from frost and excessive winter moisture. Container growing is the safest option where freezing weather is expected.

Fertilizing Black Pearl Amaryllis

• At Planting: Incorporate compost into the planting area and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer if soil fertility is low.

• Avoid Direct Contact: Do not place concentrated fertilizer directly against the bulb.

• During Active Growth: Apply a balanced fertilizer according to label directions while leaves are actively growing.

• After Flowering: Continue light fertilization during foliage growth to help replenish the bulb's energy reserves.

• During Dormancy: Stop fertilizing while the bulb is resting.

• Avoid Excess Nitrogen: Excessive nitrogen can encourage foliage growth at the expense of flowering.

• Water After Fertilizing: Water appropriately after applying granular fertilizer to help nutrients move into the root zone.

Overwintering & Seasonal Care

• USDA Zones 9–11: Black Pearl can generally remain outdoors year-round in well-drained soil, provided temperatures remain above damaging frost levels.

• USDA Zone 8: Outdoor overwintering may be possible in sheltered locations with suitable mulch and excellent drainage, but protection is not guaranteed during hard freezes.

• USDA Zones 7 and Colder: Lift bulbs before frost or grow in containers that can be brought indoors for winter.

• Spring: Plant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Established bulbs may produce flowering stalks during the natural spring blooming season.

• Summer: Maintain healthy foliage with adequate light, moderate watering, and occasional fertilizer.

• Late Summer to Fall: Reduce watering if preparing the bulb for a controlled indoor dormancy period.

• Indoor Dormancy: If desired for reblooming, allow the bulb to rest in a cool, dry location for approximately 8–10 weeks, avoiding freezing temperatures.

• Restarting Growth: Move the bulb into a warm, bright location and resume watering gradually.

• Winter Flowering: Properly prepared bulbs may produce spectacular dark burgundy blossoms during winter or the holiday season.

• After Indoor Flowering: Remove faded flowering stalks and encourage healthy foliage growth to support future blooms.

Additional Growing Tips

Extraordinary Dark Burgundy Flowers: Black Pearl is admired for its velvety, almost black-maroon blossoms. The flowers display rich wine-red tones and a beautiful satin-like sheen that creates an elegant, dramatic appearance.

Ideal for Holiday Displays: Black Pearl makes a sophisticated alternative to traditional bright red amaryllis. Its dark blossoms pair beautifully with white flowers, evergreen branches, gold accents, and festive decorations.

Large, Showy Blossoms: Mature bulbs may produce multiple flowering stalks, each carrying several large flowers. Choosing healthy, generously sized bulbs helps encourage an impressive display.

Excellent Container Plant: Black Pearl performs beautifully in decorative containers. Use a pot with drainage holes and leave the upper portion of the bulb exposed above the potting mix.

Bright Light Encourages Strong Growth: Provide bright light during active growth. Indoors, rotate containers periodically to encourage upright flowering stalks.

Avoid Overwatering: Excessive moisture is one of the most common causes of amaryllis bulb rot. Allow the upper soil surface to dry slightly between waterings and never leave bulbs sitting in standing water.

Protect from Frost: Black Pearl is a tender amaryllis variety. Gardeners in colder regions should grow bulbs in containers or lift them before freezing weather.

Encourage Repeat Flowering: After blooming, allow healthy leaves to grow for several months with adequate light, moisture, and nutrients. Strong foliage development helps replenish the bulb for future flowering.

Cut Flower Tip: Harvest flower stalks when the first bud begins opening. Place stems in clean water and keep arrangements away from direct heat and strong sunlight.

Allow Bulbs to Multiply: Mature bulbs may gradually produce smaller offsets. These can be separated during an appropriate dormant period and grown individually.

Safety Reminder: All parts of Black Pearl Amaryllis contain potentially toxic compounds, particularly the bulb. Keep bulbs and plants away from children and pets likely to chew or ingest them.