DIY Life

Go ahead. Admire this gorgeous flower I grew last Spring. Just let me confess upfront, however, that growing it required zero green thumbs. Okay, I provided water, but that's it. In fact, I found the plant abandoned (still in its pot) on the side of the road. True! That was last winter and maybe the owners thought it was dead. But, no, it was just sleeping.

What you're seeing is an Amaryllis (Hippeastrum). The Amaryllis is a bulb that's easy for beginner gardeners to grow, producing enormous blooms like this one. Each bulb typically costs around $5, which is a steal when you think about it. You can expect to get two super giganto-flowers per bulb. Bear in mind that different varieties produce differently-sized blooms.

Plant your Amaryllis bulbs in a container filled with quality potting soil, leaving the top third exposed. Not sure it's pointing the right way up? Click here for an illustration. Basically, the heavier and hairier side points down. Water your bulb well, place it in a sunny spot, and leave it alone. After around three weeks, you should see it sprout. If you live in the South, your Amaryllis can live outdoors year-round. Those in northern states will have to grow their Amaryllis indoors unless Spring has truly sprung, because warm, sunny weather is essential. A final tip: store unplanted bulbs in the crisper of your refrigerator so that they remain dormant 'till you're ready for planting.