Amaryllis in Zone 9a & 9b
Hippeastrum spp.
Yes, amaryllis grows in zones 9a and 9b and comes back each year. Plant it outside Feb 22–Mar 1.
When to plant amaryllis in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 22–Mar 1 |
| Estimated bloom | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-3 ft.
Before you plant: Amaryllis has a winter-hardiness note for zone 9b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of amaryllis in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Feb 22–Mar 1
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Feb 22–Mar 1
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Feb 22–Mar 1
- Calla LilyFeb 22–Mar 1
Most people meet amaryllis as a bulb in a box at Christmas. It is also a garden plant, in a narrow band of the country.
How amaryllis fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Amaryllis takes about 1 growing season to reach full flowering, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Amaryllis is hardy in zones 7-10, so in zone 9b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 1 ft of spread at maturity.
Amaryllis planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 17–Apr 24 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Apr 1–Apr 8 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | Not usually | Feb 22–Mar 1 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Feb 6–Feb 13 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for amaryllis.
Where to buy amaryllis bulbs
We haven't vetted bulb/tuber suppliers yet. Our seed-supplier list below doesn't carry these. The growing-guide source cited above is a good starting point for where to buy.
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing amaryllis" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Amaryllis in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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