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Waxed amaryllis bulbs are coated to retain the water and nutrients they need to flower, so they can grow without watering, soil or a pot. Edinburgh retailer grow urban said sales rose by more than 500% between Christmas 2024 and Christmas 2025; the bulbs still need a bright position and are toxic to cats and dogs.
Waxed amaryllis bulbs can flower without water, soil or a pot, offering a low-maintenance option for a Christmas display. Ideal Home reports that Edinburgh retailer grow urban recorded a sales increase of more than 500% between Christmas 2024 and Christmas 2025, a figure the retailer says reflects growing interest in the bulbs.
A waxed amaryllis is a bulb covered in a decorative layer of wax. The bulb retains the water and nutrients it needs to flower beneath that coating, according to Jo Lambell, founder of houseplant retailer Beards & Daisies. That means owners do not need to water it or supply compost and a container, unlike a conventional amaryllis bulb grown in soil.
Care is limited but not entirely absent. Lambell recommends placing the bulb in a bright spot away from radiators. A warmer position can speed growth, she said, while a cooler room can help the flowers last longer. She also advises turning the bulb every few days because the stem leans towards the light.
Graham Savage, grow urban’s founder, described the plant’s development as visible over several weeks: green stems emerge before the large blooms open. The report says the display lasts longer than cut flowers, though it gives no specific flowering or display duration. Amaryllis is toxic to cats and dogs, Lambell warned, so the bulb should be kept where pets cannot reach it.
A Seasonal Display With Less Daily Care
The appeal is practical: waxed bulbs offer a flowering seasonal plant without routine watering, soil or a pot. That may suit people who want a festive indoor display but have limited time or experience with houseplants. The plant also changes as it grows, unlike a static decoration, and can last longer than cut flowers, according to the Ideal Home report.
The sales figure suggests rising demand at one Edinburgh retailer, but it should be read as a company-specific report, not evidence of a nationwide trend. The source does not provide sales totals, the exact measurement method or figures from other sellers. The plant’s minimal care needs also do not remove the need to position it thoughtfully, particularly in homes with pets.
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How the Waxed Bulb Works
Ordinary amaryllis bulbs are typically planted in compost and watered as they grow. Waxed versions are prepared for display with a sealed coating intended to hold the bulb’s stored moisture and nutrients. The report says the owner can place the bulb in a bright location and wait for growth, rather than choosing a pot or managing watering.
Retailers sell waxed bulbs in a range of finishes, including coloured and patterned coatings. Ideal Home presents them as a potential Christmas gift as well as a seasonal decoration. Its cited sales comparison runs from Christmas 2024 to Christmas 2025; no longer-term sales history or independent market data is included.
“The wax coating seals in all the water and nutrients the bulb needs to flower, so you genuinely don’t water it. You don’t need a pot or compost either.”
— Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies
Limits of the Sales and Care Claims
The reported increase of more than 500% comes from grow urban and covers its sales between two Christmas periods. The report does not state the starting or ending sales totals, explain how the increase was calculated, or establish whether other retailers saw similar growth. It is evidence of a change at that retailer, not a complete measure of consumer demand.
The source also does not specify how long a particular bulb will take to flower, how long its blooms will last, or whether every bulb will flower under the same conditions. It gives no instructions for what to do with the bulb after flowering, including whether it can be reused. Buyers should follow any care information supplied with the product.
What Buyers Should Check Before Purchase
Anyone considering a waxed amaryllis can check with the seller for product-specific guidance on expected flowering time, display life and care after the blooms fade. The report does not identify a next sales update or a wider industry forecast, so further market developments remain unreported.
At home, the cited advice is to give the bulb a bright position, keep it away from radiators and turn it every few days to limit leaning. Households with cats or dogs should place it out of reach because amaryllis is toxic to both.
Key Questions
Does a waxed amaryllis need watering?
No routine watering is needed, according to Jo Lambell of Beards & Daisies. She says the wax coating seals in the water and nutrients required for flowering.
Does the bulb need soil or a pot?
No. The waxed bulb is sold ready for display and can grow without compost or a pot, according to the report.
Where should I put a waxed amaryllis?
Lambell recommends a bright spot away from radiators. She says warmth can speed growth, while cooler conditions can help the flowers last longer; turning the bulb every few days can help keep the stem straighter.
Is a waxed amaryllis safe around pets?
No. The report says amaryllis is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant out of their reach.
What does the reported 500% sales rise mean?
It is a figure attributed to Edinburgh retailer grow urban for sales between Christmas 2024 and Christmas 2025. The report does not provide sales totals or data from other retailers, so it cannot establish a market-wide increase.
Source: rss
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