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Caring for a dormant amaryllis so it blossoms again
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Amaryllis flowers usually appear in winter or spring and last several weeks before fading. Compared to most flowers, amaryllis bulbs easily bloom more than once, but for best results, they require proper treatment year-round to ensure they are developing correctly through each season. In this article, we’ll teach you how to properly care for amaryllis throughout the year so it will bloom again the following winter.
How long do amaryllis blooms last?
Amaryllis blooms last about 3 weeks. To get amaryllis to rebloom, snip off dying blooms and yellow stalks. Once summer arrives, plant it outside and water and fertilize regularly. Bring it back indoors before the first frost of autumn and nip off dead leaves. Store the bulb for 6-8 weeks in a cool, dark area.
Steps
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Snip off each flower as it fades. Once a flower has faded, cut the flower where it meets the main stalk with a clean knife or pair of scissors. Make sure to remove the green lump and thin green stem that attaches the flower to the stalk. This prevents the plant from producing seeds, which requires a lot of energy that should be directed to survival and growth instead. [1] X Research sourceEXPERT TIPHome & Garden SpecialistMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Expect blooms to last a few weeks. Horticulturalist Maggie Moran says, “The bloom typically lasts about 3 weeks for amaryllis, though the blooming period may be slightly longer or shorter depending on the growing conditions and health of the plant.”
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Cut the flower stalks once they yellow or sag. The main stalks contain food and water the plant can use, but they will likely begin to droop or turn yellow shortly after the flowers fade. [2] X Research source Cut them back to within 2 inches (5 cm) of the bulb, as they are no longer useful to the plant.
- Be careful not to cut the leaves or the top of the bulb. Only the flower stalks should be removed.
- Do not be alarmed if sap runs out of the cut. This is normal for a well-watered plant.
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Move the amaryllis to an area with bright indirect light. Most people with amaryllis plants keep them indoors while they bloom in winter. If this is the case, move the plant to a windowsill with indirect sunlight to let it adjust to increased sunlight. Pick a spot that is bright and receives lots of sunlight, but not by direct exposure. [3] X Research source You may skip this step if the plant was already exposed to indirect or full sunlight.
- In the northern hemisphere, north and east-facing windows receive indirect sunlight. In the southern hemisphere, south and east-facing windows do.
- Make sure to keep the plant relatively cool, too, at about room temperature. This is around or slightly warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius).
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Water the soil whenever it begins to dry. Your amaryllis will likely require daily watering unless kept in a humid environment or planted outside in moist soil. [4] X Research source Don't let the soil dry out completely, at least not for longer than a few hours.
- Keep the soil just slightly moist at all times. After growth begins, also fertilize the plant with a half-strength, water-soluble fertilizer every 2 or 3 weeks.
- Continue caring for your amaryllis in this way until the weather is consistently warm, during which you’ll move the plant outside.
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Plant the container outside once summer is underway. Once the last frost has passed and the weather is consistently warm, plant the container outside in a flower bed or garden. Bury it so the rim is at or just above the surface. Select a location that receives full morning light if possible, but is protected from the sun during the hottest part of the day. [5] X Research source
- Depending on your local climate, the weather should be consistently warm in May or June in the northern hemisphere and in December or January in the southern hemisphere.
- Amaryllis plants grow better in containers, which also protect against burrowing animals and insects. Growing them directly in the soil is possible, but will be more difficult.
- The leaves may flop over when the plant is first moved outside, but with proper care, new upright leaves should grow.
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Continue to water regularly. Check the soil daily and water whenever it is dry or almost dry. Water the soil around the plant, not the leaves or bulb. Avoid watering any plants during the hottest part of the day, since the hot water can burn the plant. [6] X Research source
- Keep the soil moist, not soaked. If your soil does not drain properly, the pooling water could rot the roots.
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Fertilize once every two weeks. Make the bulb strong and healthy by applying a balanced fertilizer to the soil every two weeks. Use a soluble houseplant fertilizer and apply according to instructions. Do not apply more than instructed. [7] X Research source
- You should see the plant grow new, darker leaves throughout the summer.
- Continue caring for the amaryllis in this way until the weather cools or the leaves change color. When this happens, the plant is entering its dormant season and you’ll need to bring it inside.
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Reduce watering gradually as the leaves die. The amaryllis should lose its foliage as the summer ends and autumn begins. When this begins to happen, start giving the plant slightly smaller quantities of water, but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. [8] X Research source
- This typically occurs in early autumn. Expect the leaves to change color in August or September if you live in the northern hemisphere, or March or April if you live in the southern hemisphere.
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Snip off the dead leaves. Trim the yellow or brown leaves once they have withered by cutting them off next to the neck of the bulb. Allow living green leaves to remain on the plant. [9] X Research source
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Bring the plant to a cool indoor area before the first frost. Once the weather is cooler and most of the leaves have died, bring the amaryllis indoors. Place the pot in a cool, dark area between 40 and 50ºF (5–10ºC), like a basement. If you do not have a suitable area for a pot, carefully remove the bulb and roots from the soil and place it in the crisper (vegetable drawer) of a refrigerator. [10] X Research source
- Always bring the amaryllis in before the first frost, which typically occurs at 32ºF or 0ºC night temperature.
- If storing in your refrigerator, do not store fruit in your refrigerator at the same time. Many fruits, especially apples, release chemicals that can sterilize your amaryllis bulb.
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Leave the bulb alone for 6–8 weeks. Store the amaryllis in the cool, dark environment for at least 6 weeks. Do not water it during this time, and do remove any remaining leaves as they die. This is the bulb's dormant period, and the plant must experience this in order to bloom again. [11] X Research source
- If you want the amaryllis to rebloom by a particular date, like Christmas, remove the bulb from the cool area at least 6 weeks before that day.
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Squeeze the bulb to see if it’s rotted. After the 6 to 8 weeks are up, reach under the soil surface and gently squeeze the bulb. If the bulb is soft, it may have rotted and become unusable. [12] X Research source If you are not certain, attempt to rebloom the bulb anyway, but acquire a backup amaryllis as well in case the original bulb dies.
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Replace some or all of the soil. Like most plants, amaryllis plants grow better in certain types of soil, and over a period of 1–3 years, they may remove the nutrients from their soil. [13] X Research source While it is not difficult to get an amaryllis to rebloom, your plant may grow larger and healthier if you use a special potting mix. Amaryllis roots are easily harmed during transplanting, so if you are not used to transplanting flowers, replace the top 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) of soil instead.
- The best soil for amaryllis consists of 2 parts loamy soil, without much sand or clay; 1 part perlite or gravel; and 1 part organic matter such as rotted manure, peat, leaf mold, or composted bark.
- A clay pot might be better than a plastic one, as the amaryllis can become top-heavy and tip a lightweight pot over.
- To replant the amaryllis in your garden, remove any dead leaves and peel off the bulb sheaths. Place the plant in the soil with the bulb shoulders exposed, and give it a drink of water. This will help “wake” the amaryllis up.
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Water the soil thoroughly if you repotted it. If you transplanted the bulb into a new pot, water the soil thoroughly and allow the excess to drain through the base of the pot. Following the initial watering, keep the soil damp, but not soaked, as in the summer or autumn. [14] X Research source
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Keep the plant in a relatively warmer location. The ideal temperature for forcing an amaryllis to flower is between 55 and 65ºF (13–18ºC). Moving the plant into a warmer location will encourage growth, though too much warmth may lead to weak or floppy growth. Cooler temperatures may prevent or slow growth. [15] X Research source
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Wait for the plant to flower. While a new amaryllis plant usually grows a flower before leaves, they may appear in either order when it reblooms. Keep the soil damp, but not soaked, and expect your new flower or flowers to bloom approximately 6 weeks after you moved the amaryllis to a warmer area. [16] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow long do the blooms last on amaryllis?Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.The bloom typically lasts about 3 weeks for amaryllis, though the blooming period may be slightly longer or shorter depending on the growing conditions and health of the plant.
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QuestionDo you cut the leaves off amaryllis?Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.Do not cut the leaves off until they begin to die. When they start changing to yellow, you can remove them.
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QuestionHow often does an amaryllis bloom?Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.Once a year, if cared for correctly. The most important part is after the blooming season, where tending the plant properly can give it the needed energy to bloom the next year.
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Tips
- Plant multiple amaryllis plants at different times or fertilize them at staggered schedules if you want to have amaryllis blooms visible for a longer period of time.Thanks
- Amaryllis typically blooms in late winter or spring, but if you recently purchased a plant grown in a different hemisphere, it may flower according to the season in that part of the world. Once it's experienced a year in your climate, it should adjust.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Be careful to keep different colored Amaryllis bulbs apart when they're blooming. The stronger color will often prevail if the two pollens combine.
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Warnings
- Applying more than the recommended amount of fertilizer may harm or kill your plants.Thanks
- Amaryllis roots are fragile and may break or die during transplanting. Be cautious when moving amaryllis plants to a different pot or soil mix, and try to avoid touching the roots.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/01/can-i-get-my-amaryllis-bloom-again
- ↑ https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/01/can-i-get-my-amaryllis-bloom-again
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/amaryllis#after-flowering-care-858663
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/amaryllis#after-flowering-care-858663
- ↑ https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/amaryllis.html
- ↑ https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/01/can-i-get-my-amaryllis-bloom-again
- ↑ https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/amaryllis.html
- ↑ https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-amaryllis
- ↑ https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-amaryllis
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/amaryllis#move-plants-outdoors-858664
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/amaryllis#control-blooming-858665
- ↑ https://libanswers.nybg.org/faq/222545
- ↑ https://plantpropagation.com/repotting-amaryllis-101-a-step-by-step-guide/
- ↑ https://wayne.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/12/growing-amaryllis-bulbs/
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/amaryllis#control-blooming-858665
- ↑ https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-amaryllis
About This Article
Article Summary
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To get amaryllis to rebloom, start by cutting away faded blooms where the old flowers meet the main stalk of your plant. Next, cut back any yellow, sagging stalks within 2 inches of the bulb to stimulate new growth. Then, position the plant where it will receive plenty of bright, indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist. Once summer arrives, replant the amaryllis in the ground outdoors and fertilize it every 2 weeks to encourage lots of new blooms! For tips on repotting your plant and checking the health of the bulb, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I did not know that the flowers die off as the plant progresses, as I have not planted an amaryllis before. So I thought I was doing something wrong. But your article showed me that the flowers do die, and to just remove them to promote healthy other flowers and energy to the bulb. Thank you. You are the only site that let me know that was a natural stage of the plant!" ..." more
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"I did not know that the flowers die off as the plant progresses, as I have not planted an amaryllis before. So I thought I was doing something wrong. But your article showed me that the flowers do die, and to just remove them to promote healthy other flowers and energy to the bulb. Thank you. You are the only site that let me know that was a natural stage of the plant!"
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"I am a beginner when it comes to Amaryllis plants so I needed to do some research. I have a waxed Amaryllis plant and 3 regular ones. This article has provided me with sound advice and new knowledge for after care."
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"Really enjoyed your article. It was very helpful. Thank you. I will do my best to follow these instructions. I enjoy a good challenge, so I am going to try to get it to bloom again. Will let you know if it does."
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"A great pictorial article to help us take good care of our beautiful Amaryllis plants. I have been treating mine all wrong! No wonder I got no new flowers, though the long leaves are lovely, too."
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"Your tips helped me to understand better about my amaryllis, with knowledge that their dormancy is preparing them for blooms. Now I am waiting with anticipation to see mine bloom. Thank you."
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