Caring for an Amaryllis bulb from the bulb stage to the second bloom
An amaryllis is one of the most rewarding bulbs you can bring into your home. You plant a bare bulb and six to eight weeks later, there is a sturdy stem with three or four large blooms. With the right care, that same bulb will simply bloom again next year. In this blog, you will read step-by-step how to do that. From planting and watering to the rest period after flowering. Don't have any bulbs at home yet? Then check out our amaryllis bulbs first.
How do you plant an amaryllis bulb?
To start, choose a pot that is just slightly larger than the bulb, with two to three centimeters of space all around. An amaryllis blooms best when its roots are a bit cramped. A pot that is too large holds too much water, which will cause the bulb to rot. Also, ensure there is a hole in the bottom.
Before planting, place the roots in lukewarm water for a few hours. They will become supple again and take root more quickly. Fill the pot with standard potting soil and place the bulb inside. Firm the soil around it and leave about a third of the bulb sticking out above the surface. The neck must always remain dry.
Want an amaryllis to bloom around Christmas?
Do you want blooms for Christmas? Then plant by mid-November at the latest. From planting, it takes an average of six to eight weeks for the first flower to open. Want color all winter long? Then plant a new bulb every two to three weeks.
Water and light in the first weeks for amaryllises
After planting, water once so that the soil is slightly moist. After that, do almost nothing until you see a green tip. As long as the bulb hasn't sprouted, it barely needs water. Then place the pot in a warm spot of around 20 to 22 degrees, for example, near a heater. Bottom heat helps the bulb get started. As soon as the bud or the first leaf is visible, water more often—just a little bit whenever the top centimeter of soil feels dry.
From that moment on, the amaryllis wants plenty of light. A bright windowsill is ideal, although bright afternoon sun behind glass can be too much of a good thing. Find the perfect mix.
During flowering, help amaryllises by supporting and rotating them
An amaryllis grows toward the light. The best tip we can give you? Rotate the pot a quarter turn every few days so the stem stays straight. With three or four large flowers at the top, the stem also becomes heavy. Place a small stake next to it in time and tie the stem loosely so it doesn't snap. Want to enjoy your amaryllises for longer? Then three things help:
- Place the plant in a cooler spot at night, between 15 and 18 degrees
- Keep the plant out of direct sunlight
- Carefully snip off the stamens as soon as the flower opens
Amaryllis in wax? What you do and don't need to do
An amaryllis in wax is the easiest variety available. The bulb already has all the nutrients and moisture it needs inside it. You don't need to water it or buy a pot or soil. Place it in a bright spot at room temperature and rotate it occasionally, and it will grow straight up. A wax amaryllis stands without a pot, so place it on a stable surface.
What you should know: an amaryllis in wax blooms only once. The roots have been removed and the bulb cannot absorb new nutrients. After flowering, you simply throw it away. Do you want a bulb that comes back every year? Then choose a standard amaryllis bulb in potting soil.
After flowering and saving for next year
This is where the difference lies between a one-time bloomer and an amaryllis you keep for years. After flowering, the bulb gets to work storing energy for next year. Here is how you help it:
- Cut the stem. Once the last flower has withered, cut the stem a few centimeters above the bulb. Leave the foliage; the bulb uses it to recharge.
- Water and nutrients until August. Water as usual during growth and add some houseplant fertilizer every two weeks. After mid-May, when there is no more risk of night frost, you can move the pot outside to a sheltered spot in partial shade.
- Rest period in August. Stop watering in mid-August. The leaves will turn yellow and die back. Cut off the dry leaves and store the pot or the loose bulb in a cool, dry place for eight to ten weeks, at 10 to 13 degrees. A shed or basement that doesn't freeze is fine.
- Repotting. After the rest period, take the bulb out, remove old soil and dead roots, and plant it in fresh potting soil. From here, you start again at step one: water once and place in a warm spot.
Common problems with amaryllis bulbs
Most problems with an amaryllis are easy to prevent or solve. Often, it starts with planting:
- Only leaves appear, no flowers. Usually, the rest period was too short, or the bulb received too little light and nutrients after the previous flowering. A bulb that is too small may also only produce leaves. Stick to eight to ten weeks of cool and dry conditions, and the flower will usually return next season.
- The stem is limp or falls over. This is caused by too little light or too much heat, making the stem grow long and thin. Move the plant to a brighter and cooler spot and give it a stake. Overwatering also makes the stem limp.
- Red spots on leaves or bulb. This is a fungus common in amaryllises, often caused by a bulb that is too wet. Cut away affected leaves, water less, and keep the neck of the bulb dry. If the bulb is soft or smells musty, unfortunately, it cannot be saved.
- The bulb becomes soft. This is almost always rot due to overwatering or a pot that is too large. Don't try to save a soft bulb; start over with a fresh one.
Planting extra amaryllis bulbs?
One amaryllis is beautiful, but three in a row on the windowsill or a few different colors together are truly impressive. By planting the bulbs every two to three weeks, you can have continuous blooms from December to March. In our amaryllis collection, you will find the most beautiful colors and varieties to combine with your current amaryllises.
We ship our amaryllis bulbs fresh from the Bulb Region, well-packed, so they arrive firm and healthy. This way, you can plant them immediately and soon enjoy a wonderful display of color.
Frequently asked questions about amaryllis care
How often should you water an amaryllis?
You should water an amaryllis as soon as the top centimeter of potting soil feels dry, usually once or twice a week. This only applies if the bulb is already growing. Immediately after planting, water once, then nothing until you see green. Pour the water into the saucer or along the edge of the pot, and never let water stand in the saucer.
Why isn't my amaryllis blooming?
Your amaryllis usually fails to bloom because the bulb didn't store enough energy after the previous flowering, or because the rest period was too short. Give the plant water and nutrients until August after flowering. Then store the bulb in a cool, dry place for eight to ten weeks at 10 to 13 degrees. A bulb that is too small or too little light can also result in only leaves.
How long does an amaryllis bloom?
An amaryllis blooms for two to three weeks per stem. A large bulb often produces a second stem, giving you a total of four to six weeks of blooms. If you want to enjoy them longer, place the plant in a cooler spot at night and out of direct sunlight.
Can you put an amaryllis outside?
You can put an amaryllis outside in the summer, but only after mid-May when there is no longer a risk of night frost. Choose a sheltered spot in partial shade and continue to provide water and nutrients. An amaryllis is not winter-hardy. Bring it back inside before the nights drop below 10 degrees.
Is an amaryllis toxic to cats?
An amaryllis is toxic to cats, as well as dogs. All parts of the plant contain toxic substances, with the bulb containing the most. Place the plant in a spot where your pet cannot reach it. If your cat has nibbled on it, contact your veterinarian. Want to know more about toxic bulbs in the home and garden? Read our blog about whether tulips are toxic.
Does an amaryllis come back every year?
An amaryllis will come back every year if you take good care of the bulb after it flowers. Cut off the spent stem, leave the leaves, and provide water and nutrients until August. Then follows the eight-to-ten-week rest period. After that, repot the bulb, and it will begin a new bloom. Only an amaryllis in wax blooms just once.
How long does it take for an amaryllis to bloom?
An amaryllis blooms on average six to eight weeks after you have planted the bulb. In a warm spot of 20 to 22 degrees, it goes faster; in a cool spot, it takes longer. If you want blooms for Christmas, plant the bulb by mid-November at the latest.
Do you need to fertilize an amaryllis?
You don't need to fertilize an amaryllis during its first bloom, as the bulb already contains all the nutrients. After flowering, nutrients become important. Give houseplant fertilizer every two weeks until August so that the bulb stores enough energy for a new flower stem.
Can you grow an amaryllis in water?
You can grow an amaryllis in water in a glass or vase where only the roots touch the water. The bulb itself must remain dry, otherwise, it will rot. Change the water every week. An amaryllis grown in water blooms just as beautifully but has less strength afterward to bloom again the following year.
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