How to Care for Amaryllis Flowers

Last Updated: June 5, 2021 Approved

The Amaryllis plant, or Hippeastrum, is a tropical flower that is native to South Africa.^{[1]
X
Research source} The amaryllis bulb is prized by gardeners because it is easy to plant and replant after a short dormant period. You can care for amaryllis flowers in garden beds or in household pots, planting in spring or fall.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:
Timing Amaryllis Blooms

1
Purchase Amaryllis bulbs in the color of your choice. You can find them in shades of red, pink or orange, as well as white. They may also be a combination of a few colors.
- The larger the bulb, the more flowers the amaryllis will have.
2
Store the bulbs in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place until they are ready to be planted. Their ideal storage temperature is between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4 and 10 degrees Celsius).
- Use your refrigerator’s crisper drawer to store your bulbs for a minimum of 6 weeks. However, you should not store the bulbs next to fruit, like apples, or they can sterilize.
Advertisement
3
Decide if you want your amaryllis to bloom in the winter or the summer. This will depend greatly on your climate. If you have cold temperatures, below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) in the winter, you will need to plant the bulb in a pot and keep it inside.
- Winter blooms are generally bigger and last longer than summer blooms.
- You can plant during both seasons, as long as there is 6 weeks of cold storage between the last bloom dying and the replanting.
4
Plant the bulb in rich soil outside or in compost soil inside approximately 8 weeks before you want it to flower.

Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:
Planting Amaryllis Bulbs

1
Choose a container that is well drained. Do not use pots without holes in the bottom. Amaryllis bulbs are very sensitive to overwatering.
- Amaryllis prefers to be pot bound, although it can be planted in some smaller garden beds.
- Plant in the garden bed when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) and there is no risk of a bad frost. Use the same instructions as you would to plant in a pot.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
2
Pick a container that is half as wide as the bulb on each side. There should be able 2 inches of soil between the side of the bulb and the pot. Most amaryllis bulbs prefer a sturdy 6 to 8 inch pot.^{[3]
X
Research source}
3
Soak the amaryllis bulb in lukewarm water for 2 hours before you intend to plant it.
4
Buy rich potting compost at a local garden store. You can buy pre-made mixes that will work well for this type of flower. Only garden soil will not work, because it will not drain adequately.
5
Place the amaryllis bulb in the pot with the roots down. Gently fill in potting soil around the bulb. Leave the stem of the bulb, approximately 1/3 of the plant, above the soil.
- Don’t pack the soil in too much, since you want the roots to remain intact.
- If you worry that planting them with the stem above the soil in a garden may force them to fall over, place a planting stake next to the bulb to keep it upright.
Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:
Caring for Amaryllis

1
Place the pot in direct sunlight for the first few weeks of care. It grows best in 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius) weather.
2
Water the bulb very sparingly until it reaches 2 inches (5 cm) of new growth.
3
Turn the base of the pot every week to encourage straight stalk growth.^{[4]
X
Research source}
4
Move the pot to indirect sunlight when it starts to bloom. They should bloom for approximately 2 weeks. The blooms will last longer in a 65-degree temperature (18.3 Celsius) than a hotter temperature.
5
Water the amaryllis flower regularly, as you would most house plants. Add liquid houseplant fertilizer at regular intervals.
6
Cut the flowers off 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the bulb when they start to die. When the flower stem wilts, cut it off where it meets the bulb. You can maintain the plant as a green plant for several weeks or months.

Advertisement

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:
Reusing Amaryllis Bulbs

1
Start to water the plant less as you get close to removing the bulb.
2
Make sure you remove and store the bulbs before the first frost, and before temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
3
Cut the leaves back to 2 inches above the bulb.^{[5]
X
Research source} When they start to yellow because of cooler temperatures and less water, they are ready to cut.
4
Remove the bulb and roots from the soil. Be gentle to avoid harming the bulb.
5
Clean the bulb with water. Dry it and store it in a cool dry place, just as you did before you planted the bulb. It should be kept cool and dry for 6 to 8 weeks before you plant it again.

Advertisement

Community Q&A

Question

What causes the leaves to be yellow? Is it over-watering, or not enough light?

Ninox

Top Answerer

Yellow leaves in amaryllis aren't a problem in most cases; they are part of the plant cycle. If the leaves become yellow early in the year, it is probably a plant disease and you'll need to treat it.
Question

I have several amaryllis which I leave in pots year round in the front window. They bloom twice a year. How many years should they last?

Ninox

Top Answerer

It may last 5 years without problem. If you want to keep them longer, you have to repot them after 4 - 5 years.
Question

When is the best time to replant amaryllis?

Ninox

Top Answerer

It depends on the time that you want your amaryllis to produce blooms. It ranges from October to March.
Question

Why am I not getting the flower, just the large leaves?

Community Answer

Not enough time has been allowed for the bulb to be replenish, or it is rotted due to too much water or disease. If the bulb is spongy and soft, then it should be tossed. When the green leaves (no flower) appear, then the plant needs to be in indirect sun so it can replenish the bulb.
Question

Can I cut off the amaryllis blooms and put them in water in a vase?

Community Answer

Of course you can. Place them in a vase with some baby's breath or a bit of fern, or whatever you want. To keep cut flowers fresh, try putting a baby Asprin in the water. Change the water every few days.
Question

Is an amaryllis dangerous for cats?

Community Answer

Amaryllis bulbs, as well as leaves and flowers, can be mildly poisonous to cats, dogs, and humans. This is not a problem very often because of the unpleasant taste of the bulb. If you suspect your animal has ingested some of the plant, call a vet.
Question

How long can I store a bulb in the refrigerator?

Ninox

Top Answerer

You can store a bulb up to three month in the refrigerator, as long as the bulb is not in contact with the walls.
Question

How much water do I give it?

Ninox

Top Answerer

You can water the plant every two weeks outside blooming period. In blooming period, you have to give enough water to keep the soil humid.
Question

Does amaryllis produce seeds after blooming?

Ninox

Top Answerer

No, amaryllis reproduce by dividing and not by seeds. You can cut the flowers when they wilt.
Question

How much direct sunlight can the plant endure when planted in the garden in a winter rainfall region?

Ninox

Top Answerer

It can endure direct sunlight, so it shouldn't be a problem. However, be aware that the soil has to be humid enough for the plant.