Growing Amaryllis Bulbs: Potting, Blooming and Reblooming
The short answer
Amaryllis bulbs bloom indoors in winter with little fuss. Clemson Extension says to pot the bulb with its top third above the soil, water sparingly until growth starts and give bright light. After flowering, let the leaves grow through summer so the bulb rebuilds energy. A rest period then helps it bloom again.
Amaryllis is one of the easiest indoor bulbs, and one bulb can send up tall stalks of huge, trumpet shaped flowers. With some care after bloom, it can flower again for years.
How do you pot an amaryllis?
Choose a heavy pot only an inch or two wider than the bulb, since amaryllis blooms most freely a little snug. Our post on root bound plants explains how roots behave in tight pots.
Fill the pot partway with well drained mix, set the bulb on top and add mix around it.
The Clemson Extension amaryllis fact sheet advises leaving the top third of the bulb above the soil line. Firm the mix around the bulb.
Water once well, then sparingly until a shoot appears, because a wet pot before roots form can rot the bulb. Our post on overwatering covers signs to watch.
What is an amaryllis bulb?
Amaryllis grows from a true bulb with layers of fleshy, food storing scales, much like an onion.
The UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions page on bulbs explains the differences between true bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes.
The garden amaryllis sold for winter bloom is actually Hippeastrum. It comes from South America and needs no cold period to bloom.
How long does an amaryllis take to bloom?
Most bulbs bloom six to ten weeks after potting, sooner in warm rooms.
Pot bulbs every few weeks from October to December for blooms from the holidays into early spring.
| Stage | Timing | Care |
|---|---|---|
| Potting | Fall to early winter | Water once, then sparingly |
| Shoot growth | Weeks 2 to 6 | Bright light, turn the pot |
| Bloom | Weeks 6 to 10 | Cooler room makes flowers last |
| Leaf growth | Spring to summer | Regular water and light feeding |
| Rest | Late summer to fall | Dry and cool for 8 to 12 weeks |
| Regrowth | After rest | Repot or top dress, resume water |
Sources: Clemson Extension, UF/IFAS, University of Minnesota Extension.
How do you care for it while it blooms?
Give the pot bright light and turn it every few days so the stalk grows straight.
Tall stalks may need a stake, as heavy flowers can tip a light pot.
Move the plant to a cooler room at night to make flowers last longer.
How do you care for it after blooming?
Cut each flower off as it fades. Once all flowers on a stalk finish, cut the stalk about an inch above the bulb.
Don’t cut the leaves, which feed the bulb for next year’s bloom.
Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Feed with a balanced houseplant fertilizer every few weeks.
In summer, many gardeners move the pot outside to a spot with morning sun. Our post on potting up covers moving plants into bigger containers if the bulb outgrows its pot.
How do you get it to rebloom?
In late summer, stop watering and move the pot to a cool, dark spot around 50 to 55 degrees. Let the leaves yellow and die back.
Leave the bulb dry for eight to twelve weeks so it sets next year’s flower buds.
Bring the pot back into warmth and light, top dress with fresh mix and water once. Growth soon starts again.
How to: step by step
- Choose a pot just wider than the bulb.
- Plant with the top third above soil.
- Water lightly until growth starts.
- Give bright light and turn the pot.
- Cut spent flowers but leave the foliage.
- Rest the bulb as guides suggest before regrowing.
Can amaryllis grow outdoors?
Yes, in warm southern gardens where winters stay mild.
In colder areas, lift the bulbs before frost. The University of Minnesota Extension guide to planting bulbs, tubers and rhizomes explains which bulbs are tender in cold climates.
Troubleshooting
Leaves but no flowers. The bulb needs more leaf growth in summer or a longer rest.
Bulb soft at the base. Too much water. Let the mix dry between waterings.
Stalk leaning hard. Turn the pot more often or add more light.
Flowers fade fast. The room’s too warm, so move it somewhere cooler.
No growth after rest. Check the bulb is firm, then give warmth and one watering.
A single bulb can bloom year after year with the right rhythm. Kind Seed Co shares more garden ideas in outdoor growing.
Sources
- Amaryllis, Clemson Cooperative Extension, HGIC, Amaryllis
- Is this a bulb?, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Is this a bulb?
- Planting bulbs, tubers and rhizomes, University of Minnesota Extension, Planting bulbs
FAQ
Can amaryllis grow outdoors?
Yes in mild winter areas. Lift bulbs before frost in cold areas.
How long does an amaryllis take to bloom?
Usually six to ten weeks after potting.
Should I cut the leaves after blooming?
No. Let them grow on to feed the bulb.
Can amaryllis grow in water?
Yes, for one bloom, but the bulb may not rebloom well.
Does amaryllis need a cold period?
No. It needs a dry rest, not a chill.
