Growing Amaryllis plants brings stunning blooms and natural beauty to your home during winter when other flowers are scarce. These South American natives are prized for their large, showy flowers and relatively simple care requirements.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, Amaryllis cultivation offers rewarding results with minimal effort. Their impressive blooms can last for weeks, making them perfect for holiday decorating or brightening up your indoor space.
Key Points
- Amaryllis requires just 4 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth
- The ideal temperature range is 70-75°F during growth and 65°F after blooming
- Cold dormancy periods are essential for successful reblooming
- Regular watering when the soil surface feels dry ensures healthy plant development
- Fall is the best time to purchase bulbs for winter blooming
How Do I Grow And Maintain My Own Amaryllis?
Do you love amaryllis plants? Are you looking for tips on how to care for them? Or maybe you want to learn more about the plant itself?
In this article, I’ll share everything about growing and caring for amaryllis plants in your home. It will include information on how to grow them indoors, care for them after blooming, and get them to rebloom.
Amaryllis: Some Background Worth Noting
Plant enthusiasts love Amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybrids) because they are easy to grow and feature amazing blooms. The flower embodies the meaning of beauty and pride.
Most of the Amaryllis sold as indoor plants here are native to Central and South America, but there are a couple of Amaryllis varieties from South Africa.
Amaryllis gets its name from the Greek word Amarysso, which translated means “to sparkle.”
And sparkle they do. Popular flower colors include red, white, pink, and bi-color white and red, but I’ve also seen them in shades of pink, peach, and burgundy.
They are generally available from November to May, but their popularity peaks during the winter and especially during the holiday season.
The flower spike length varies depending on the plant type. While some are only about 12 inches tall, others reach 24 inches or more. Each spike will have two to three flowers per stem.
This short video showcases many of the vibrant colors available.
Caring For An Amaryllis Plant
Amaryllis are known for their long blooming period and minimal care. Following these guidelines, caring for and maintaining your amaryllis plant is easy.
Light
Amaryllis grow best indoors in a well-lighted area that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight daily, preferably near a sunny, southern exposure window.
Watering
Keep the soil evenly moist. Water it thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Increase watering frequency during the flowering period. To avoid root rot, never allow the plant to stand in water.
Temperature
Amaryllis prefers warm temperatures (70°F-75°F) for best growth until the roots form, and the leaves and flower stalk begin to grow. Once the plant flowers, cooler temperatures (65°F) will help to extend the flowers’ life. Do not expose Amaryllis to excessively hot or cold areas.
Growing Your Amaryllis
Amaryllis are one of the easiest bulb plants to care for and grow. They have a short growing season, making them perfect for growing in a pot or garden.
Successfully growing Amaryllis requires keeping the plants growing after they bloom. Remove the flowers as soon as they fade by cutting the stem off just above the bulb, but do not remove the leaves.
Growth is active during the next several months and encouraged for future bulb development.
Keep the soil moist and fertilize with a balanced houseplant fertilizer according to label directions.
How To Get Your Amaryllis To Rebloom
Amaryllis will not re-bloom unless they go through a cold dormancy period.
You can begin to induce dormancy as summer ends by stopping all watering. The leaves will turn yellow, wither, and can then be removed.
Place dormant bulbs in a cool, dark location (50° to 55°F) for 8 to 10 weeks. I use a refrigerator in my garage to store my dormant Amaryllis.
After the 8 to 10-week dormant period, bring the bulb out of dormancy by placing the plant in a sunny, warm area (70° to 75°F) and resume watering. Remove all dry foliage.
As the flower stalk emerges and lengthens, rotate the plant every few days to prevent it from leaning toward the light.
Here’s a short video about reblooming amaryllis plants.
Where You Can Buy Amaryllis Bulbs And Plants
Check with a local garden center or florist if you want to purchase amaryllis bulbs or plants in full bloom for yourself or others as a gift.
You can find a selection of bulbs online at Brecks, Eden Brothers, Burpee, and K. von Bourgondien.
Bulbs are available for fall planting and often sell out quickly.
During the holiday season, blooming Amaryllis plants can be purchased online at FTD, Proflowers, 1-800Flowers, and Teleflora.
They are usually available in traditional pots or waxed bulbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Amaryllis blooms last?
Individual Amaryllis blooms typically last 7-10 days, while the entire blooming period can extend 2-3 weeks with proper care and environmental conditions.
Can Amaryllis grow outdoors?
Amaryllis can grow outdoors in USDA zones 8-10, where frost isn’t a concern. In colder regions, they should be grown as indoor plants or moved indoors during winter months.
Why didn’t my Amaryllis rebloom?
Failed reblooming usually results from an insufficient dormancy period, inadequate light during the growing season, or improper fertilization during the active growth phase.
Are Amaryllis plants toxic to pets?
Yes, Amaryllis plants are toxic to cats and dogs. All parts of the plant contain compounds that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and abdominal pain if ingested.
Want More Plant Care Tips Like This?
If you liked these amaryllis plant care tips and want more, enter your email here. I’ll send you more information like this and other articles I post.
We will only use your information to send you our blog updates. You can change your mind anytime by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email you receive from us. You can find details about our privacy practices here.
You can also get more tips by following me on social media. And if you liked this post, please share it with your friends.
Til next time,
