Last Updated on November 7, 2022
Learn to grow and care for your Amaryllis plant at home. It's easy if you follow these steps.
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 you need to know about growing and caring for amaryllis plants at home. It will include information on how to grow them indoors, care for them once they’re done 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 various shades of pink, peach, and burgundy.
They are generally available from November to May, but their popularity is at its peak during the winter months 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: Guidelines to Follow
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 each day, preferably near a sunny, southern exposure window.
Watering
Keep the soil evenly moist. Water 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 extend the life of the flower. Do not expose Amaryllis to excessively hot or cold areas.
Growing Your Amaryllis
Amaryllis is one of the easiest bulb plants to care for and grow. They have a relatively 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.
During the next several months, growth is active and should be encouraged for future bulb development.
Keep the soil slightly moist and fertilize with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at regular intervals, 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 at 50° to 55°F for 8 to 10 weeks. I use an old 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 it again. Remove all dry foliage.
As the flower stalk emerges and begins to lengthen, 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
If you want to purchase amaryllis bulbs or plants in full bloom for yourself or others as a gift, check with a local garden center or florist.
You can find a wide selection of bulbs online at Brecks, Eden Brothers, Burpee, and K. von Bourgondien.
Bulbs are available for fall planting and do 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.
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Til next time,
