Caring for an amaryllis is less difficult than many people think. The basics are simple: keep the plant somewhere bright and warm, do not give it too much water, and let the leaves keep growing after flowering. That last step in particular often helps an amaryllis bulb flower again.
Want a quick overview of what to look out for? Above all, remember this:
- Place an amaryllis in a bright spot away from cold and drafts.
- It is better to give too little water than too much.
- Only feed after flowering, when the leaves are still growing.
- Remove faded flowers, but leave healthy leaves in place.
- Give the bulb a rest period if you want to keep it.
The basics: light, warmth and not too much water
In the home, when people say amaryllis they usually mean Hippeastrum: the familiar bulb that produces a sturdy flower stem and large flowers indoors. Care is mainly about balance. The bulb needs enough light and warmth to get going properly, but a wet pot is a risk. Especially with a dry amaryllis bulb that has just been planted, problems are more often caused by too much water than by too little.
If the plant is in the right spot and you keep the soil only lightly moist, growth usually starts on its own. So an amaryllis does not need complicated care, but it does need a gentle start.
Caring for potted amaryllis
The right spot
Place an amaryllis in a bright spot indoors. Warmth helps the bulb root well and keep growing, especially at the start. A spot near a window often works well, as long as the plant is not in a draft or on a cold windowsill. If the stem starts leaning towards the light, turn the pot a quarter turn from time to time.
Once the buds have opened, the plant can be kept a little cooler. That often helps the flowers stay beautiful for longer and also slows the stem from growing too quickly.
Watering without risking rot
An amaryllis bulb needs little water at first. If the bulb has just been planted, keep the potting soil only lightly moist. Only water more once you see clear growth or notice that the top layer feels dry. It is better to water in small amounts than to give a lot at once.
The rule of thumb is simple: slightly too dry is better than too wet. In soaking wet soil, the roots and bulb can rot. If the pot is close to a heat source, check a little more often because the soil dries out faster there.
Feeding
During the first flowering, the plant mainly uses nutrients from the bulb itself. Extra feed is usually not needed then. If you want to keep the amaryllis, only start fertilising after flowering has finished and the leaves are still growing strongly. That helps the bulb build up reserves again.
Planting an amaryllis bulb and getting it to bloom
If you bought a loose amaryllis bulb, choose a sturdy pot with well-aerated potting soil and do not plant the bulb too deeply. Ideally, the neck of the bulb should stay exposed so excess moisture is less likely to cause problems. Firm the soil lightly and then place the pot straight away in a warm, bright spot.
With a dry bulb, watering sparingly is especially important. Many people give a lot of water straight away to speed up growth, but that is exactly how the bulb can be damaged. Patience, light and moderate moisture usually work better than an overly wet start.
What do you do with an amaryllis after it has flowered?
Once the flowers have faded, first remove the faded blooms. You can remove the flower stem once it turns yellow or limp, but leave the leaves in place as much as possible. Those leaves are needed to help the bulb regain strength. So do not throw away a spent amaryllis straight away if you want to keep it.
Continue caring for the plant for a while afterwards. Water it occasionally, keep it in a bright spot and give it some feed if needed, as long as the leaves stay healthy. Only when the leaves die back on their own is the bulb ready for rest.
Keeping an amaryllis and getting it to bloom again
Keeping an amaryllis bulb takes a little more attention, but it is very doable. The key is to follow the natural cycle: flowering, leaf growth, rest and then starting again. If you skip the rest phase, the bulb is less likely to form flower buds later.
- Remove faded flowers and leave the leaves in place.
- Keep watering for a while and give feed if needed while the leaves are growing.
- Gradually stop watering once the leaves turn yellow and die back.
- Then let the bulb rest in a cool, dry place.
- After the rest period, put the bulb back in the light and start watering carefully again.
If you want to repot the amaryllis, only do so when the bulb comes out of its rest period or when the pot has really become too small. Use fresh potting soil and keep firm roots intact as much as possible. It is better to remove soft or damaged parts. A healthy, firm bulb has the best chance of flowering again.
Waxed amaryllis care
A waxed amaryllis is made for convenience. The bulb uses its own reserves and usually does not need potting soil or regular watering. Keep a waxed amaryllis in a bright spot at room temperature, but not right next to a radiator or in intense heat. Turn the bulb from time to time so the stem grows straighter.
If you want to keep a waxed amaryllis bulb, that is more difficult than with a normal bulb in a pot. Many waxed bulbs are meant for a single flowering and form limited roots. Even so, after flowering you can carefully check whether the bulb is still firm and healthy. If so, you can remove the wax and pot the bulb up after all, but success is not always guaranteed.
Caring for amaryllis in a vase or as a cut flower
If you use amaryllis as a cut flower, place the stems in a clean, tall vase with a shallow layer of clean water. The stems are hollow and can split or curl at the ends. A piece of tape around the bottom of the stem helps reduce this. Change the water as soon as it becomes cloudy and do not place the vase in a spot that is too warm.
Because the flowers are heavy, a tall vase gives extra support. That helps cut amaryllis stay beautiful for longer and prevents the stems from snapping.
Frequently asked questions about amaryllis care
How often should you water an amaryllis?
Not on a fixed schedule, but by feel. Check each time whether the top layer of potting soil is starting to dry out. It is better to give small amounts than a lot at once.
Does an amaryllis bulb need water?
An amaryllis bulb in a pot does, but sparingly. A waxed bulb usually does not need extra water. If the bulb is placed over water without soil, make sure it is not kept constantly too wet.
What should you do when the amaryllis has finished flowering?
Remove the faded flowers, leave the leaves in place and keep caring for the plant for a while. Those leaves feed the bulb for the next flowering.
How do you store an amaryllis bulb until next year?
First let the bulb recover through leaf growth, then give it a rest period in a cool, dry place and later start it up again with light and a little water.
Can you care for an amaryllis without soil?
Yes, you can with a waxed bulb or with a bulb on water. Just make sure the bulb itself does not stay wet for too long, because that increases the risk of rot.
What is the difference between amaryllis and Hippeastrum?
Indoors and in shops, Hippeastrum is usually what people mean by amaryllis. If you are specifically looking for amaryllis belladonna care, keep in mind that this plant has a different growth rhythm from the familiar indoor amaryllis.