How Do You Care for an Amaryllis and Get It to Bloom Again?

An amaryllis needs a snug pot with drainage, a sunny window, and water only when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. Clemson Cooperative Extension says a bulb planted in early to mid-November can be expected to flower in 4 to 8 weeks, which lines a fall planting up with the winter holidays. 

Getting a second year of flowers is easier than its reputation suggests. University of Minnesota Extension states that, unlike some other bulbs, amaryllis do not require a rest or dormant period and will bloom again if they are simply kept growing. Dormancy is a scheduling tool. A bulb rested for 8 to 12 weeks at around 50 to 60 degrees usually flowers about 4 to 6 weeks after it is woken up, so the bloom date can be set by counting backward on a calendar. This post covers planting, light and water, what to do after the flowers fade, and how to time the next bloom.

What is an amaryllis?

The amaryllis sold as a houseplant is a hybrid of the genus Hippeastrum, a group of bulbs native to Central and South America. University of Minnesota Extension describes flowers that range from 4 to 10 inches across, carried on leafless stalks 1 to 2 feet tall. 

The bulbs are long-lived. The same extension source notes that amaryllis bulbs have been known to bloom for up to 75 years, so a gift bulb can turn into a plant that comes back every winter.

How do you plant an amaryllis bulb? 

Choose a narrow pot with at least one drainage hole. University of Minnesota Extension gives these measurements: 

• The pot should be about 1 inch wider than the widest part of the bulb.
• It should be about twice as tall as the bulb, to leave room for roots.
• One-third to one-half of the bulb should remain visible above the soil.

Fill the pot about half full with new potting soil, set the bulb so its roots rest on the soil, add more soil around it, and firm it in. Water thoroughly in a sink, let the pot drain completely, and move it to a sunny window.

Bulb size matters at purchase. University of Minnesota Extension says the larger the bulb, the more flowers it will have. Clemson Cooperative Extension puts a number on it: a bulb 30 to 32 centimeters around, roughly 12 inches, generally produces two flower stalks with 3 to 4 flowers per stem.

How much light and water does an amaryllis need? 

Clemson Cooperative Extension calls amaryllis sun-loving and recommends a spot that gets at least four hours of direct sunlight a day. It prefers warm temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees until the roots form and the stalk begins to grow. 

Water with restraint. Clemson advises watering well right after planting and then waiting a week before watering again. University of Minnesota Extension says to water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry and never to let the pot sit in water, because wet soil promotes bulb and root rot. 

Once growth is visible, University of Minnesota Extension recommends fertilizing at half the recommended strength each time the plant is watered. 

Two small moves make the flowers last longer. Minnesota says to take the plant out of direct sunlight when the buds begin to open, and Clemson notes that cooler temperatures of about 65 degrees prolong the life of the flowers. 

How long does an amaryllis take to bloom?

Clemson Cooperative Extension gives a range of 4 to 8 weeks for bulbs planted in early to mid-November. Applied to a calendar, a bulb potted on November 19 would be expected to flower between about December 17 and January 14. A bulb potted on December 11 would be expected to flower between about January 8 and February 5.

Those two dates are not random. Roots to Petals holds amaryllis garden workshops at its Oakmont studio on Thursday, November 19 and Friday, December 11, 2026. Each garden includes two jumbo amaryllis bulbs, three accent plants, decorative twigs for support, a terracotta container with saucer, and care instructions. The shop states that it sources bulbs known for producing three or more stems per bulb with 4 to 5 blooms per stem.

What do you do after the flowers fade? 

University of Minnesota Extension says the secret to keeping an amaryllis for years is to keep the plant actively growing after it has finished blooming. Its after-flowering steps are short: 

• Cut off the faded flowers so the plant does not spend energy making seed.
• Leave the flower stalk in place until it turns yellow. A green stalk keeps making energy that is stored in the bulb.
• Move the plant to the sunniest window available.
• Keep watering and fertilizing as the long, smooth leaves grow.

When frost danger has passed in spring, the pot can go outside. Minnesota recommends starting it in shade and working up to a spot with at least 6 hours of full sun, then feeding monthly through summer. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for Pittsburgh International Airport put the median last 32-degree night at April 23, with a 1 in 10 chance of a freeze after May 12. 

Bring the pot back inside before the first fall frost. The same NOAA normals give October 23 as the median first freeze and October 9 as the date by which a freeze has already happened in 1 year out of 10. University of Minnesota Extension is plain about the reason: amaryllis will not survive frost or freezing temperatures.

How do you get an amaryllis to bloom again?

There are two routes, and both work. 

Keep it growing. Because amaryllis do not need dormancy, a plant that is watered, fed and given good light year-round will bloom again on its own schedule.

Rest it to pick the date. University of Minnesota Extension describes the method:

• After bringing the pot indoors in fall, put it in a cool, dry, dark place at around 50 to 60 degrees, such as a basement or closet.
• Stop watering. Let the leaves turn brown and dry before cutting them off.
• Leave the bulb in the dark for 8 to 12 weeks.
• Then move it to a sunny window and resume watering and feeding.

Flowers usually develop about 4 to 6 weeks after a dormant bulb is woken up. For blooms around December 25, that means bringing the bulb into the light between about November 13 and November 27, and starting its rest between late August and the first days of October.

If a bulb sends up leaves and no flower stalk, University of Minnesota Extension says it likely did not store enough nutrients after its last bloom. A summer in full sun with regular feeding is the fix.

Is amaryllis safe around pets?

No. Amaryllis is on the ASPCA's list of plants toxic to cats. Clemson Cooperative Extension states that all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and pets if ingested in large quantities, and that the bulb is the most toxic part. Keep the pot where pets and small children cannot reach it, and call a veterinarian if a pet chews on one.

FAQ

How often should you water an amaryllis?

Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, and let the pot drain freely each time.

Should you cut the stalk off after an amaryllis blooms?

Cut off the faded flowers first. University of Minnesota Extension says to leave the stalk until it has turned yellow, because a green stalk continues to feed the bulb. 

Does an amaryllis need a dormant period?

No. University of Minnesota Extension states that amaryllis do not require a rest period and will bloom again if allowed to keep growing. A rest of 8 to 12 weeks is only needed to control when the flowers arrive.

Can an amaryllis grow in water?

Yes. Clemson Cooperative Extension describes forcing bulbs in a clear vase with the water level kept about 1 inch below the bulb. Bulbs forced this way will not bloom again in water, so pot them in soil afterward to keep them.

How often should an amaryllis be repotted?

Every 3 or 4 years, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.

When should a potted amaryllis come inside in Pittsburgh?

Before the first frost. NOAA's normals for Pittsburgh International Airport show a 10 percent chance of a freeze by October 9 and a median first freeze of October 23, so early October is a safe target.

Amaryllis Gardens and Workshops at Roots to Petals

Roots to Petals is an independent, woman-owned florist and plant studio at 527 Allegheny Avenue in Oakmont. Its winter bulb gardens feature amaryllis and paperwhites, and its workshops include the November and December amaryllis garden sessions. For more winter plant reading, see the shop's guides to the best house plants for Pittsburgh homes and apartments, to choosing houseplants at a plant store, and to flowers, plants and workshops around Pittsburgh.

Visit Roots to Petals or call 412-822-6023 today. Contact us for more information.