Growing Amaryllis
November 9, 2026
Native to Africa, the genus Amaryllis comes from the Greek word amarysso, which means "to sparkle." Bulbs were brought to Europe in the 1700s and have been known to bloom for up to 75 years. However, the amaryllis bulbs we commonly purchase and grow as houseplants are hybrids of the genus Hippeastrum and are native to Central and South America.
Amaryllis flowers range from 4 to 10 inches in size and can be either single or double in form.
While the most popular colors are red and white, flowers may also be pink, salmon, apricot, rose or deep burgundy. Some varieties are bicolor such as purple and green, or picotee (having petals with a different edge color).
Planting
Amaryllis grow best in narrow containers. Containers may be made of plastic, metal, ceramic or terracotta.
Bulbs should be firm and dry with no signs of mold, decay or injury.
Select a container that has one or more holes in the bottom and drains easily.
Good drainage will minimize the chance of bulb or root rot (rotting from excess moisture).
The diameter of the pot should be about 1 inch wider than the widest part of the bulb and twice as tall as the bulb to allow space for good root development.
Fill the pot about half full with sterile, new potting soil high in organic matter such as peat moss.
Set the bulb in the pot so the roots rest on the potting soil.
The bulb should sit up above the edge of the container.
Add more soil, tapping it down around the bulb, until one-third to one-half of the bulb remains visible.
Firm the potting medium around the bulb.
Set the pot in a sink where it can drain freely and water until the potting soil is thoroughly moist. Allow to drain completely.
Set the pot on a saucer and place in a sunny window.
After-flowering Care
The secret to keeping amaryllis thriving for years is to keep the plants actively growing AFTER they have finished blooming.
After the flowers have faded, cut them off to prevent seed formation. Seed formation will deplete important energy reserves in the bulb and reduce blooming.
Do not remove the flower stalk until it has turned yellow.
A green stem will continue to promote photosynthesis, which creates energy that is stored in the bulb for future leaf growth and flowers.
If the bulb does not produce a flowering stalk in the next blooming period, it is likely that has not stored enough nutrients during the post-blooming period.
Keeping the plant healthy and growing will promote blooming.
After your plant has finished blooming, place it in the sunniest possible location indoors. It will continue to grow long, smooth leaves. These leaves will promote photosynthesis.
Continue to water and fertilize the plant regularly with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Reblooming
Unlike some other bulbs, amaryllis do not require a rest or dormant period. They will bloom again if allowed to continue to grow. Bloom time can be controlled by allowing the bulb go dormant (stop growing) for a period of time. During this resting period (dormancy), plants use very little of their energy reserves.
After bringing the potted amaryllis indoors, store the potted plant in a cool, dry, dark location such as a basement or closet.
The temperature should be around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the leaves become brown and dry before cutting them off.
Leave the potted bulb in the dark for 8 to 12 weeks. Do not water during this time.
Inspect the bulb periodically for mold or mildew. If found, treat with a fungicide or consider throwing away the bulb.
If new growth appears during this time, remove the potted bulb from the dark location and place in a sunny window. Trim off any dead leaves. If after 8 to 12 weeks, no new growth has appeared, remove the potted bulb from the dark and place in a sunny location.
Water and fertilize as noted above in After-flowering care.
This process will force the plant to bloom providing the bulb has sufficient energy to produce a flower stalk.
Usually, one or more flower stalks appear first, but occasionally they are preceded by leaves.
Flowers usually develop in about 4 to 6 weeks from dormant bulbs.
Amaryllis plants bloom best when they grow in a container with little extra space (potbound). They require repotting only every 3 or 4 years. The best time to repot them is after they have gone through a dormant period.
Printable PDF:
Growing and Caring for Amaryllis
Website:
Information from University of Minnesota Extension
Video:
How to Plant Amaryllis Bulbs in 4 Easy Steps
Down to Earth Gardening and Design
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