With a bit of effort, it’s easy to have amaryllis that will bloom year after year. Let’s start with the steps needed to get them to rebloom once the flowers have faded. Remove the flower stalks just above the bulb and set the plant in a bright, sunny window during the rest of the winter. Don’t overwater, as this can lead to the bulb rotting. It’s best to keep it slightly on the dry side.
When the weather warms up past freezing in the spring, usually around Memorial Day, it’s time to move the plants outside for the summer.
You have a couple of options during the summer. With either option, it’s best to move the plants to a spot that gets only morning sun for a week. This helps them get used to being outdoors. After that, you can move them into full sun. The first option is to place the plants on your deck or patio. The other option is to plant the entire container with the bulb in the garden. During the summer months, feed them with a slow-release or water-soluble fertilizer and water as needed. This period outdoors allows the plants to make energy, which is stored in the bulbs and provides the winter blooms.
In about mid-September, or before the first frost, it’s time for the plants to come back indoors. Remove any dried leaves and place the plant in the coolest area of your home (55 degrees is ideal). Don’t water the plant during this time. Remove the leaves as they turn yellow.
After about eight or more weeks, it’s time to bring the bulbs to a warmer area of the home. This is also the time to replant into a new container or replace the soil in the current container if needed. Keep in mind that amaryllis like to be root-bound and don’t need to be transplanted every year. Water the plant once with warm water and place it in a sunny, bright area until it starts growing. Once you see growth, you can water as needed. Be patient, and in time, the plant will start growing. Some bulbs send up leaves first and then the flowers, while others will send the flower stalk up first followed by the leaves. Once the plant is done blooming, start this process over.
What does it mean if your plant does not bloom? Most often, it’s because it did not get enough sunlight or fertilizer during the summer months.
Don’t throw the plant away. Try again by giving it more summer light and fertilizer. It should bloom for you in the coming years.
