Amaryllis Care: How to Make It Bloom Again Next Christmas
The amaryllis is the fire of winter, a blaze of crimson petals that brightens the holiday home and seems to fade with the season. Many people discard it once the flowers are gone, believing its beauty is temporary.
But this magnificent bulb is not a short-lived decoration; it is a faithful plant that can shine next Christmas again with the right care. If you want to turn your holiday amaryllis into a yearly tradition, this guide will help you begin. Keep reading to learn how to get your amaryllis to rebloom.
Amaryllis Care After Blooming: Full Timeline
If you want your amaryllis to bloom again, you need to continue to care for it after the flowering period until the next flowering season.
1. After Blooming
After your amaryllis finishes flowering, cut off the flower stalk, but keep all healthy leaves so the bulb can store energy. If the bulb was waxed, gently remove the wax and any wires, then check that the bulb is still firm; some waxed bulbs can survive if they remain healthy.
During the following winter and spring, care for the bulb like any other houseplant. Place the plant indoors in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Water weekly, keeping the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged. Apply a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer monthly.
2. Summer Growth
Once nighttime temperatures stay around 60°F in early summer, move your amaryllis outside. Choose a sunny, well-ventilated spot that receives four to six hours of sunlight daily, but avoid hot areas with direct sunlight.
If you lack outdoor space or sufficient natural light, supplement with plant grow lights. Continue to water regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist without overwatering, and feed the plant every 2-4 weeks while it is actively growing.
3. Start Dormancy
In autumn, you should decide when you want your amaryllis to bloom again. If you hope for flowers around Christmas, the bulb needs to begin its dormant period in late August.
Stop watering and fertilizing allow the leaves to yellow naturally. When the foliage has fully withered, cut it off. You can leave the bulb in its pot or place it in a paper bag, then store it in a cool, dark, dry place (a garage or basement is ideal) for 2–3 months.
4. Wake the Bulb
After dormancy, remove the bulbs and transplant them into fresh growing medium, then water them thoroughly. This watering will encourage the plant to break dormancy and begin growing again.
Place the bulb in a warm, bright room. Gentle bottom heat, such as from a seedling heat mat, can help it wake more quickly. Within six to eight weeks, new leaves and a flower stalk should appear, followed by blooms during the holiday season.
Will Amaryllis Bloom Without Dormancy
Most amaryllis can bloom without a dormancy period, particularly evergreen varieties that grow year-round. However, common holiday hybrids produce better-quality flowers and bloom more predictably when given a short rest period.
How Many Times Will an Amaryllis Bloom
An amaryllis bulb typically blooms once per year, producing one or sometimes two flower stalks per cycle. With consistent care, they can rebloom for several consecutive years, sometimes 5-10 years or more. The exact number of blooms depends on the bulb’s size, age, and growing conditions.
