Amaryllis is the easiest holiday bulb to grow indoors: pot it up, give it warmth and light, and huge trumpet flowers open a few weeks later. With the right care after flowering, the same bulb can bloom again every winter for years. This guide covers potting, watering and light, care after the flowers fade, the cool rest that brings it back into bloom, and why some bulbs refuse to flower.
Amaryllis care at a glance
| Stage | What to do |
|---|---|
| Potting | Pot 1–2 inches wider than the bulb; upper half of the bulb above the soil |
| Starting growth | 70–75°F; water once, then keep the mix barely moist until growth appears |
| Growing | Sunny window; water more often; turn the pot daily so the stalk grows straight |
| In flower | 65–70°F, out of direct sun, so flowers last longer |
| After flowering | Cut the stalk 1–2 inches above the bulb; keep the leaves; feed every 2–4 weeks |
| Rest for rebloom | 8–10 weeks at 50–55°F in autumn |
| Pets | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA) |
Amaryllis or Hippeastrum?
The bulbs sold as “amaryllis” for the holidays are actually Hippeastrum, native to tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas. The true genus Amaryllis is the belladonna lily of South Africa, a different plant that flowers outdoors in late summer. Everything in this guide refers to the holiday Hippeastrum.
Choosing and potting the bulb
- Choose a large, firm bulb. Iowa State notes the biggest bulbs usually produce two or three flower stalks.
- Pick a snug pot. Use a pot with drainage holes, only 1–2 inches wider than the bulb.
- Use a well-drained potting mix. An all-purpose, well-drained potting soil works better than the small coir disks sold with some kits, which hold too little mix.
- Plant high. Leave the upper half of the bulb above the soil, and about 1 inch between the soil and the rim for watering.
- Water once thoroughly, then keep the mix barely moist until you see growth. Too much water before roots and leaves develop can rot the bulb.
- Keep it warm, about 70–75°F, to start growth.
When will it bloom? South African-grown bulbs usually flower 3–5 weeks after potting, Dutch-grown bulbs in 6–8 weeks. For Christmas flowers, pot in early to mid-November.
Care while it grows and flowers
- Light: once growth appears, move it to a sunny window.
- Water: water more often as leaves and the stalk grow, when the surface of the mix is nearly dry. Never leave the pot standing in water.
- Straight stems: turn the pot a little every day, since the stalk leans toward the light. Stake tall stalks that lean badly.
- Longer flowers: when the flowers open, move the plant out of direct sun to a slightly cooler spot (65–70°F).
Waxed amaryllis bulbs
Bulbs sealed in colored wax need no pot or water: a stalk appears in about 4–6 weeks and flowers last up to three weeks. They are meant to be used once. You can remove the wax and pot the bulb afterward, but Iowa State notes reblooming is possible, not reliable.
After flowering: feed the bulb for next year
Next year’s flowers depend on the food the leaves store in the bulb this year, so the months after flowering matter most.
- Cut off the faded flower stalk 1–2 inches above the bulb. Do not cut the leaves.
- Keep the plant in a sunny window and water when the surface of the mix is nearly dry.
- Feed every 2–4 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength.
- In late May, after frost, move it outdoors: harden it off in shade for 2–3 days, then give it part sun. Sinking the pot into the ground keeps it from drying out quickly.
- Keep feeding once or twice a month through July.
- Bring it indoors in mid-September, before cold nights.
How to make amaryllis bloom again
Amaryllis needs a cool period of about 8–10 weeks at 50–55°F before it will flower again. Iowa State describes two ways to give it:
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Dry rest (classic) | In late September, move the pot to a cool, dim spot and stop watering. Cut off the leaves once they turn brown. Keep the bulb at 50–55°F for at least 8–10 weeks, then water it and move it to 70–75°F to start growth. |
| Green rest | Keep the plant in its pot with its leaves, in a well-lit spot at 50–55°F from fall until early or mid-winter, then move it to 70–75°F. |
Once you move it back into warmth, care for it like a newly potted bulb. Flowers usually follow within several weeks.
Why won’t my amaryllis bloom?
- Too little stored food: the leaves did not get enough light or fertilizer in spring and summer. Grow it in more sun and feed more regularly next season.
- No cool period: the bulb needs 8–10 weeks at 50–55°F before it will flower.
- A small bulb: bulbs from offsets or weak plants may need a year or two of good growth before flowering.
Is amaryllis toxic to pets?
Yes. The ASPCA lists amaryllis as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. It contains lycorine and related compounds that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abdominal pain, lethargy, loss of appetite and tremors. Keep bulbs and plants out of reach of pets, and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center if a pet eats any part of it. If you want a pet-safe holiday plant, a Christmas cactus is listed as non-toxic.
For more holiday plants, see our guide to poinsettia care.
More holiday plant guides: growing paperwhites and Norfolk Island pine care.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cut the leaves off after my amaryllis flowers?
No. Cut only the flower stalk. The leaves make the food that next year’s flowers depend on. Remove them only when they turn brown during the autumn rest.
How long do amaryllis flowers last?
Several weeks, especially if the plant is kept out of direct sun and a little cooler (65–70°F) once the flowers open. A large bulb with two or three stalks extends the show.
Can I plant amaryllis outside?
In cold-winter areas, grow it outdoors in its pot for the summer only and bring it in by mid-September. It is not frost hardy.
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension, All About Amaryllis (Hippeastrum vs Amaryllis, potting, temperatures, time to bloom, after-bloom care, summer care, dormancy methods, reasons for no flowers, waxed bulbs).
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Amaryllis (toxic to cats, dogs and horses; symptoms).
