Like all plants, amaryllis have specific preferences when it comes to watering, feeding, location and temperature. And these factors need to be taken into consideration to give it the best care possible. Follow our advice, and you can help your amaryllis thrive all year round and even bloom again. Here’s how to care for an amaryllis.
How to care for an amaryllis
Watering
Amaryllis are less picky than most plants when it comes to watering, but they still require regular attention. You should water the soil around your bulb until it runs through into the tray or saucer underneath; leave the soil moist rather than sopping or soggy. Then, once drained, tip any excess water out of the tray. The soil should be left to dry before watering again. Avoid overwatering your amaryllis, otherwise the bulb will rot. You can tell when your amaryllis is thirsty because the top two inches of the soil will be dry to the touch — you can use your finger to check this. How often your plant requires watering will depend on the ambient temperature of the room and its location. However, as a rule of thumb, twice a week is standard.
Location and temperature
You amaryllis likes a bright environment, but don’t expose it to direct sunlight for too long, or you’ll risk burning its leaves. Ideally, you want indirect sunlight or early morning sun, so an east-facing windowsill would be ideal. It will happily grow in temperatures of 50-55°F, however warmer temperatures of 70-75°F will speed things up. These plants require average humidity levels, so don’t worry about misting them. Of course, your amaryllis can also be grown outside when the temperature permits as well. Just make sure it has access to indirect sunlight and part shade during the day. When the temperature drops, you will either need to bring your amaryllis back indoors, or take the necessary measures to protect it from frost over the coming months. Placing your amaryllis outdoors over the summer can help promote fresh blooms later in the year.
Pest control
You will need to keep a keen eye out for pests as well because all kinds of visitors can make a home of your amaryllis. Mealybugs and spider mites are pretty common — look out for small white beetles and fine webbing for evidence of these. Bulb mites can also burrow their way into the bulbs and cause irreparable damage. Get the necessary insecticide to deal with them and quarantine your plant away from the others until it’s clear. Red blotch is a well-known problem as well. This fungal disease leaves red stains on the leaves and the bulb itself, eventually impairing the growth. Sadly, little can be done if your amaryllis shows symptoms of this.
Pruning
- Pruning — Once your amaryllis has finished flowering and the stalk starts to yellow, it will need to be pruned back. Use a pair of the best pruning shears — be sure to use bypass rather than anvil — to cut the stalk diagonally an inch above the bulb. It’s better to cut diagonally because any water will run off the cut in the future.
Reblooming
If you want your amaryllis to bloom again, which is entirely possible, you can give it a helping hand. Generally speaking, these plants require anywhere from 6-10 weeks to bloom, so if you want it blooming in time for the holidays, you’re going to have to start working on it from the early fall. You want your amaryllis to be situated outdoors over the summer months for the best chance of new blooms. Then, from the start of September, slowly reduce its water and fertilizer — this tricks it into dormancy, which will last several weeks. The leaves will brown and die, but don’t be alarmed; just cut these off as they occur. Then from mid-end October, you can move your amaryllis indoors and recommence watering. This will drive your amaryllis to flower again.
Repotting
Remember, when you first plant your amaryllis bulb, you don’t want to fully submerge it in the soil — leave the top third of the bulb exposed and make sure it’s aimed directly upwards for growth. Ideally, you want to leave about an inch of soil around the bulb. For more planting tips, tricks, and how-tos, check out our guides on how to prune hydrangeas, how to care for succulents and how to plant sunflower seeds.
