Amaryllis bulb planting is super simple and one of the easiest houseplants to take care of after they are done blooming. Watch our quick video on how to plant a single Amaryllis bulb or read the steps below!
Potting an Amaryllis:
- Choose an amaryllis bulb that is firm. The bulb may or may not have roots, which is ok.
- Select a pot with drainage that is 1-2” inches wider than your amaryllis bulb and a standard depth (i.e. not a shallow pot).
- Fill the pot halfway up with a well-draining potting mix.
- Set the amaryllis bulb into the pot making sure it is centered in the pot and add more potting mix until the bulb is half covered.
- Tap gently on the potting surface to help the potting mix settle. Add more potting mix as needed, but make sure the bulb sticks a little less than halfway out.
- Water gently to help the potting mix settle and provide moisture to the bulb roots.
- Place the pot in a warm sunny location (indirect bright light) in your house (south and west windows are best during the winter).
- Water sparingly until the bloom stalk begins to emerge. After that water thoroughly, about once a week, when the top 2” of potting mix have dried.
*Additional tips and tricks
- Plant or restart your bulb 6-8 weeks before you want it to bloom. For holiday blooms, you’ll want to plant the bulb in early November.
- No need to fertilize while blooming.
- Rotate the pot 180 degrees every week. This will help the bloom stalk grow upright instead of leaning towards the light
- Dependent on amaryllis variety, some will produce leaves first and some will produce the bloom stalk first.
- Add décor as desired, including but not limited to pinecones, moss, berries, and holiday picks.
After Blooming Care:
- Once the blooms are done, cut back the bloom stalk to the top of the bulb. The bulb, if it did not before blooming, will produce long slender green leaves. Keep your plant in indirect bright light and water as needed.
- Once the nighttime temps are 50F or above outdoors, acclimate your plant outside. A location with bright filtered light is best.
- Keep your plant outside all summer until the temps drop again. Fertilize every other week with an all purpose fertilizer and water when the top couple inches of soil is dry.
- In the fall, once the temps drop to around 50F bring your plant into a dark cool area and stop watering to induce dormancy.
- Once the leaves yellow then brown and die back, cut them off about an inch above the bulb.
- Leave your plant in a cool dark place for 1-2 months.
- When you are ready to start the bloom process for the season, move the pot into a warm sunny location and water. Water sparingly until the bloom stalk begins to emerge. After that water thoroughly, about once a week, when the top 2” of potting mix have dried.