01/08/2026
Some of you may be encouraged to try to rebloom your amaryllis if you read this post.
The care that you give your potted amaryllis after blooming is crucial. If you give your plant the right growing conditions, it will reward you, and the results will be spectacular.
Here is an amaryllis that I bought and potted up over a year ago. It went through a bloom cycle, lots of foliage growth, a dormancy period, and here we are starting it all over again. Since last year, the bulb has increased in size AND it's getting two pups and has 2 visible flower stalks.
Here are some crucial pieces of care information for your amaryllis to thrive. I've been growing them for over 2 decades, and the results are very repeatable, and it is EASY once you know what they like!
First off, these plants need TONS of light. After they bloom, you need to let the leaves grow all the way until the autumn which is when you induce dormancy (make sure you read to the end where I describe the process.)
These plants need direct sun, and lots of it. So give your plants the sunniest window that you have. And if you don't have a super sunny window, consider a good grow light.
You know that you're not receiving enough light if the leaves are green but weak and floppy. Not to mention, having enough light is crucial so that your bulb can be strong enough to bloom the following season.
In the summertime, I place my potted amaryllis plants outside. If you can't place it outdoors, just keep it in the brightest/sunniest spot you have indoors. If you CAN put the potted plant outdoors, do it. The intensity of light outside is much higher, and it will greatly benefit your plants. But don't place it right away into full sun or you will burn the foliage!
You need to acclimate your plant slowly to higher light. Start slow and place your plants in complete shade for a few days. Then give it maybe a little morning sun for an hour or two, and do that for a few days. Do this until you reach the point where you have your plant in the sunniest spot possible. You can not acclimate your plant too slowly...but if you do it too quickly, your plants will burn.
Another super important aspect is fertilization. I like to use a bulb fertilizer (I like Bulb Tone) and simply mix it into the soil and it serves as a slow-release fertilizer. In addition to this, I also like to feed with fish emulsion every 1-2 weeks all summer long. I only use fish emulsion outdoors though because it's stinky!
I prefer to grow my amaryllis in terracotta pots because it encourages a healthy root system. I wait until the surface of the soil is dry (maybe an inch down) and then water. It's really as simple as that. Remember that during hot weather outdoors, you'll have to water pretty frequently.
Then come Autumn, usually around late September or October or so, I will completely cut off all water, place the potted plants in a sheltered spot where it won't get any rain, and I'll let all the foliage completely yellow and die off. You can also place it in a cool, darker location during dormancy. Cool temps are fine during this time, but keep it above freezing. I've left my plants in dormancy even for a couple months or longer.
Then after that time, maybe in mid to late Auturmn or so, cut back the dead foliage, return your potted plant to a sunny window again, give it some water, and wait for the flower stalks to appear! Go easy on the watering until you actually see new growth. If you repeat this whole process consistently, you will have gorgeous amaryllis year after year (and you will even get some pups that you can separate, or keep them in the same pot for a stunning specimen).
