Amaryllis care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Amaryllis

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 4 days

Right after planting, water sparingly until growth starts; once leaves and the flower stalk are up, water well whenever the topsoil dries, as a guide.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 10 days

Water less and less as the leaves yellow, and stop once they die back so the bulb goes dormant, as a guide.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every month

Dormant bulbs get almost no water; a bulb left in its pot is moistened only lightly about once a month.

Light and placement for Amaryllis

From spring to fall it wants full sun outdoors or a bright window, as a guide; too little light gives leaves but few flowers next year, and if strong midsummer sun scorches the leaves, move it to light shade.

Overwintering Amaryllis

Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above

Tender to frost: once the leaves die in fall, stop watering and store the bulb, in its pot or lifted, dry at about 5–10°C where it cannot freeze, then replant in fresh soil in March or April.

Fertilizing and repotting Amaryllis

Fertilizer

From sprouting until the leaves die in fall, slow-release fertilizer about monthly or liquid feed about every two weeks; keep feeding after bloom while the leaves grow, and stop during dormancy.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Amaryllis

• Watered heavily right after planting, the bulb rots before it can root.
• Left outside in its pot over winter, the bulb freezes.
• Cutting the leaves after bloom leaves the bulb thin and flowerless next year.

Tips for growing Amaryllis

• Plant with the top third of the bulb above the soil so it is less likely to rot.
• After flowering cut the stalk near the base and grow the leaves on until fall to fatten the bulb.
• The big flowers are top-heavy: stake early and use a heavy pot that will not tip.

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