Grow Your Amaryllis Bulbs for Years!

Did you buy or receive Amaryllis bulbs over the holiday season? I think a lot of folks toss them after they’ve bloomed but I’m hoping to change that habit with this blog post!

Amaryllis bulbs either come in a box with some potting mix and a pot or the bulbs come encased in wax. No matter which type you ended up with, I want you to know they will grow (and bloom) for years with a little care.

Let’s talk about the Amaryllis bulbs that are encased in wax. This is a relatively new thing: they don’t require any water or fertilizer so they’re definitely low-maintenance. After the bulbs have bloomed, carefully peel off the wax coating. When you’re at the root area, be careful so you don’t damage that part of the bulb.

If you live in hardiness zones 9-11, you can plant your bulbs outdoors where they can grow year-round. But in colder zones (I’m in zone 5b), you’ll need to grow them in pots indoors during the cold months of the year.

To pot up the (previously) waxed Amaryllis, fill the bottom quarter of a pot with a sterile potting soil. Sprinkle in a bit of slow-release fertilizer and then add more potting soil to about the halfway point. Place the bulb on top of it and continue filling with potting soil to just below where the bulb narrows (near the top). Give it some water and place the pot into a bright area of your home.

When the danger of frost has passed, you can move your pot(s) of Amaryllis outdoors to a deck or somewhere that’s sheltered from direct sunlight. Water them whenever the soil dries out and fertilize them monthly with a houseplant fertilizer for plants that bloom.

Before the first fall frost, bring your plants indoors. Move them to a dark location and stop watering them. The leaves will die and dry up and you’ll probably think you’ve killed them. I know that sounds harsh but this really works!

After 3 to 4 months, you can move them back to a bright room. Remove the dead leaves and give the bulbs some water. Before you know it, the bulbs will start coming back to life. When you see the tips of the leaves (or flowering stalk) start to emerge, give them some fertilizer. You’ll soon get to enjoy more gorgeous flowers.

We’ve had most of our bulbs for years and they haven’t disappointed us yet. They’re just amazing!

One last thing: did you know that Amaryllis bulbs are misnamed? They’re actually Hippeastrum but everyone (at least in the States) calls them Amaryllis, which is a completely different plant. Oh well! I realize I probably can’t change that but wanted to bring it up.

Enjoy your Amaryllis bulbs!