How Should An Indoor Amaryllis Plant Be Maintained?

Growing an amaryllis indoors can be a rewarding and easy-care experience. The plant requires full sun, indirect light, and a cool, sunny spot with minimal moisture. The Amaryllis ‘Royal Velvet’ flowers are deep and beautiful, but they require a little bit of morning sun and bright, indirect light for optimal growth.

To care for an indoor amaryllis plant, place it in a bright, warm area (70-80°F) with a dry soil. Water the bulb only when the top inch of soil is dry to prevent rot, especially before the flower stalk matures. Place the pot in a cool, dark place (60-65°F) with bright, indirect light, and leave the plant in water at half the recommended amount.

For best results, grow the amaryllis in a relatively cool room (60-65°F) with bright, indirect light. The first thing to emerge from the bulb is usually a bud, and the flower bulbs should be placed in a cool and dark place. It is important not to let the plant sit in water as wet soil can promote bulb and root rot and attract pests.

Fertilize amaryllis each time you water at half the recommended amount. Plant the bulb in good potting soil, water regularly, and provide bright, indirect light. Use a support stake to keep the blooms upright. Place the pot in a brightly lit spot on a windowsill and water sparingly until it shoots. Increase the watering to keep the soil moist.

In summary, growing an amaryllis indoors requires careful planning and care. The plant thrives in temperatures between 60° to 70°F (15.5° to 21°C), and the best conditions include a cool, sunny spot with minimal moisture and a support stake for upright blooms.

How often do you water an amaryllis indoors?

To care for an amaryllis plant, place it in a large container with a loose potting mix and find a sunny, warm indoor home. Water the plant regularly, ensuring the soil remains moist. Turn the pot occasionally to maintain a straight stem. The plant should bloom after 4-8 weeks.

After blooming, trim the stem to 6 inches above the bulb and keep the leaves attached for photosynthesis. Move the plant to an outdoor location with filtered sunlight until September. Water the flower regularly until September, then bring the pot inside, prune all leaves, and store it in a cool, dark place. In December, bring the pot into the light, water it, and place it in a sunny window to restart the process. Turn the pot occasionally to maintain its shape.

How to keep amaryllis blooming longer indoors?

Amaryllis, known for their large indoor blooms in winter, are easy to regrow annually. To plant, use a 6-7″ pot for individual bulbs or a large container like a punch bowl for 3-5 bulbs. Moisten potting soil with warm water until damp but not wet. Fill the pot halfway, place the bulb with spread-out roots, and add more soil, leaving half to a third of the bulb exposed. Lightly firm the soil and water slightly. Place the pot in a bright, warm area (70-80°F) and water only when the top inch of soil is dry to prevent rot.

Be patient as growth can take weeks. Once the stem appears, ensure ample bright light and rotate the pot to prevent leaning towards the light. Move the plant out of direct sunlight to extend flower life. Trim fading blooms close to the stalk to encourage more flowers.

How long does an indoor amaryllis last?

Amaryllis blooms last about 3 weeks, and to rebloom, remove dying blooms and yellow stalks. Plant outside in summer, water and fertilize regularly, and bring back indoors before the first frost in autumn. Store the bulb in a cool, dark area for 6-8 weeks. Once a flower fades, cut it where it meets the main stalk, removing the green lump and thin green stem that attaches the flower to the stalk. This prevents the plant from producing seeds, focusing on survival and growth.

Do amaryllis need full sun?

Amaryllis bulbs are more robust and produce more flowers when grown in full sun, but in hot climates, strong afternoon sunlight and high temperatures can stress the plants and cause leaf scorching. To ensure the best combination of sun and shade, plant the bulbs in containers during the first growing season. Amaryllis are native to arid climates and require very little moisture, so plant them in a well-drained area where water will not collect, especially during winter months when the bulbs are dormant. If a suitable location is not available, grow them in pots and choose a location that protects tall stems and big blossoms from strong wind and heavy downpours.

What do you do with amaryllis bulbs after they bloom?

After the amaryllis stops flowering, it can be revived by cutting old flowers from the stem and sag the stem back to the top of the bulb. Continue watering and fertilizing the bulb for at least 5-6 months, allowing the leaves to fully develop. When the leaves begin to yellow, cut them back to 2 inches from the top and remove the bulb from the soil. Store the bulb in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator for at least 6 weeks, avoiding storing it in a refrigerator containing apples. After 6 weeks, remove the bulbs and plant them 8 weeks before they bloom.

What is the lifespan of an amaryllis?

Amaryllis bulbs are exceptionally long-lived, with flowers fading each season. They can be brought back into bloom for at least 20 years or more if cared for properly. Once finished blooming, remove faded blooms from the stem and cut only the stem back to the top of the bulb’s neck. Place the potted bulb in a window with bright indirect light, water it regularly for 12-16 weeks or through the summer months, and fertilize it twice a month with a water-soluble fertilizer.

In late August, when the foliage yellows and becomes floppy, cut it back to the top of the bulb’s neck. Stop watering and fertilizing, and allow the soil to dry out. Store the dry potted bulb in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks. The bulb’s rest period should begin in early September and end in late October for Christmas blooms.

How many times can an amaryllis bloom?

Amaryllis bulbs bloom at different times each season, with most producing 2 or 3 cycles. The initial set of blooms typically appear 4-8 weeks after planting, followed by more within 1-3 weeks. For robust amaryllis, a third set of buds and blooms may appear within a couple of weeks. When the flower dies, remove the entire stalk and spent flowers, cutting the stem down to near soil level. Amaryllis naturally produces a series of flowers each season after planting, and if desired, follow these steps the following season.

What do I do when my amaryllis has finished flowering?

To successfully grow and reflower amaryllis bulbs, follow proper cultural practices. Cut off the flower stalk after the flowers fade, 1 to 2 inches above the bulb, without damaging the foliage. The plant must replenish its depleted food reserves, which are manufactured by strap-like leaves. Place the plant in a sunny window and water when the soil surface is nearly dry. Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution.

To move the amaryllis outdoors in late May, harden it by placing it in a shady, protected area and gradually exposing it to longer periods of direct sun. After hardening, select a site in partial to full sun and dig a hole for the pot. Water the plant during dry weather and fertilize it once or twice a month through July. Bring the plant indoors in mid-September and water and fertilize as if placed outside.

When should I throw away my amaryllis?

Storing amaryllis bulbs can be time-consuming and unpredictable, so it’s best to treat them like fresh flowers. Once a bulb has finished blooming, it’s thrown out. Longfield Gardens offers a variety of planted bulbs, including perennials, indoor bulbs, and specials. To learn more about their services, visit their website, contact them, and check out their FAQ, shipping, blog, and hardiness zone map.

Can you leave amaryllis in pots?

To acclimate an amaryllis plant to the outdoors, start by placing it in shade or indirect light, then move it to a location with full sun for at least 6 hours daily. Choose a sunny location on a deck or patio or sink the entire pot into the soil. Fertilize monthly with an all-purpose houseplant or indoor plant fertilizer to build up nutrients for flower production the next year. Amaryllis plants should be brought indoors before the first frost in the fall, as they cannot survive frost or freezing temperatures. Amaryllis do not require a rest or dormant period, but can be controlled by allowing the bulb to go dormant for a period, allowing it to use very little energy reserves.

Do amaryllis like sun or shade?

Amaryllis is a plant that can be planted anytime, but is best transplanted during winter months. It is sun- and shade-tolerant, but thrives in light shade under pine trees. To ensure optimal growth, well-drained soils are essential. If the site doesn’t drain properly, create a raised bed for improved drainage. The bulbs are hardy and can be planted with minimal effort. To improve performance, till the soil and amend with organic matter, such as peat or compost, and 2 to 3 pounds of 6-6-6 or other complete fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed. Slow-release forms of mineral or organic fertilizer are best to minimize nutrient leaching into water resources.

Place the bulbs over the bed area in neat rows or naturalistic drifts, planting them 12 to 15 inches apart with the bulb’s neck protruding above ground. Water the newly planted amaryllis and keep them moist but not waterlogged until they are well-established.

Amaryllis plants can be left in the ground for years, but it is not necessary to dig, separate, and replant each year. Digging allows for discarding unhealthy bulbs, removing young offsets, and amending the bed with organic matter.