Looking to brighten up your home with bold, colorful flowers? The amaryllis plant is a favorite among indoor gardeners — and for good reason. With its large trumpet-shaped blooms and rich, vibrant colors, it’s a real showstopper. But how do you keep this tropical beauty happy and healthy year-round?
In this simple, down-to-earth guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to take care of an amaryllis plant. Whether you’re prepping for its first flower show or bringing it back to life for another blooming season, this post has all the tips you need.
Let’s get started!
What Is an Amaryllis Plant?
Before we dive into plant care, let’s take a quick look at what makes the amaryllis so special. Amaryllis is a bulb plant, much like tulips or daffodils. But unlike most bulbs, this one is usually grown indoors. You’ll often see amaryllis displayed in pots during the winter holidays, showing off their tall green stalks and bright red, pink, or white flowers.
One of the best parts? With proper care, amaryllis bulbs can bloom year after year.
How to Take Care of an Amaryllis Plant: Step-by-Step
Caring for an amaryllis might seem tricky at first, but it’s easier than you think. Let’s break it down one step at a time.
1. Choosing the Right Pot
First thing’s first: give your amaryllis bulb a cozy home. These plants like their pots a little snug — not too roomy.
- Pick a pot that’s about 1 to 2 inches wider than the bulb.
- Make sure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent soggy soil (amaryllis roots hate sitting in water).
- Use a sturdy pot, as the flowers can get top-heavy when they start blooming.
A terracotta or ceramic pot works great, but any container will do as long as it drains well.
2. Planting the Bulb
Once you have the right pot, you’ll want to plant the amaryllis bulb correctly. This step is crucial for getting a healthy plant.
- Fill the pot halfway with well-draining potting soil.
- Place the bulb on top, roots down, then add more soil around the sides.
- Leave the top third of the bulb above the soil — don’t bury it completely!
Now give it a good drink of water and place it in a warm, sunny spot.
3. Watering the Right Way
Many people get tripped up here! Knowing how to take care of an amaryllis plant includes getting the watering routine just right.
- Water the plant thoroughly after you first plant the bulb.
- After that, water only when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Be careful not to overwater — too much water can cause the bulb to rot.
Think of watering as more of a slow dance than a sprint. Let the soil guide you.
4. Adding Light and Warmth
Amaryllis plants love light, especially during their growing season. If you want those beautiful blooms, you’ve got to simulate sunshine.
- Place your pot near a bright window with lots of indirect sunlight.
- If you live in a colder climate, keep it away from cold drafts or window sills that freeze over.
- A room temperature between 65°F to 75°F works best.
If your room is too dark, consider using a small grow light.
5. Supporting the Stalk
When everything goes right, you’ll notice long, green stalks growing quickly — sometimes several inches a week! But with all that height, the stalk can start to lean.
To help with this:
- Use a thin wooden stake or plant support to keep it upright.
- Tie the stalk gently using a soft string or garden tie.
Nobody wants a falling flower! Supporting the stalk early helps prevent accidents later on.
6. Encouraging Blooms
So when exactly will it flower?
If you planted your amaryllis bulb in late fall, you’ll usually see blooms within 6–10 weeks. It’ll start with stalks, followed by buds, and finally, those trademark eye-catching flowers.
Pro tip: Rotate the pot every few days to make sure the plant grows evenly and straight.
After the Bloom: Post-Flower Care
Once the flowers fade, don’t throw away the plant! Knowing how to take care of an amaryllis plant after blooming is what sets casual growers apart from mindful ones.
1. Remove Spent Flowers
After the blooms begin to wilt:
- Snip off the flower stalk about one inch above the bulb.
- Leave the leaves in place — they help feed the bulb for next year!
Think of it as your plant taking in its post-performance applause. It needs time to recharge.
2. Keep It Growing
Long after the blooms are gone, the plant keeps working behind the scenes.
- Keep watering the plant regularly.
- Move it outdoors in warmer seasons, if possible, to soak up more light.
- Fertilize once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer to strengthen the bulb.
These steps will help the bulb build up the energy it needs for another round of flowering.
How to Prepare for Re-Blooming
Want your amaryllis to bloom again next winter? Here’s how to make it happen.
Start the Dormancy Period
Amaryllis needs a rest before producing flowers again.
- Stop watering in early fall (around September).
- Let the leaves yellow and die back on their own.
- Once the leaves are gone, move the pot to a cool, dark place. A basement or closet works perfectly.
- Leave it alone for 8 to 10 weeks.
This rest period gives the bulb time to reset.
Bring It Back to Life
After the dormant period:
- Move the pot back to a warm, bright spot.
- Start watering again — but go slow at first.
- New stalks and leaves will begin to emerge, leading to a fresh round of blooms.
And just like that, the cycle starts all over again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Taking care of an amaryllis is straightforward, but a few missteps can throw things off. Here are some traps to avoid:
- Overwatering: This is the most common mistake. Bulbs rot easily, so less is more here.
- No dormancy: Without a rest period, your amaryllis may not bloom again.
- Not enough light: These plants love sunshine. A dark corner won’t do the trick.
- Neglecting the bulb after blooming: Caring for it year-round sets it up for success.
Keep these tips in mind, and you’re already ahead of the game.
Final Thoughts on How to Take Care of an Amaryllis Plant
Amaryllis plants are showy, stunning, and surprisingly easy to care for — once you know what they need. From choosing the right pot, to watering smartly, to giving your bulb a well-deserved rest, these plants reward your effort with gorgeous, trumpet-shaped blooms that brighten up any space.
And the best part? You can do the whole cycle again and again for years to come.
Now that you know how to take care of an amaryllis plant, why not grab a bulb and get started? With a little love and some patience, your home could be blooming with color in no time.
