Amaryllis plants are a stunning type of perennial that belongs to the Hippeastrum family. They are usually grown indoors and forced to bloom during the winter holiday season. Proper care after flowering can extend the lifespan of these beautiful plants for several years.
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Amaryllis bulbs are fast-growing and easy to cultivate, producing vibrant, showy flowers in just a few weeks. Although some individuals discard the bulbs once the blooms fade, they are simple to preserve for future use. In Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, these robust bulbs can be planted in gardens to produce stunning flowers each spring. The bulbs are frost-sensitive but thrive outdoors in cooler regions during the summer and can continue blooming indoors for several winters with minimal assistance. Some Hippeastrum cultivators even hand down bulbs from one generation to the next as cherished family heirlooms, lasting for decades.
If you are ready to start your own flowering heirlooms, follow these easy steps to care for amaryllis after flowering:
Treat Hippeastrum varieties as any green, growing plant after flowering if you desire to see them bloom in future seasons. Deadhead spent flowers and regularly water and fertilize. When the flowers wilt, use a clean, sharp knife or scissors to cut the stems a few inches above the bulb’s neck, leaving the strappy foliage. Leaves are necessary for bulbs to bloom again the following season because they recharge food reserves through photosynthesis. Place bulbs in containers where they have access to bright light, and keep watering regularly while allowing the soil surface to dry out between applications. After removing spent blooms, apply a bulb-booster fertilizer with a lower nitrogen to phosphorus and potassium ratio, such as 5-10-10 NPK, which promotes blooming. In the spring, you can move your plants outdoors to bask in the warmth and sunshine or keep them indoors in a brightly lit location, with regular watering and a slow-release bulb-booster fertilizer applied in mid-spring. Following the instructions in the Force into Dormancy section of the article below in mid-August will help you have another season of indoor winter flowers. When the danger of frost has passed and temperatures stay above 50° F overnight, you can move your pots outside. In Zones 9 to 11, plants can be transplanted into garden beds.
Preparing your potted bulbs for the outdoors requires a gradual process of acclimatization to their new environment. First, place them in a partially shaded and protected site for a few days, then move them to an area with morning sun and afternoon shade for an additional week. In hotter areas, it’s best to provide afternoon shade to protect them from intense sunshine. Nestling the pots into the soil helps protect the roots, while applying slow-release fertilizer in the spring promotes healthy growth. Keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
To ensure another season of indoor flowers, you’ll need to force the growing plants into dormancy. Bring the potted plants indoors to a brightly lit location in mid-August, withholding water and fertilizer. Remove wilted and brown foliage, and then move them to a cooler, semi-dark location until late September, continuing to withhold water and fertilizer. In late September, trim bulbs of all foliage and remove them from the soil. Gently clean the bulbs, leaving the roots in place, and nestle them into a bed of peat moss or perlite.
Forced bulbs require at least eight weeks of chilling to induce flowering. Place them in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated environment, such as a cellar or unheated garage, with temperatures ranging between 40-50°F. After resting and chilling for eight to ten weeks, plant bulbs in fresh, humus-rich, and well-draining potting soil. Set the pots in a bright, sunny location, water thoroughly, and wait for new growth to emerge before following care routines.
If planted in appropriate zones, forced bulbs will revert back to their natural habit of blooming in spring. Choose a well-draining site with full to part sun, slightly acidic soil, and avoid windy areas that can damage tall stems. Mix bone meal into the soil for strong roots and plant bulbs up to their necks, leaving the top third of the bulb and foliage exposed. Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry and feed with slow-release fertilizer in spring and summer.
With proper care, your amaryllis bulbs can continue to blossom for years, adding beautiful blooms to your winter homescape. To learn more about growing and caring for amaryllis flowers, check out our comprehensive guides. If you have any tips on saving bulbs, share them in the comments section.
