Marianne's Response

Saving amaryllis after it blooms

How do you care for amaryllis if you want to save the plant after it blooms?

Posted by darlene davies on April 20, 2015

Marianne's Response

Amaryllis bulbs will rebloom as a houseplant, but first they must go through a resting period or dormancy as they would in the wild. Cut off the tall flower stalk when the flowers fade but continue to water the plant until the green leaves fade, turn yellow and fall off. This may take a few months. Then move the potted bulbs into a dark closet and withhold water and fertilizer for at least 90 days. Return the bulb to sunlight add just a half cup of water but do not fertilize until you see signs of new growth from the tip of the bulb. Next spring is when the amaryllis bulb will most likely wakeup and bloom again. The process is a bit tricky but those gigantic amaryllis blooms are worth the trouble. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti