Amaryllis
Hippeastrum spp. better known as Amaryllis is a native plant of South America. This bulb produces a spectacular cluster of flowers accompanied by long strap like leaves.
Even though amaryllis are generally grown during the winter months for the Holiday season, they also do well in the garden if you live in frost-free zones 9 and 10. Outdoors, they can be planted in the fall in full sun and well drained soil. Plant 1 ” or 1/3 of the bulb above the soil line and mulch during the winter. It should rebloom year after year in late spring or early summer.
Amaryllis forced for indoor winter blooming. Many bulbs kits are available starting in the fall that have all the necessary items needed. It usually includes pot, potting soil mix and of course the bulb along with instructions on planting or you can purchase bulbs online from several sources. Upon inspecting your bulb make sure that it is free of soft spots and blemishes and at least 2 1/2 inches in diameter. The bigger the bulbs size the better the flower or flowers will be.
Plant the bulb in a pot 1-2 inches larger than the diameter of the bulb. Use a well drained soil mix and place 1/3 to 1/2 of the bulb above the soil line-if planted too deep you will get leaves and no flowers. Water with lukewarm water and keep the soil moist but not saturated. Water when the top inch layer of soil is dry; too much water can cause the bulb to rot. Make sure the pot is well drained. Keep the bulb in a warm room with temperatures of above 60 degrees (70-80 is ideal during root development). If it is too cool in the house, try the top of the refrigerator for additional heat source. Once the bulb begins to sprout, place it in a sunny, warm location. When flowers appear (3-8 weeks after planting) move the plant out of direct sunlight. Be sure to rotate the pot to keep the flower stalk from leaning toward the light. Stake the stalk when necessary. To extend the life of the flower maintain the temperature around 65 degrees, remove the pollen-bearing stamens inside the flower and cut away off faded blooms.
REBLOOMING AMARYLLIS
When your amaryllis is done blooming you must allow the exhausted bulb to rebuild itself. Cut the finished blooms right below the pod. After all flowers are gone cut off the cylindrical stalk down to several inches above the bulb but not the large strap leaves, let them continue to grow on a sunny windowsill and feed monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer 10-10-10 . Once the weather warms up, place the plant outside in afternoon shade for the summer. In late summer/early fall bring the pot indoors, gradually reduce watering, allowing it to dry out. Once the foliage is yellow cut it off and place the pot undisturbed in a cool (55-60) room away from any ethylene gas exposure (eg. apples). Allow the amaryllis to go dormant for 8-10 wks. After dormancy, repot the bulb in light well drained soil such as a mix of peat and perlite, water and bring back into a heated, bright room.
There are many Amaryllis cultivars available from single large to double large and small single flowers as well as assorted colors. It definitely is worth the effort.
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Amaryllis seeds
I have an amaryllis that is at least 15 years old. It has sprouted additional bulbs along the way. It used to bloom twice a year for the first five years. Now is blooms like clockwork the end of February and continues until the end of April. It’s magnificent. I find this indoor potted plant to be very low maintenance. I live in Canada so sun can be low in the winter. It doesn’t seem to matter.
I do have a question. For the first time ever a few of the stems have grown what look to be seed pods. These are green and balloon like just at the base of the where the blossom connects. Do you know what they are and what I can do with them? Thank you, Daphne
I have a amaryllis.A red one it is done flowering and is growing seed pods can you grow another one from the seeds or should I just wait for a new little bulb to grow? Will letting the seed pods to grow ruin the mother plant? Janet
I separated the seeds from the dried pods and put them in the refrigerator. When is a good time to plant them in the greenhouse and is it worth the effort? Dennis B.
source:http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
Grow Amaryllis in water
I would very much like to grow one in water-a large vase-would just the roots go into water-and not the bulb itself? right? would I change the water or just add?
Amaryllis outdoors
It is great to have a place to ask questions! I have 10 bulbs that I planted after the frost in the ground, full sun, they are growing long beautiful green leaves, but it is July now and no flowers. I live in North Florida. We have had a lot of rain, could this affect the blooming? Do I just need to wait till next year to see the flowers? My first for growing this plant.
I bought the Amaryllis plant at Walmart because it was only $5.00 and now I have 2 beautiful salmon colored flowers with one more to bloom-I am at a lost what to do next-no green thumb here.
Dividing amaryllis
hello all,
i have double amaryllis varieties. about 14 of them
can any one tell me how to propogate them, as they don’t produce any seeds
I have an Amaryllis plant with beautiful colours. 4 Blooms with a smaller not yet open one left. We stacked it, but while gone on a weekend vacation it toppled over and the stalk broke, the blooms are now in water, shoud I just keep watering the balance of the stalk and leaves or cut it down, and put it into dormant stage and try again in a few months. I live in Canada and I don’t think our summer is long enough to plant out of doors. The smaller pod I also dont know what to do with.
My mom removed the skin around the bulb. Will it survive?
How tall does the Amaryllis usually get before it blooms? Mine is 38 inches tall and no blooms yet.
Not blooming
My mom gave me an amaryllis plant in January and here it is March and I haven’t seen any blooms? At first I was watering once a week and after that starting watering more often. How can I get mine to bloom or produce flowers?
Flower color change
We have a number of amaryllis in our yard in Houston that used to have red blooms, but have been mostly white for a couple of years. What has caused this? What can I do to get the red back?
Grow amaryllis from seed
I have just read on your site the way to grow amaryllis from seed. Unfortunately I just planted them straight into a pot instead of soaking or removing seeds with tweezers and allowing to germinate in water then plant.
Will my seeds germinate if left with black exterior sheath on them?
Can anyone advise please
I have had several bulbs in my yard for more years than I can remember. I thought the blooming would slow down as an indication that I should seperate them, but they just keep flowering. I’m not complaining, but the bulbs are coming out of the ground. I finally seperated them, but I’m not sure if I am supposed to replant the biggest, smallest or medium sized ones. From what I’ve read on your site, I think the little ones won’t bloom for two to three years. If I plant the biggest ones will they continue to bloom as previously? Should I plant a mixture of large and small?
Thanks for all the above information.
Does anyone have any idea about the pH (soil acidity) that amaryllis prefers? And, how can you tell which fertilizers have this pH?
Thanks.
How long does a cut amaryllis stem last?
This is an amazing site, which I return to repeatedly for all and any plant advice- thanks for the insights!
I have 2 Amaryllis bulbs, both bought as bulbs-in-a-box. After the 1st blooms, I cut the flower stems down, continued to water till end-summer, then allowed to dry out, stored the bulbs in the fridge (without any apples!) Having replanted them end-feb in pots, they’ve both grown 4-5 healthy leaves, but no blooms. I continue to water them when the top is dry. My quesn is will they flower eventually if I keep up with the watering? Do they need feeding right now while the leaves are green? Or should I go through the whole cycle again and hope for the best??
Thanks.
Grow Amaryllis in water
I love the way it looks in the glass, it’s a real eye catcher, but if the plant won’t survive, then so be it. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated. And I agree with many of the other people that visit that this is an awesome site, and it’s extremely informative as well! I’ve added it to my favorites, and I plan to frequent it from now on whenever I have any questions. Bravo! 
I just bought an Amaryllis last Friday, and it’s in a glass vase with stones. It is sprouting like crazy right now, with many leaves coming up, as well as two buds. I did read the question and response to a previous post, regarding the care and instructions while in water, and I understand that. However my question is can I keep it in water for as long as I own it, or do I need to repot it in regular potting soil after it comes out of it’s first dormancy period, or when do I need to if at all? I’m concerned that the plant may not get all of the nutrients it might need in water versus what it would get planted in soil, but I’m hopeful.
Can you force Papilio Improved to bloom at a certain time of the year and if so, how? How large do the bulbs need to be to bloom?
I live in North Central Florida. Around 3 years ago I was given some Amaryllis bulbs. These bulbs all bloomed the first year. Less bloomed last year and I had no blooms this year. I have read through the comments on this subject and I am wondering if my problem is that the bulbs are planted too deep. With the mulch added the entire bulb is buried. Do I need to dig up my bulbs and replant them leaving part of the bulb exposed? If I do need to do this when is a good time?
I’ve grown numerous amaryllis plants from seeds (hand pollinated) and now some of the mature plants have a grub (pupa/larva) in the bulbs. All plants are in containers or pots. The grub is about 1/8 inch thick and ¼ inch long and tunnels into the lower area leaving a reddish lining to its burrow in the bulbs. The infected plants gradually weaken and have to be removed and destroyed.
Based on this information can you determine what the pest might be and offer suggestions about how it can be prevented or controlled?
What’s the differences between amaryllis and hippeastrum.thanks
kasman
Bloom time
How long does the average Amaryllis bloom? I have one called Apple Blossom, do you have any idea how long it will flower?
Floppy leaves
The leaves on my Amaryllis are about a foot long but are obviously starting to fall over, should i put a stake in to keep them upright, this is an indoor plant and my first one. Any help appreciated
Poisonous bulb
Hello i was reading about the middle if the amaryllis being poisonous.
Are they that way with people and or other pets??
Or is it only if they eat it???
Are amaryllis plants toxic to cats? My daughter would love to grow them (indoors – we live in zone 4), but if a cat takes a nibble…? Thank you.
I have several Amaryllis in my home greenhouse. The leaves are getting very dusty. What is the best way to clean them? Thanks
I bought 2 Amaryllis bulbs from Walmart & potted them about 3wks ago. Both bulbs had already begun sprouting when I took them out of their box- now 3wks later, the sprouts have dried & fallen! The bulbs still look healthy enough, but there seems to be nothing happening with either. Were they duds?? They are in a warm spot with window light & I’ve only watered when the top is dry. Is there anything I should be doing to get them growing again? Thanks!
hi there,
ive just bought my very first amaryllis. it goes by the name of white peacock. ive potted it and watered it. somewhere on the internet i read that to force the bulb to start off with a bloom instead of leaves, one should water it only when its potted and them once a month. this makes the bulb force out a flower instead of leaves. is this true?
CHIPPING AMARYLLIS
There was some information in the garden section of our newspaper regarding dividing amaryllis bulbs. Newspaper has long been disposed. Do I cut them thru the center? if so when and how do you suggest I do so
Divide amaryllis
HI!
I live in South Florida, zone 10, and have been growing amaryllis in the ground for years–I adore them!!! I noticed that my plants look to have seed pods developing this year–I read the piece above which referred to “the water germination method”. Can you explain how I would do that, please?
Also my bulbs are getting awfully crowded and in need of being pulled up and separated–what is the best time to do that here in the south? They are still blooming now in mid-May–unbelievable–I’ve had blooms for the last three months by the dozens–prolific!!! And all colors and mixes! I just love them! And when I do dig them up, can I just go ahead and replant right away?
Your help will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks much!
Mary in South Florida (Amaryllis has my name in it!)
I live in NC Zone 7 and I have had my potted amaryllis outside all summer. Usually I take the bulbs out of the pots, clean all the soil off them and let them dry and then chill them for 8 weeks in the refrigerator. This year I want to try just bring the pots inside and letting the amaryllis go dormant in the pots for 8 weeks. What type product should I spray the container soil and bulbs with to get rid of any insects that might be in the soil or on the bulbs (slugs, aphids, gnats…)? Thanks
Mealy bugs
Last winter I had trouble with mealy bugs on my amaryllis is my heated hobby greenhouse. I left about 100 amaryllis (mid size bullets, about 40 different named amaryllis) in the greenhouse all summer long watering them occasionally. I know sometimes during the day the temperature got over 100 degrees and I still have mealy bugs on over half of the amaryllis. I cut the leaves down to just an inch long and sprayed with alcohol/water several times and still I have mealy bugs. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them.
love the info im finding here. have question on hippeastrum. i have many different kinds, i even had them grouped together in the same pots. some of them the leaves died on their own and some i cut while still green
(im new to these flowers and learning what NOT to do) i repotted the most of them into seperate pots, 3 of them woke up right away but im left with about 8 of them that are doing nothing. the bulb is firm and the neck of the bulb is green. will they wake on their own? am i just being impatient?
Hi! I bought the amaryllis bulb a year ago, put it in the pot and it started to grow well, but it didn’t give any flowers. for the whole year it was growing only leaves. I tried to water it less and to let it go dormant but it didn’t work. My husband told me to cut all the leaves off which i did (and i think it was the wrong thing to do), and now i have noticed the tops of the cut leaves started to rot. Can you give me any advice on what to do now? and is there any hope the bulb will survive at all?
Thanks for your help.
What is the name of the amaryllis at the top of this site? Thanks
Amaryllis flower bloom time
How long does an Amaryllis bloom last indoors?
(I.e., if I am trying to time its blooming for the holidays, should I err on the earlier side of the range of time within which it can be expected to bloom, because the blooms will last awhile, or is it important to get very close to the time you want the flowers to be open, because they only last, say, a few days?)
Laura
I just got two Amaryllis. The bulbs came in a glass container with black rocks. The instruction say to add 1 1/4 water. I just noticed the bulbs have no roots and they had a little mold where the roots had been cut off. The bulbs are large and look other wise healthy with sprouts about 5 inches long. I want to save the bulbs if possible. Should I plant them in soil? Any ideas you can give me? or is there no hope?
Thanks for your input!
Maria.
Slow to start
Hello,
Every year we purchase an amaryllis, and have had great luck. This year I bought one at a major retailer. It’s been planted for a week and a half, and has done absolutely nothing. Can anyone give me some hints on how to get it going, or is this one a dud? I have never had this happen before, and don’t know what to do differently. Thanks!
When I set my bulbs to sleep this year I didn’t realize how rootbound they bad become. Now that I have them out of the container to repot I don’t know if I should trim some of those roots or leave them. It took forever for the leaves to die back in the fall and I had to force the issue by withholding water, then finally cutting back the leaves. They were vigorous and produced beautiful greenery after a good bloom in the late spring. Now what? I don’t remember ever having roots like this before, round and round the inside of the pot and out the drainage holes. Any advice will be dutifully followed. Thanks
No flower stalk
I started growing my first amaryllis from a kit about 2 months ago. I has healthy looking 24-30″ leaves, but no sign of a flower stalk. Maybe it is planted too deep. Now what should I do?
.
Amaryllis slow to grow
Hi. I purchased an Amaryllis bulb kit for my parents for Christmas. Unfortunately, due to circumstance we were unable to plant the three bulbs untI il late Jan. At this time (Feb.23) only one bulb has grown substantial leaves without blooms. Should I remove the two bulbs that seem to be dormant? Thanks
Cut flowers slow to open
Question, I bought some cut Amaryllis flowers on Sunday of this week and they are still not opened completly. How long do they take to open completly?
Thanks!
Loosing leaves
Hi,
I have a plant that is loosing its leaves, but has a beautiful bloom. What am I doing wrong? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I just love those plants. Thanks
Hi,
Thanks for the great page!
We acquired a small Amaryllis at a fall fair for a few dollars. We let it grow for awhile. When it seemed to be ready to go dormant so we stopped watering and let the leaves die before cutting it back.
After 4 or 5 months we started watering it again and placed it in the front window. We didn’t get a flower just 3 leaves. I guess that must have been about a year ago (Until now I haven’t really thought it had been that long).
Anyway, in January I built an indoor garden with gro-lux bulbs and placed the plant under the lights and the plant seemed to still be going strong. After reading your page I was about to begin to force it into dormancy when I noticed a new leaf growing! It was followed shortly by a second new leaf. The Amaryllis now has 5 healthy leaves and has been growing for about 1 year!
This afternoon I just looked and saw something odd. Two little tiny leaves coming up the side of the bulb. I have never seen that before! Could it be forming a bulblet? I don’t think it has even flowered yet!
I am very curious to see what it will do in the future.
Thank you in advance for any insights you have into what is happening with my plant and how I can best care for it.
Jeff
Once again, I’ve tried to re-grow Amaryllis-
The two I have seen so far have grown to be between 49-55 cm tall.
I haven’t trimmed the roots, unless they are extremely long and winding. Last year I stored the bulbs, pot and all, in a cool spot in my apartment.From comments I’ve read, maybe it should be colder. I will try leaving them outside till the temperature falls below 10C; maybe that will help since I do keep fruit in the fridge and they can’t stay there. I also only fertilise in summer, every 2wks till fall when I slow down the watering.I’m determined to make them re-bloom and haven’t bought any new bulbs this year! Is there anything else I should try? The soil is potting mix from Miracle grow- should I change it? When I repot after dormancy, should I add fertiliser to give them a boost? Thanks once again for your advice- I will keep at it till I get some results!
I have had my Amaryllis indoor for three years, in SF, on top of a hill where the sun is unreliable; an understatement. It has three offshoots, and bloomed as expected up until 10 months ago. Now the middle and right will bloom, then the other side during the next period. Three weeks ago, one side sprouted a leaf and at four inches high, it just fell over.
Any ideas?
TIA!!!
I forgot to bring my amaryllis down into the basement for its dormant period after the leaves dried up and now it is sprouting again with leaves sticking up about 1 inch. Should I water it and let it continue to grow or bring it down into the dark cool basement? Thanks for your help!
Winter prepTwo questions: (1) As the leaves continue to be green long after watering has stopped, can they just be cut off before bringing inside for the winter? (2) Is it normal for the bulb to shrink quite a lot during the dormancy period when not watered?
Many thanks for your info!!!!!!!
Amaryllis not blooming
We have an Amaryllis that is red and planted properly. It’s a few years old and has 4 bulbs in one pot. The problem is it won’t bloom or grow a stalk for a flower. In the winter time I leave the bulbs in the pot and stop watering it, once the leave start to turn yellow. It’s stored in a dark, cool bedroom. How do I get flowers? I’ve never fertilized it. My boyfriend used to water it all year long, but I put a stop to that, so it could requperate. I’ve had it in the shade on the porch one year and this year in the sun untill noon then it’s shaded by the tree. Still no stalk or flowers, lots of good looking leaves. What am I doing wrong? It’s been 2 years and I’ve never seen it bloom.
Amaryllis cut flower
I love to share my amaryllis flowers with elderly friends, and they love to receive them. However, I do not want to part with my nice bulb. How do you treat the amaryllis flower stalk as it is hollow? Does the stalk require searing as do some cut flowers? Also, any ideas on what to put with the stalk to make the arrangement even more appealing?
Many thanks for your great service.
Getting ready for dormancy
Hi,
I bought an amaryllis last year. I put it in the basement for many weeks and brought it up. It has four new leaves, but the leaves keep falling over. What should I do? This is my first plant that I’ve had to put in a dormant period and it’s also my first bulb plant.
Thank you!