Amaryllis can rebloom for years if you give them the right TLC.
Peter Krumhardt
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) are popular indoorwinter and holiday plants.
Amaryllis can rebloom for years if you give them the right TLC.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Keep amaryllis well away from pets or small children because all parts are toxic.
When an amaryllis flower wilts, remove it immediately so the plant doesnt waste energy forming a seed pod.
Once a stalk withers and turns brown, cut if off about an inch above the bulb.
Soon, strappy leaves will grow and drape themselves over your windowsills.
The largest amaryllis bulbs will yield the most flowers.
Amaryllis originated in Central and South America in locationswhere winter temperatures are cool but don’t hit freezing.
you could recreate that environment and nourish the bulb with a summer vacation and a fall retreat.
Treat the amaryllis like a houseplant once the leaves are growing.
It will thrive in bright, indirect light.
Keep the soil lightly moist, anduse all-purpose houseplant fertilizeronce a month.
The amaryllis isn’t a tropical plant looking for the next monsoon.
An amaryllis needs to be in the dark, without water, to trigger dormancy.
Extra points if you have a cool (50-55F) space to stash it.
Unheated garages and basement closets are potentially suitable hiding places.
Don’t cut off the leaves.
They will gradually turn brown, continuing to feed the bulb as they dry up.
Set a reminder or mark your calendar to check on the amaryllis bulb after eight weeks.
If it’s started to push up green tips, bring it out.
With all this TLC, your amaryllis bulb should rebloom, but this isn’t necessarily a long-term relationship.
