Amaryllis bulbs produce gorgeous, trumpet-shaped flowers during the winter months. Their spectacular blooms make amaryllis a popular gift plant for the holidays But what do you do with the bulbs once the flowers fade? Can you save amaryllis bulbs and get them to bloom again next year?
The good news is you don’t have to throw away your amaryllis bulbs after they are done blooming. With proper post-bloom care and storage you can get amaryllis bulbs to rebloom for many years to come.
In this article, I’ll explain when and how to store amaryllis bulbs after flowering so you can enjoy their stunning blooms season after season.
When to Store Amaryllis Bulbs
Timing is important when it comes to storing amaryllis bulbs. Here’s an overview of when to store the bulbs:
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Keep caring for the plant while it still has green leaves. This allows photosynthesis so the bulb can store energy.
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In late summer, allow the leaves to yellow and die back naturally.
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Once all leaves are dead, cut them off and allow the bulb to rest for 6-8 weeks.
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After the rest period, store the dormant bulbs for 6-8 weeks.
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In fall, take bulbs out of storage and plant them so they can bloom again.
Now let’s look at the details of post-bloom amaryllis care and proper bulb storage.
Caring for Amaryllis After Blooming
After your amaryllis finishes flowering, it’s important to allow the leaves to remain and grow. Don’t cut off any green leaves, because they provide energy to the bulb through photosynthesis. Here are the steps for post-bloom care:
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Cut off dead flowers, but keep the flower stalk intact if it remains green.
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Place the plant in a sunny window and keep watering and feeding regularly. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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In spring and summer, move amaryllis outside once temperatures are consistently above 50°F. Keep it in a spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Remember to water frequently when outside.
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Around August, stop fertilizing and reduce watering. This will allow the leaves to yellow and die back naturally.
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Bring the plant back indoors once night temps drop below 50°F in early fall.
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After all leaves have died back, cut them off. Leave about 1-2 inches of stem above the top of the bulb.
Now your amaryllis bulb is ready for its rest period before storing.
The Amaryllis Rest Period
Amaryllis bulbs need a rest period of around 6-8 weeks before you store them for the winter. This rest allows the bulb to “recharge” and prepare to bloom again.
There are two options for the rest period:
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Natural rest: Keep bulbs in a cool (55-60°F), dark place and water just enough to prevent shriveling. Allow the bulb to go dormant on its own around late fall.
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Forced rest: Stop watering completely and keep bulbs in a cool (55-60°F) place for 6-8 weeks. This forces dormancy earlier.
The forced rest works well if you want to time your amaryllis to bloom again for the holidays. Just count back 6-8 weeks from your desired bloom time.
After the rest period, the bulb is ready for storage.
Storing Dormant Amaryllis Bulbs
After the rest period, amaryllis bulbs should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place for 6-8 weeks. Here are a few tips for successful amaryllis bulb storage:
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Remove bulbs from potting soil, but leave any roots intact. Gently brush off any remaining soil.
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Place dormant, soil-free bulbs in a paper bag or perforated plastic bag. This prevents excess moisture buildup.
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Store bulbs in a basement, cellar or any dark space with temperatures between 40-50°F. The refrigerator works well too.
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Check bulbs periodically and discard any that are soft or diseased. Healthy bulbs will be firm.
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After 6-8 weeks in storage, bulbs can be planted in fall for winter blooming.
Proper storage conditions are critical to prevent bulb rot, mold and other diseases. Make sure your storage location remains cool, dry and dark.
Planting Stored Amaryllis Bulbs
In fall, you can take your stored amaryllis bulbs out and plant them up again. Here’s how to get stored bulbs ready for replanting:
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Select a pot that is 2 inches wider than the bulb. Choose a heavy pot to support the tall flower stalks.
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Use a well-draining potting mix, such as one made for bulbs or cacti.
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Plant the bulb so 1/3 sits above the soil surface. Water sparingly until growth emerges.
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Place potted bulbs in a warm (70-75°F), sunny spot indoors.
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Begin fertilizing with a balanced liquid fertilizer once leaves and flowers emerge.
With proper care after blooming and appropriate storage conditions, you can enjoy your amaryllis bulbs for many seasons. The key is allowing the leaves to fully develop after flowering and giving the bulb an adequate rest period. Follow these guidelines, and your stored bulbs will thrive and bloom year after year.
Where to Store Amaryllis
Hi Donna, do NOT put your Amaryllis bulb in your refrigerator crisper, this is a tropical plant and the cold will kill it.
Keep the Amaryllis bulb watered in a pot in a window until all of the green leaves turn yellow and die off. If you don’t have a window, keep it as close to sunlight as you can so the leaves can collect sun and store it in the bulb. Let it go dormant on its own time.
These Amaryllis bulbs are ready for a nap for a few weeks. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
You can place the Amaryllis bulb in a brown bag after all of the greenery has died back.
Leave it in a closet or in a cabinet at room temperature.
Let it rest for 6-8 weeks, then repot it. I sometimes just leave it in the original pot and start watering it when I want it to regrow.
This Amaryllis is starting to regrow, see the bud on the left? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggi
If the Amaryllis bulb has collected enough sunlight through its leaves, you will enjoy another blooming cycle.
Here’s one of my re-blooming Amaryllis, love to watch them re-grow! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins
Amaryllis bulbs are easy to care for so you can get them to re-bloom and well worth the effort, I have some Amaryllis bulbs that are more than 10 years old.
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Flower Bulbs : How to Store Amaryllis Bulbs
FAQ
How do I save my amaryllis bulb for next year?
- Cut the flower stalks: Once the flowers fade, cut the flower stalks to about 1-2 inches above the bulb.
- Don’t cut the leaves: The leaves are essential for the bulb to store energy for next year’s blooms, so leave them intact.
- Place in a bright location: After the flowers fade, place the amaryllis in a bright location, preferably a window with southern exposure.
- Water regularly: Water the amaryllis when the soil surface is nearly dry.
- Fertilize: Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution.
When should I put amaryllis in the dark?
- After Blooming: Once the amaryllis has finished blooming and the flowers have faded, cut off the spent flowers and stems, but leave the leaves intact.
- Inducing Dormancy: To encourage the bulb to rest and store energy for the next bloom, place the potted amaryllis in a cool, dark, and dry location.
- Cool and Dark Environment: The ideal temperature for dormancy is around 55-60°F (13-16°C).
- Dormancy Duration: Allow the bulb to remain dormant for approximately 8 to 12 weeks.
- Withholding Water: During the dormancy period, stop watering the plant completely.
- After Dormancy: After the dormancy period, remove the plant from its cool, dark location and place it in a bright, sunny location.
- Re-Watering and Fertilizing: Resume watering and fertilizing the plant as it begins to show signs of new growth.
- Timing for Reblooming: To rebloom for a specific time, such as Christmas, you’ll need to start the dormancy period around late summer/early fall and then bring the plant out of dormancy around 6-8 weeks before your desired bloom time.
Can I store amaryllis bulbs in a paper bag without?
If you don’t have a cold place to keep the bulb, put it in a paper bag, and store it in the vegetable crisper of your fridge. The paper bag will protect the bulb from any ethylene gas. Keep the bulb in it’s cool hibernation for ten weeks. You can then replant the bulb, latté in hand, and forget about your worries.