Reblooming an amaryllis is not as difficult as you may think, and you can get them to flower again every year. In this post, I’ll give you detailed step by step instructions with plenty of photos so you’re sure to be successful.
Amaryllis have become super popular winter blooming plants, especially during the holiday season.
But since they have the reputation of being disposable gift plants, many people toss them out once they’re done blooming.
This is really sad because it’s very easy to get your amaryllis to rebloom every year. You just have to follow a few simple steps.
Below I’ll tell you all you need to know, and show you exactly how to get amaryllis to bloom again.
Do Amaryllis Rebloom?
Yes, amaryllis can rebloom year after year, but there are steps you need to follow to get them to flower again reliably.
Table of Contents
Once people find out that it is indeed possible, the next question I’m usually asked is “How do I get my amaryllis to rebloom?”. And that my friends is exactly why I wrote this detailed tutorial!
Related Post: How To Care For An Amaryllis Plant (Hippeastrum)
How Do I Get My Amaryllis To Bloom Again?
To get your amaryllis to bloom again, you simply need to allow the bulb to go into a natural dormancy phase.
In other words: let it die back then rest for a few weeks, and that will trigger it to bloom again.
Once I figured this out, I have been able to reliably repeat the process every year for at least a decade now, and it’s very easy!
How To Get Amaryllis To Rebloom For Christmas
To get an amaryllis to rebloom for Christmas, you need to start the rest period sometime in mid-September to mid-October.
Then bring them out of storage in mid to late November, or 6-8 weeks after the start of their dormancy period.
Related Post: How To Grow Waxed Amaryllis Bulbs
How Long Does It Take Amaryllis To Bloom Again?
It takes anywhere from 10-14 weeks for an amaryllis to bloom again once it enters dormancy.
The exact time depends on several factors, including the environment, nutrients, temperature, and lighting.
Related Post: What To Do With An Amaryllis After It Blooms
Why Won’t My Amaryllis Bloom Again?
Your amaryllis won’t bloom again if it hasn’t regenerated enough energy. To build up the energy to flower, they need lots of sunlight and fertilizer.
The easiest way to provide that is to put them outside in a full sun location during the summer, and feed them monthly with a flowering fertilizer or compost tea.
Why Is My Amaryllis Only Growing Leaves?
Don’t panic if your amaryllis only has leaves, sometimes they will start to grow before the flower spike, and that’s perfectly normal.
This doesn’t mean it won’t bloom again, just be patient and give it more time.
You can tell the difference right away because the leaves will be flat and thin, and the flower spike is thick and fat.
In this section I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about reblooming amaryllis. If you can’t find yours here, ask it in the comments below.
When Will My Amaryllis Bloom Again?
Your amaryllis will bloom again about 4-6 weeks after it breaks dormancy. This can be anywhere from winter through spring, depending on when it started its rest period.
How many years will an amaryllis rebloom?
An amaryllis will rebloom for many years, even decades, as long as you follow the proper steps to help them out.
How many times can an amaryllis rebloom?
Typically an amaryllis can only rebloom one time per year, but some will flower twice. They will bloom again reliably every year for decades when you take the proper steps.
Will a potted amaryllis bloom again?
Yes, a potted amaryllis will bloom again, and it’s actually easier since you don’t have to dig them up. You can let them go dormant and store them right in their pots.
Will waxed amaryllis rebloom?
Yes, waxed amaryllis will rebloom just like any other bulb. Simply remove the wax and plant them into soil after they’re done flowering so they can regenerate enough energy to bloom again.
When Do I Plant Amaryllis Bulbs For Christmas Blooms?
To figure out when to plant amaryllis bulbs for Christmas blooms, count backward 10-14 weeks, and that’s when you should start their rest period. They need to rest for 6-8 weeks, and it can take another 4-6 weeks to break dormancy.
Reblooming amaryllis is easy and, once you get into the habit, they will flower again every winter. It’s totally worth the small amount of effort to keep and enjoy them for many years to come.
Want more information about caring for your indoor plants? Pick up a copy of my Houseplant Care eBook! It’s filled with tons of information about keeping houseplants alive and thriving! Download your copy today!
More Houseplant Care Posts
- How To Grow Amaryllis In Water
- What To Do With Cyclamen After Flowering
- Christmas, Thanksgiving, & Easter Cactus: How To Tell Them Apart
- Fall Houseplant Care Guide
- How To Save A Rotting Cactus Plant
Share your tips for how to make amaryllis bloom again in the comments section below.
Step By Step Instructions
How To Get Amaryllis To Rebloom
The steps to rebloom your amaryllis start as soon as the flowers fade. Follow these simple instructions for the best success.
Materials
- Amaryllis plant
- Flowering plant food
- OR Compost tea
- OR Fish emulsion
- Potting soil (optional)
Tools
- Precision pruners
- Grow light (optional)
- Heat mat (optional)
Instructions
- Remove the flower spike - Once the flowers fade and die back, use precision pruners to cut off the stem all the way down to the base. Removing it will allow the bulb to start building energy to bloom again.Keep the leaves growing - Place it in a sunny window, and keep all of the leaves intact. If you don’t have much natural light in your home, I suggest getting a grow light. Amaryllis plants need as much light as possible to regenerate enough energy to rebloom.Move it outside in the spring - After all chance of frost is gone in the spring, put it outside. Slowly acclimate it to a full sun location to avoid burning the leaves.Fertilize it all summer - Feed your amaryllis regularly during the spring and summer months. I recommend using a flower fertilizer, compost tea, or fish emulsion.Move it back indoors - When it’s time to trigger dormancy (10-14 weeks before you want it to rebloom), stop fertilizing, and bring your plant back inside.Force dormancy - Put it in a cool, dark location, like an unheated basement or garage, where the temperature stays above freezing, 45-55°F is ideal. You can leave it right in the pot or store it bare-root, whichever you prefer. Wait for 6-8 weeks - Keep your amaryllis in the dark for 6-8 weeks. Allow the soil and the bulb to dry out completely, and don’t water it at all. The leaves will die back, so you can remove them as they dry up. Bring it out of storage - If you stored your bulbs bare-root, pot them up using fresh soil. Then give them a deep drink, allowing the excess to drain off completely, and move them to a warm, sunny window. Wait for new growth - Some amaryllis bulbs will wake up within days of moving them to a sunny spot, others could take 4-6 weeks before showing signs of life. So be patient. Placing them on a heat mat will help break their dormancy faster.
