Amaryllis flowers are very popular early-blooming bulbs that make for big, dramatic splashes of color in the dead of winter. Once those impressive blossoms have faded, however, it’s not over. Storing amaryllis bulbs over the winter is an easy and effective way to get recurring blooms for years to come. Keep reading to learn more about amaryllis bulb storage and how to overwinter an amaryllis bulb.
Storing Amaryllis Bulbs in Winter
Once the flowers of your amaryllis have faded, cut back the flower stalks to ½ an inch (1.5 cm.) above the bulb. Don’t cut the leaves yet! Your bulb needs the leaves in place to gather energy to make it through the winter and grow again in the spring. If you move it to a sunny spot, it can gather even more energy.
If it’s in a pot with drainage holes and your nights are warmer than 50 F. (10 C.), you can move it outside. If your pot does not have drainage holes, don’t put it outside - the rain will build up and rot your bulb. You can transplant it outside into your garden for the duration of the summer, though. Make sure to bring it inside again if there’s any danger of frost.
Amaryllis Bulb Storage
When the foliage starts to die back naturally, cut it back to 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm.) above the bulb. Dig your bulb up and store it in a cool, dry, dark place (like a basement) for anywhere between 4 and 12 weeks.
Amaryllis bulbs in winter go dormant, so they won’t need any water or attention. When you want to plant your bulb, place it in a pot not much bigger than the bulb, with its shoulders above the soil. Give it one good drink of water and place it in a warm, sunny window. Before long it should start growing.
-
Bold & Beautiful Festive Bloomers: 6 Christmas Flowering Plants For A Big Holiday Buzz‘Tis the season for celebration and easy living, so make sure your plants are up to it. These dynamic Christmas flowering plants will help you see out the season in style
-
9 Thoughtful Stocking Stuffers For Gardeners – That They’ll Actually UseStocking stuffers often end up an after-thought, but not these! Explore expert-curated stocking stuffers for gardeners that they'll use for years to come.
-
Amaryllis Southern Blight Disease: Recognizing Amaryllis Southern Blight Symptoms -
Amaryllis Has Leaf Scorch – Controlling Red Blotch Of Amaryllis Plants
-
Amaryllis Bulb Rot – What Causes Rotten Amaryllis BulbsLike many potted plants, diseases and issues related to fungal infections can be detrimental to the development of the plant and may even cause it to die before it is able to bloom. Amaryllis bulb rot is one such issue. Learn more about this problem in the following article.
-
Separating Amaryllis Plants: How To Divide Amaryllis Bulbs In The GardenLike many bulbs, in time and with the right environmental conditions, outdoor amaryllis bulbs will reproduce and naturalize. Amaryllis plant division is not only a way to control amaryllis colonies, but it also keeps plants healthy. Click here to learn more.
-
Complete Guide To Repotting Amaryllis – For Better Blooms & A Healthier PlantAmaryllis plants don't need a lot of elbow room, but they do have to be repotted every 3-5 years. Wait until they're dormant and pick a slightly bigger pot.
-
Amaryllis Seed Propagation: How To Plant An Amaryllis SeedIf you have some patience, you can produce and germinate your own amaryllis seed pods. Learn more about amaryllis seed propagation and how to plant an amaryllis seed in the article that follows. Click here for more information.
-
Staking An Amaryllis: Types Of Amaryllis Support StakesThe tall amaryllis stalks grow from bulbs, and each stalk bears four huge blooms. If your blooming plant gets top-heavy, you might need to learn about staking an amaryllis. Click this article for information about what to use for amaryllis plant support.
-
Soil For Amaryllis Plants – What Kind Of Soil Does Amaryllis NeedBecause it blooms in winter or early spring, amaryllis is almost always kept in a pot indoors, so you have more say in the kind of soil it grows in. So what kind of soil does amaryllis need? Learn about amaryllis soil requirements in this article.
