How to Get a Wax-Covered Amaryllis to Bloom Again – Yes, It’s Possible! Just Follow These 3 Simple Steps

Wax-covered amaryllis bulbs are a popular holiday plant because of their ease of care. Just set the amaryllis bulb in a warm, bright location and wait for the colorful blooms to emerge. Everything the plant needs is encased within the wax.

But after flowering is finishes, the question arises, “Will a waxed amaryllis rebloom?” Typically, waxed bulbs are tossed at the end of the blooming period. But with careful follow-up care after flowering, you can get an amaryllis to rebloom – even one that's encased in wax.

When all the blooms fade, there are a few simple amaryllis care tips to follow that will ensure you have years of beautiful blooms. After years of growing (and reblooming amaryllis bulbs) I've laid out exactly how to do it, step-by-step. Here's what to do with an amaryllis in wax after it blooms and get it to flower again next holiday season.

1. Remove Wax & Encourage Growth

A waxed amaryllis bulb after blooming is totally spent and needs to regenerate roots as well as carbohydrates so it can bloom again. The first thing to do immediately after blooming is to carefully peel off the wax from around the bulb. Be extra cautious in case there are new roots growing that may be embedded in the wax. Also, remove any wire that was inserted to make the bulb stand up on its own.

When the wax is all gone, inspect the bulb for dark or sunken areas that could indicate disease. Discard any amaryllis bulbs that are rotting or showing signs of disease. If you don’t see any roots, you can encourage new roots by setting the bulb on a folded, moist paper towel on a flat surface, like a shallow dish or tray. Set the tray near a window and keep the paper towel moist until roots develop, typically about four to six weeks.

When roots are about 3 inches (8 cm) long, repot your amaryllis in a container that is about 2 inches (5 cm) wider than the bulb and has drainage holes. Use an all-purpose potting soil, like this one from Miracle-Gro, and keep the neck of the bulb above the soil. When you water, avoid getting water in the center of the bulb, where stems emerge.

Keep the plant watered and in full sunlight so the bulb can revitalize. You can move your amaryllis outside for the summer after the threat of frost is past. Only fertilize amaryllis plants once leaves are growing. Apply a slow-release fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10), like this balanced granular plant food from Amazon, every three months or as recommended on the fertilizer package. Or you can try a liquid houseplant fertilizer, like this one from Miracle-Gro that's specifically for blooming houseplants. Only apply it monthly or as suggested on the package.

2. Force Dormancy

To make an amaryllis bulb enter dormancy, stop feeding and watering your plant in late summer or early fall. Your plant needs this period of rest to regain strength for another holiday or winter bloom.

When the soil is dry, move your amaryllis plant in its container to a closet or other cool, dark location for 10 to 12 weeks. Remove the leaves as they fade.

3. Bring It Back to Bloom

To force new amaryllis flowers indoors, you need to bring your plant out of dormancy in early winter. After 12 weeks of dormancy – or sooner if it begins to show signs of growth – move your amaryllis back into bright light and begin watering.

In about four to six weeks, new leaves should emerge, followed by bloom stalks. Sometimes the bloom stalk emerges first, then the leaves. When the amaryllis begins to bloom, you can move it to a cooler area out of direct sun and the flowers will last longer.

After the blooms fade, you can cut off the stalk close to the base. But let the leaves continue to grow. You can start the process all over again by watering and fertilizing the plant and moving it outside for the summer after the threat of frost has passed.

Do Waxed Amaryllis Bulbs Always Rebloom?

Sometimes a waxed bulb is so spent it simply cannot gather enough carbohydrates to bloom again in the winter. If this is the case, you may end up with an amaryllis with leaves and no flowers. If that happens, keep caring for it and it should bloom next year.