Reblooming Amaryllis Bulbs

My amaryllis is in full bloom and is brightening these gray winter days. I've been looking into caring for the bulb so that it will bloom again next year. I did keep the amaryllis alive that I bought last winter, but didn't research how to take care of it properly. I basically put it outside in its pot and watered occasionally. It is still alive on my window sill, but no flowers this winter.

So how to care for your amaryllis bulb so it blooms again next winter? I've read several articles on the subject and this is what I have come up with...

The key to flowers next year is healthy foliage this year. Strong healthy leaves are a sign of a strong healthy bulb. To encourage leaf growth, cut off the faded flower stems and repot the bulb in a high quality potting mix, using a pot that is just an inch or two wider than the bulb. Water the bulb regularly just enough to keep the soil damp. Make sure it has plenty of light. Feed with a liquid house plant fertilizer every two weeks. When danger of frost has passed it is fine to plant your bulb outside in dappled light. Keep feeding it every two weeks.

The bulbs need a fall rest period in order to bloom again. There is conflicting information on exactly what this fall rest period should entail. All sources agree that in before the first frost, the bulb should be brought indoors and allowed to dry out in a cool place. Some sources say the bulb should be put in the dark, others say it should continue to receive full light. Either way, the bulb should be kept at about 50-60 degrees and not watered at all for about two months. The leaves will yellow and die back. Everyone does agree that once the leaves have died back, the bulb should be stored in the dark (again 50-60 degrees) until you are ready to repot it for blooming.

Warmth and light signal the bulb to start putting out a new flower stalk. Six weeks before you want the bulb to bloom, repot it in a high quality potting soil and keep it in bright light with temps between 70 and 80 degrees. Water thoroughly initially, then keep the soil slightly damp. Once your amaryllis has finished blooming, the cycle can be repeated.


I plan on reporting back next winter on how this worked out. If anyone has rebloomed an amaryllis, I would love to hear your experience. I also learned that amaryllis multiple by putting out small side bulbs--similar to daffodils. I will have to examine the bulbs for little bulblets when I repot them.