Can You Regrow an Amaryllis?

Blooming Period

• Keep this tropical beauty indoors in a bright spot with filtered sunlight where the temperature remains between 65 and 70 F. Water the pots when the soil starts to feel dry under your fingers and allow them to drain thoroughly. Fertilize amaryllis every two weeks while it is in bloom using a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. A bulb commonly produces four to six flowers in a single growing season. Once the flowers fade, the bulbs regenerate for next season's growth.

Preparing the Bulbs

• Like other bulbs, amaryllis plants rely on the leaves to capture and transfer nutrients from the sun into the root. Once the flowers die in late winter and early spring, cut the stalks at the soil line but leave the foliage. Place the plant in a sunny spot indoors and move it outside as the weather warms to 65 F and above. Keep the amaryllis watered to support the leaves during this critical bulb development period. Cut off the leaves when they naturally turn brown on the plant.

Forcing Dormancy

• Once you remove the foliage, force the bulbs into a dormancy period. Amaryllis bulbs benefit from a dormancy period lasting eight to 10 weeks. After removing the foliage, stop watering to allow the bulbs to dry out. Place the pots in a dim room with a temperature range between 40 and 55 F. You can also remove the bulbs from the pot and pack them in peat moss during the dormancy period.

Reblooming Amaryllis

• Repot amaryllis after the dormancy period. The bulbs flower six to eight weeks after you plant them. When growing amaryllis for the holiday season, plant ahead to have these colorful flowers bloom in time for the festivities. Plant amaryllis in a pot 2 inches larger than the bulb. Use potting soil. Position the bulbs in the pot so that the bottom half is covered by the potting soil and the top half of the bulb remains exposed. Keep the soil damp and return the amaryllis to a spot that stays at 65 to 70 F.