Care & Maintenance for Amaryllis

Indoors

• Plant amaryllis bulbs in a 6-inch diameter pot with about 1/3 of the bulb sitting above the soil. Water thoroughly after planting and weekly thereafter. Avoid getting water into the nose of the bulb. Keep the pot in a brightly lit area but out of direct sunlight. Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer according to the package's directions during the growing season. Cut off flower stalks once the flowers fade.

Outdoors

• Amaryllis bulbs are tender bulbs that are left in the ground year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Map zones 8 to 10. In cooler climates, they are left outdoors for the growing season and brought indoors in the fall, when frost threatens. Plant them in a rich, well-drained soil in partial shade.

End of Season

• Amaryllis bulbs need a rest period in winter. Place them in a storage area with temperatures around 55 degrees Fahrenheit for eight to 10 weeks. Stop watering while the bulb is in storage.