Amaryllis plants can rebloom year after year, but there are a few steps you’ll need to take to get them to flower again reliably.
You can easily trigger it by controlling the light, water, and temperature. It’s also important to get the timing right to ensure the biggest and most robust display for the holidays.
In this post I’m going to show you exactly how to make your amaryllis bloom again, with detailed step-by-step instructions, and I’ll also tell you when you need to start the process.
What Triggers Amaryllis To Rebloom?
There are 3 main environmental changes that trigger an amaryllis to bloom: drought, darkness, and cool temperatures.
These three things will force the bulb to go dormant, or rest. They need 6-8 weeks of rest so they can build up enough energy to flower.
Related Post: Dormant Amaryllis Care, Timing, Preparation & How To Revive It
When Will Mine Flower Again?
If you follow the correct steps, your amaryllis will bloom about 4-6 weeks after you bring it out of the dark, or once it breaks dormancy.
It’s easy to control the timing for Christmas. But if you let it happen naturally, they can flower anywhere from mid-winter through spring, depending on the environment.
How Do I Get My Amaryllis To Bloom Again?
To get your amaryllis to rebloom, you need to control the amount of water and light you give it, as well as the temperature.
If you’re trying to time it for Christmas, you should start the process sometime between September 17 and October 15. Here are the 4 main steps to take.
1. Stop Watering & Fertilizing
You should stop watering and feeding your plant in the fall about 10-14 weeks before you want it to flower again.
This is the first trigger to the bulb that it’s time to rest. At this time, allow the soil to dry out completely, and don’t water it at all.
2. Put It In The Dark
The bulb needs complete darkness for 6-8 weeks. So move it inside to a dark and dry location, like a closet, windowless garage, basement, or a storage area.
You can leave the bulb right in the pot, or dig it up and store it bare-root. The leaves will eventually die back on their own, or you could cut them off if you prefer.
3. Keep It Cool
Though it’s not as important to get the temperature exactly right for reblooming, it’s best to keep your amaryllis bulb cool so it doesn’t break dormancy early.
So try to find a spot where the temperature stays between 45-60°F, but make sure it never drops below freezing.
Related Post: How To Properly Store Amaryllis Bulbs
4. Wake It Up
After 4-6 weeks, bring your amaryllis out of the dark and give it a deep drink to moisten the soil. If yours is bare-root, pot it up using a fresh growing mix.
Then move it to a warm area where it will get lots of bright light. The best spot is a sunny location, like a south-facing window.
How Long Does It Take Amaryllis To Bloom Again?
It takes anywhere from 10 to 14 weeks for an amaryllis to rebloom once it enters dormancy.
After you bring it out of the dark, it could start to sprout right away, or it can take a few weeks, depending on the environment.
But it will usually take 6 to 8 weeks for your plant to come into full bloom after its rest period.
Why Won’t My Amaryllis rebloom?
Your amaryllis won’t rebloom if it hasn’t regenerated enough energy, or if it doesn’t get a proper rest period.
They need 4-6 weeks of dormancy to flower again, which doesn’t always happen naturally, so you’ll need to force it.
But if you follow all the steps to give it a rest, and it still won’t bloom, then make sure you’re giving it the right care during the active growth season.
To build up the energy, they need lots of sunlight and fertilizer in the spring and summer months. The easiest way to provide that is to put your plant outside in a full sun location during the summer, and feed it monthly with a flowering fertilizer or compost tea.
Related Post: How To Care For An Amaryllis Plant (Hippeastrum)
Why Is My Amaryllis Only Growing Leaves?
Don’t panic if your amaryllis only has leaves at first. Sometimes the foliage will start to grow before the flower stalk, and that’s perfectly normal.
This doesn’t mean it won’t bloom again, just be patient and give it more time. You can tell the difference right away because the leaves are flat and thin, and the bud is thick and fat.
What To Do Once It Starts Blooming
For the biggest and best display, it’s very important to give your amaryllis the proper care when it starts to rebloom. Otherwise the spikes can get tall and leggy and fall over, or the flowers may not be very large. Here’s how to treat your plant once it starts sprouting.
- Increase watering – Keep the soil evenly moist, but do not overwater. Let the top 1” dry between drinks. Use a moisture gauge probe to get it right.
- Give it plenty of light – Once they start budding, the flower stems grow very quickly. So give it as much sunlight as possible to prevent legginess. If your home is dark, add a grow light.
- Keep it warm – If the room is cold it will take much longer for the flower buds to open. For the quickest results, keep the temperature between 65-80°F. You can place the potted bulb on a heat mat to speed things up.
Related Post: What To Do With An Amaryllis After It Blooms
FAQs
Typically each bulb will only bloom one time per year, but some will flower twice. They will rebloom again reliably every year for decades when you take the proper steps.
Yes, a waxed amaryllis can rebloom. Simply remove the wax and plant your bulb into soil after it’s done flowering so it can regenerate enough energy for next year.
To get timing right for Christmas, you need to start the rest period sometime in late-September to mid-October. Then bring them out of storage in mid to late November, or 6-8 weeks after you put them in the dark.
To learn more, watch my web story.
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!
More About Amaryllis Plants
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Share your tips for how to make amaryllis bloom again in the comments section below.
Printable Instructions
How To Rebloom Amaryllis Bulbs
It's easy to trigger your amaryllis to bloom every year. Follow these simple instructions for the biggest and most beautiful flowers.
Materials
- Amaryllis plant
- Potting soil (optional)
Instructions
- Stop watering and fertilizing - Beginning somewhere between 10-14 weeks before you want your plant to rebloom, stop fertilizing and watering it.
- Force dormancy - Put it in a cool, dark location, like an unheated basement or garage, where the temperature will stay between 45-60°F. You can leave it in the pot or store it bare-root.
- Wait for 6-8 weeks - Keep your amaryllis in the dark for 6-8 weeks. Allow the soil and the bulb to dry out completely, and don't water it at all. The leaves will die back, so you can remove them as they dry up or use sharp pruners to cut them off while they’re still green.
- Wake up the bulb - If you stored your bulb bare-root, plant it in a container with drainage holes using fresh potting soil. Give it a deep drink, allowing the excess to drain off completely. Then move it to a warm, sunny window or use a grow light.
- Watch for new growth - Some amaryllis bulbs will start blooming within a few days, while others could take 4-6 weeks - so be patient. Try placing the pot on a heat mat to help break dormancy faster.
Notes
- Amaryllis flower bulbs must rest for 6-8 weeks, and it can take another 4-6 weeks for them to rebloom. So for a Christmas display, put them into storage sometime in mid-September to mid-October.
- Don’t worry if yours starts getting leaves before flowers, sometimes that happens. It's normal, so just be patient and give it more time.
- Amaryllis bulbs need to be fully mature to bloom. So, smaller ones may not flower, even if you follow all of these steps perfectly. It could take several years before they’re large enough.
Teresa says
Amaryllis are in the ground outside with beautiful green leaves. Do I need to dig them up and bring them inside?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If you live in a warm climate where the ground never freezes, then your amaryllis can stay in the ground. In that case, they will naturally rebloom in the later winter/early spring (depending on where you live). Otherwise, if you’ve somewhere cold then yes, you’ll need to dig them up.
Viola Ricks says
We have a lot of amaryllis that rebloom each year. My question is “does the bulb continue to grow as the leaves are dying down”?
Amy Andrychowicz says
No, amaryllis bulbs will not continue to grow once they begin to go dormant (i.e.: as the leaves die back in the fall).
Donna E Stewart says
Does the seed pod actually have usable seeds in it?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, the seeds will be viable as long as the flower was pollinated. I just grew amaryllis seedlings from one of my plants for the first time this year, and the babies are growing great!
Doris says
I have an amaryllis that came up with a long stem and bud but it won’t open up . What can I do to help it open it did the same thing when I got it 2yrs ago
Amy Andrychowicz says
Give your amaryllis plenty of warmth and sunshine to encourage the flowers to open faster. Some varieties are naturally slower than others.
sue says
My 2 and 3 yr old amaryllis has rebloomed in previous yrs. This yr after I brought them out of dormancy they have produced nothing but leaves, no blooms. One grew 2.5′ tall, only planted in pebble size stones. It grew top heavy and was accidentally knocked over. I had to cut it completely back. One grew 1.5 foot tall, One only grew a few inches. None of these produced flowers. Just green leaves. What did I do wrong this yr? Do they need repotted ? Can I leave oldest plant in the pebbles (in glass vase) ? I can see lots of roots. I’m really at a loss as to what to do for these plants. Or have they lived out their lives ?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If your amaryllis didn’t rebloom that means it didn’t get enough nutrients and/or sun to regenerate enough energy. I find it easiest to put mine outside in full sun for the summer, and make sure you also give them plenty of high-phosphorus fertilizer. See the section above named “why won’t my amaryllis bloom again” for more details.
Jessie says
Ironic that your name is Amy. When I bought my Amaryllis,and it got it’s first stem and flower, I said to it,; Hi Amy,… and that is what it’s name is,.. lol. It got some very beautiful flowers and a seed pod in the end. Love this plant. Thanks for all the tips on how to grow this gorgeous plant.
Lydi says
I still don’t understand how understand this. Mine
was ‘the thing’ between me and my mom
that we shared. She passed away last august. The bulb was done blooming last April before she died. . I wanted to rebloom it. I saw it was coming up in November(it was stored in my basement) so I started watering it and giving in sun. Leaves came up with no bloom. I just have to get this to bloom. It was the last thing we did together. I started fertilizing way after the leaves were up, I know it was too late but thought it would help it. Now I dont know what to do. Will the leaves still die back? Do I stop watering it? It is now Feb. It has been growing leaves for 3 months. Please help.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sometimes amaryllis bulbs are slow to flower, and it might still put up a bloom this year. If it doesn’t bloom this year, that just means it didn’t get enough fertilizer and/or sun last summer. So, just try again. Give it plenty of sun and fertilizer this summer, then put it back into the dark in the fall again, per the instructions in the article, and hopefully it will bloom for you next year. Good luck.
Brooke says
I have a similar story, the last thing my mom gave me was an Amaryllis that has bloomed (multiples) every year, that was in 1991, yep…1991…I transplanted it last year breaking apart the bulbs last fall. There were 9 of them. The original bulb has just shot a stalk on Feb 26, crazy because that is my birthday…another gift from my mother. I have checked with my kids who have the other bulbs, they have shot out leaves, no flowers yet.
I leave the bulbs in the pots, let all the green die off to replenish the bulbs, in the summer they go outside out of the strong sun and water whenever, but never let them sit in water. In the fall, I bring them in and water small amounts once a week.
We live in southern Michigan
Susan Holbrook says
Hi, I live in Florida how can I make my amarillis go dormant? It really doesn’t get cold enough here..
Amy Andrychowicz says
Amaryllis bulbs don’t need cold in order to rebloom, they just need a period of darkness. So just follow my steps above, and you should have no problem reblooming them.
Jack Kinsman says
Hi there plant lovers,
I have just started growing amartllis and I wondered if it would be possible to cut my red plant in half and cut my white plant in half to make two wonderful plants. Has this ever been tried before and if so what was the result please?
Thank you,
Stay safe,
Jack
Amy Andrychowicz says
I’m not exactly sure what you mean about cutting your amaryllis in half to make two plants. You can’t cut the individual bulbs in half to make two plants, that would just kill them. But you can divide plants that have more than one bulb, and pot up each bulb as it’s own plant. Just keep in mind that the smaller ones can take several years before they’ll be mature enough to bloom.
Jack Kinsman says
Thank you Amy. You have just saved me from destroying two lovely plants.
Keep growing,
Jack Kinsman
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
Brooke says
I have been blooming my Amaryllis since 1990, I repotted only once into a large pot years ago. This year I repotted breaking the bulbs away from the mother bulb (produced 9 bulbs). All seem to be doing well, my daughter in laws and nieces are their new caretaker…the 3 I kept, which is the original and older bulbs are still laying dormant. I’m watering once a week, letting the pot dry out. It’s been since mid October. I’m concerned that I have no growth whatsoever, should I be?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sometimes amaryllis bulbs can take several months to rebloom, or even start showing any signs of life. I’ve had a few before that didn’t bloom until almost Easter! Definitely make sure you’re not overwatering, once a week sounds like it could be too much. Let the soil dry 1-2″ deep in between, it should never stay wet for long. But, if the bulbs are firm and healthy, then they just need more time. Lack of light and cool temperatures really slow them down. So I would move it to a sunny window in a warm room. You could also try placing them on a heat mat or adding a space heater to give them more warmth, which will help break dormancy faster. Also, keep in mind that they need to be mature in order to flower. So those baby bulbs you removed may only get leaves this year, and it’ll probably take a few years before they will bloom. Good luck!
Teresa Renaud says
I saved my bulbs on the side of the house. But they looked dead. Then I noticed some green growing on them. So I brought them in and potted them. The leaves are about a foot high now. But one plant has small offshoots an inch or two from the main plant. Should I cut those off in order to strengthen the main plant?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome that your amaryllis are starting to grow again after you thought they were dead. The offshoots are babies that you can remove and pot up for new plants as long as they have their own roots. There’s no need to remove them though, they won’t steal energy from the main bulb.
Fran Custer says
Do I continue to water and fertilize after it comes out of dormancy?
Amy Andrychowicz says
After you pot them up, give them a deep drink until the water drains out of the bottom holes. After that, most of time you don’t have to give your amaryllis bulbs anything but light for them to rebloom. You definitely don’t want to give them too much water, however it’s best to make sure the soil doesn’t dry out completely. Keep it on the dry side, but never bone dry. And don’t fertilize it until after it’s done blooming.
Libby Whittaker says
I have an amaryllis bulb from last Christmas. I’ve never tried reblooming before and realise I have missed my chance to get it to bloom in time for the this Christmas (24 Oct today). The bulb has been in compost all year, watered occasionally, but not fed. The final leaf from last year has just died back. Can you please advise how I should start? Do I repot in fresh compost and start feeding now, or take it from the pot and make it go completely dormant? I have no experience with potted bulbs, only spring daffodils in my garden, which do their own thing every year with little assistance. Many thanks
Amy Andrychowicz says
You should give it a period of dormancy for 6-8 weeks. There’s no need to repot it or remove it from it’s pot, unless it has completely outgrown the container. Follow my step by step instructions at the very bottom of the article for the exact steps to take to get your amaryllis to rebloom. You can start at step 6 since yours is already entering its dormancy period.
Becky says
Hi there, should I cut back the leaves and roots before storing in the cold cellar? My Dad bought my 3 amaryllis before he passed away so I want to keep them growing for years.
Amy Andrychowicz says
There’s no need to cut off the leaves and roots before moving your amaryllis into the spot for dormancy. You can leave it right in the pot if you want. Once it starts to go dormant, the leaves will die back, and then you can remove them. However, it won’t hurt them if you want to cut back the leaves and pull it out of the pot, if it’s easier for you to store them bare-root. Either way will work.