Amaryllis Magic: How to Make Your Bulbs Bloom Again
Amaryllis Magic: How to Make Your Bulbs Bloom Again
"What do I do with my amaryllis? It's been sitting outside all summer with big green leaves. How do I make it bloom again?"
This question has been filling up my inbox! And I totally get it. Amaryllis can seem like mysterious little green aliens just sitting there in their pots.
The Garage Story That Made Me Smile
Last year, a customer texted me a picture. "You're not going to believe this," she said. "I put my amaryllis in the garage back in June because I thought I was supposed to. When I went to my garage in August, there it was, blooming its heart out in my dark garage!"
Then, guess what happened? That same bulb bloomed again this winter, right on schedule.
This is why I love amaryllis so much. We try so hard to time them perfectly, but these flowers do exactly what they want, when they want. They're like stubborn teenagers; they'll surprise you every time!
How I Fell in Love with Amaryllis
I started growing amaryllis five years ago, and now they're my favorite cut flowers to grow.
Why?
Because everyone gets excited watching them. These bulbs grow so fast that kids (and adults!) check on them every single day. "Look! It grew two inches overnight!"
There's something magical about watching a plain brown bulb turn into a stunning flower that's bigger than your hand.
Your Simple Step-by-Step Guide
The good news? Making your amaryllis bloom again is super easy. These flowers are very forgiving.
Here's what you need to do (works for bulbs in pots OR planted in your garden):
Getting Ready:
1.Gently pull the amaryllis bulb out of its pot or dig it up from your garden
2. Brush off the extra dirt (don't worry about getting every bit)
3. Get some sharp, clean scissors and cut off all the green leaves
4. Trim any super-long roots, but leave the short ones alone
The Sleeping Time:
5. Let your bulb sit in a dark place for 24 hours to dry out
6. Put the bulb in a paper bag (lunch bags work great!)
7. Find a dark, cool spot like under stairs, a basement, or even a closet
8. Leave it alone for 8-10 weeks (no peeking, no watering!)
9. Set a phone reminder, or you might forget where you put it
Wake Up Time:
10. After 8-10 weeks, take the bulb out of its bag
11. Plant it in a pot that's about 2 inches wider than the bulb
12. Use damp potting soil (not soaking wet, just a little moist)
13. Put it somewhere bright and warm
14. Only water if the soil gets really, really dry 1
5. Wait patiently for 6-12 weeks for it to wake up and sprout
Once you see that first green shoot, you can start watering it more often. Then sit back and watch the magic happen!
Oops! What If I Messed Up?
Did you already stick your bulb in the garage without letting it enjoy summer outside? Don't worry!
Remember my customer's garage story? Your amaryllis might bloom at a weird time, but it'll be fine. Think of it like a baby with its days and nights mixed up.
Here's how to fix it:
Let those flowers bloom and enjoy them
Cut off the old flowers when they're done
Keep the bulb in a sunny window like a regular houseplant
Water it when the soil gets dry
Wait until next summer, then let it go outside
Next fall, follow the steps above
Fun Extra Trick: Blooms All Winter Long!
Want flowers from December to May? Here's my secret:
If you have several bulbs, don't plant them all at once. Plant one bulb, then wait 3-4 weeks and plant another one. Keep doing this, and you'll have fresh flowers on your table all winter long!
I love collecting new bulbs every year to build up my collection. There's nothing better than fresh flowers when it's snowing outside.
Ready to Start Your Amaryllis Adventure?
Now you know everything you need to make your amaryllis bloom again. I must warn you, though: these flowers are totally addictive to grow!
Want to learn even more secrets about growing amazing amaryllis? I've created a comprehensive growing guide that walks you through everything, from selecting the best bulbs to achieving the biggest blooms.
[Get Your Free Amaryllis Growing Guide Here!]
Trust me, once you see how easy and fun these flowers are, you'll want to grow them every year. And your friends will be begging to know your secret!
Have questions about your amaryllis? Drop them in the comments below. I love helping fellow flower growers!
P.S. – New amaryllis bulbs will be available soon! Make sure you're on my email list so you're the first to know when they arrive. I'm already getting requests!
