The amaryllis is starting to rival the poinsettia as the winter holiday flower of choice. Its also making appearances in bridal bouquets.
And its no wonder. Amaryllis is a beautiful bulb plant that produces large bell-shaped flowers from a long, leafless stem. While red is the most popular choice, amaryllis can bloom in pink, orange, yellow, white, and green, with flowers as large as 23 cm in diameter!,
Amaryllises, whose name comes from the Greek word for “to sparkle,” are easy to grow indoors. You can purchase bare bulbs online and in garden stores or buy a kit that contains everything you need to grow amaryllis indoors.
Many people treat their amaryllis bulbs as “one-and-done” flowers. In truth, these bulbs get better with time. The bulbs get bigger, producing more flower stems. In this article, well show you how to take care of your amaryllises year-round.
The amaryllis is a beautiful flower that blooms in the winter and early spring. With large, showy flowers that come in a variety of colors like red pink, white, and orange, it’s easy to see why the amaryllis is a popular houseplant. However caring for an amaryllis requires paying close attention to its watering needs. Providing the right amount of water at the right time is crucial for growing a healthy amaryllis plant and producing magnificent blooms. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about properly watering your amaryllis.
How Often To Water An Amaryllis
The frequency with which you need to water an amaryllis depends largely on the stage of growth the plant is in Here are some general guidelines for how often to water an amaryllis
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Bulb Stage: When the amaryllis is just a bulb starting new growth, water sparingly, only when the top inch of soil is dry. About once every 7-10 days.
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Foliage Growth Stage: Once the bulb has sprouted leaves, water more frequently, about once a week.
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Flowering Stage: When the flower stalk appears, water more generously, about twice a week.
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Resting Stage: After flowering, reduce water to allow the plant to go dormant. Only water every 2-3 weeks.
The size of the pot and temperature also impact water needs. Larger pots and warmer temperatures cause the soil to dry out faster, meaning more frequent watering. Ideal room temperature for an amaryllis is 65-70°F.
How To Tell When To Water
Instead of sticking to a rigid watering schedule, examine the plant and soil to determine when the amaryllis needs water:
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Check soil moisture: Insert your finger into the top inch of soil. If dry, it’s time to water.
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Look for drooping: Leaves that are drooping or wilting indicate under-watering. Perk up after watering.
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Weigh the pot: Pick up the pot to get a feel for how light or heavy it is. Light means it’s time to add water.
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Take note of soil pulling away from sides: This gap means the soil has dried and shrunk. Time to water.
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Consider sunlight exposure: Plants in brighter light need more frequent watering.
How Much Water To Give An Amaryllis
When watering an amaryllis, it’s important to thoroughly saturate the entire root ball and allow excess water to drain out. However, you want to avoid over-watering which can lead to root rot. Here are some tips:
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Water until it drains from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
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For a 6 inch pot, use about 1 cup of water each time.
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Larger pots may need 2-3 cups of water.
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If the plant is drooping, give it a good soaking to perk it back up.
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Water with room temperature filtered water or rain water, not cold water.
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Water less in cool months when growth is slower.
Signs You Are Overwatering
While amaryllis need a lot of water in the active growing stage, overwatering can be detrimental. Watch for these signs:
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Constantly soggy, muddy soil that never fully dries out.
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Soft, mushy roots. Healthy roots should be firm.
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Foul smell from the soil.
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Fungal growth like mold or mildew on the soil surface.
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Bulbs rotting.
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Yellow, drooping leaves that don’t perk up after watering.
Provide Proper Drainage
To prevent overwatering, proper drainage is key. Use a potting mix made for amaryllis or other bulbs, rather than regular potting soil. A sandy, peat-based mix will drain well. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and place pebbles or gravel in the bottom to allow excess water to easily flow out.
Never allow the amaryllis to sit in water for extended periods of time. After watering, empty any accumulated water from the saucer so the pot isn’t sitting in it.
Adjust Watering In Dry Climates
If you live in a dry climate, the soil will dry out more quickly and the plants will need more frequent watering. Arid climates may need daily watering during the hottest, driest parts of summer when the amaryllis is actively growing. Just take care not to overwater.
You can create a more humid microclimate around the plant by placing its pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. The evaporating water increases humidity which helps prevent soil from drying out as fast.
Water Less In Winter
During the cooler winter months when daylight hours are shorter and growth has slowed, amaryllis plants are semi-dormant and require less frequent watering. Only water when the top inch or two of soil is completely dry. Too much winter water can lead to bulb rot.
Listen To Your Plant
Get to know your specific amaryllis’s needs by observing it closely and adjusting your watering routine accordingly. With the proper amount of water at the right times, you’ll be rewarded with large, vibrant blooms and healthy foliage. Proper watering takes some practice but is the key to growing thriving amaryllis plants.
Next, Find the Right Container for Growing Amaryllis
For top-tier blooms, choose a narrow container thats only 2-3 cm wider than the bulb and at least twice as tall. Amaryllis bulbs like to be cozy. If the container is too wide, it may not produce any flowers.
If you are planting the bulbs in soil, you can use a container made of plastic, ceramic, metal, or terracotta. Make sure there is at least one drainage hole at the bottom. Proper drainage will prevent root rot.
You can also grow amaryllis using stones instead of soil. If you go this route, use a glass container. Well explain more about that later.
How to Grow Amaryllis Outdoors in the Summer
Most Canadian climates are too cold to grow these plants successfully outdoors. Still, you can move your indoor plants to the garden for the summer once the temperatures stay above 10 °C at night.
Amaryllises love sunlight, so place them in a sunny spot. Use well-draining soil—such as a mix of sandy soil and compost—to prevent root rot. And, just as you do for indoor planting, leave the top third of the bulb above the soil.
Want to make it even easier? Some gardeners keep the amaryllis in its indoor container and place the entire thing into the soil.
Feed and water the plant regularly. Its storing up energy now to produce more flowers later. Healthy, well-fed bulbs translate to more flower stems and more blooms per stem.
Be sure to bring your amaryllis back indoors in late summer before the first frost.
Amaryllis Watering, Fertilizing and Grooming
FAQ
How much water should I give my amaryllis?
How do I know if my amaryllis needs water?
When should you stop watering amaryllis?
Do you water amaryllis from the top or bottom?