How to Plant and Care For Amaryllis
When planting your amaryllis bulb, it is best to choose an unglazed terra cotta pot with a drainage hole, that is about two inches bigger around than your bulb. This should allow about one inch of space all around your bulb once planted in the pot.
Fill the pot about halfway with a well-draining potting mix. Then, place the bulb in the soil and fan the roots out around the pot. Once your bulb is placed, fill the pot with soil, leaving about 1/3 to 1/2 of your bulb above soil level. After it’s potted, water your bulb well. Allow the plant to dry out between waterings—amaryllis will rot in overly wet soil.
How to Care for Amaryllis After Blooming
When your amaryllis is done blooming, cut back the bloom stalk and let the foliage continue to grow. Place the plant in a sunny window, or outside in the summer, so that it can store nutrients for next year’s bloom. You should also start fertilizing your plant every two to four weeks with an all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer.
Beginning in mid-August to early September, stop watering your bulb to initiate dormancy. At this point, place your bulb in a cool dark place, like a basement or a garage, and allow the foliage to die back.
After eight to 10 weeks you should start to see a bud forming at the top of the bulb. At this point, bring your amaryllis out from storage and place it in a bright window and resume watering. It should bloom within several weeks.
