How to successfully care for an amaryllis
Jan 17, 2025, 8:00 AM
(Larry Sagers)
(Larry Sagers)
SALT LAKE CITY — Do you have an amaryllis but have no idea how to care for it? Here are some tips from KSL Greenhouse Host Taun Beddes.
Types of amaryllis
Amaryllis is a family of tropical to subtropical bulbs that are native to Africa. There are also species that are native to South America, but they are not considered “true amaryllis.” Both groups have species that are hardy to USDA Zones 6 or 7.
One of the main types of South American amaryllis is Johnson’s Hardy Amaryllis. It’s mostly grown in the south, but it could overwinter in protected areas along the Wasatch Front, said Beddes.
There are also some in the genus Hippeastrum that are somewhat hardy.
Care tips
Their growth pattern depends on where they’re from, said Beddes. For example, the Dutch bulbs will send the flowers up and then the leaves after they’re done flowering.
“You want to cut the dead flower heads off but leave the green stem because it’s photosynthesizing and adding energy to the system so that it can continue to bloom.”
The indoor amaryllis will bloom during this time, but it’s important to leave the leaves and get it in a bright location.
“Put them in a shady spot for a couple hours and then just keep putting it in the shady spot longer and then [in] a little bit of sun,” said Beddes. “And over a week or two, you can actually transition them to being outdoor patio plants.”
Then, sometime in mid to late September, you can stop watering it. At this point, let it go dry and dormant. Cut off the leaves when they turn completely yellow and brown, then move the amaryllis to a cool location for about two months.
“Just leave [the bulb] in there. Take it downstairs to someplace [that’s] around 60 degrees [Fahrenheit]. Let it sit for two months, maybe 10 weeks, and then bring it out and start watering it.”
Make sure they’re in a bright location as the sun is what gets them to bloom. If they collect enough sunlight, they will bloom about 6 to 8 weeks later.
“If they are actively growing, you want to be fertilizing them. And so you want to use half strength houseplant fertilizer twice a month at least, maybe a little more often if they’re putting out a lot of new growth while they’re green.”
Read more from the KSL Greenhouse show:
- Preparing for garden season: Seed catalogs 101
- Time to order tomato seeds
- Choosing the right nut trees to grow in Utah
KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also find more gardening info at our linktr.ee.
