By Jessica Carlson 

OTC Master Gardener

Each winter, Amaryllis bulbs earn their place on windowsills and kitchen tables by delivering oversized, dramatic blooms when little else is flowering. Once those blooms fade, many people wonder what comes next. Is it worth keeping the bulb, or should it head to the compost? 

The first decision is whether the bulb itself is worth saving. Some bulbs are unsuitable for long-term care. Waxed bulbs can’t absorb water or nutrients and removing the wax often damages them. Bulbs forced in water usually lack the roots and energy needed to bloom again reliably. A suitable candidate for reblooming is a bulb that produced multiple flowers on sturdy stalks, shows no signs of soft spots, rot, mold, or insect damage, and still feels firm and heavy. Most importantly, did this plant add beauty or joy to your winter months? If so, that alone can justify the effort.

After the last bloom fades, cut the spent flower stalk down to about one to two inches above the bulb, being careful not to damage the leaves. Leave the foliage intact. The leaves produce and store the energy needed for next year’s flowers. Place the plant in the brightest location available, ideally with several hours of direct sunlight, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. 

Gardeners often move Amaryllis outside after the last frost. This step is optional but helpful. Bright outdoor light encourages strong leaf growth and energy storage. Place the plant in full sun to light shade, protect it from wind, water as needed, and fertilize every two to four weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. UMN Extension notes that the Amaryllis does not require the dormancy but it does need the cool, dark, rest to rebloom easily, especially when timing the blooms for the next holiday season.

To begin dormancy, gradually reduce watering in late August or September. Allow the leaves to yellow and die back naturally, then remove them. Store the bulb in a dry, cool, dark location with temperatures around 50 to 55 degrees such as a closet or cool basement. Do not water. A dormancy period of about eight to ten weeks is a good rule of thumb, though some bulbs benefit from slightly longer rest. Check the bulb occasionally, (I like to add a reminder to myself on my phone) to be sure it remains firm and free of mold.  After the cool period bring the bulb to a well-lit and warm area such as a sunny window around 70-75 degrees. Begin watering., keeping the soil moist but not soggy. A flower stalk should emerge in 4-6 weeks. When amaryllis fail to rebloom, the most common reasons are insufficient light during the growing season, overwatering that leads to rot, skipping dormancy, or planting in too large a container. Light and water management play key roles both before and after dormancy.

With thoughtful after-bloom care, amaryllis can move beyond single-season decor and become repeat performers. Understanding their growth cycle and rest requirements makes reblooming far more likely, rewarding patience with another burst of color again and again.