If your Amaryllis is putting out nothing but long, green leaves and giving you the cold shoulder when it comes to flowers, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Usually, a few common care hiccups are to blame. Let’s do a little detective work to figure out why your plant is acting up and how you can get those stunning blooms back on track.
Not enough light? You’ll get leaves, but no show
One of the biggest reasons an Amaryllis refuses to bloom (even while it’s sprouting leaves like crazy) is that it’s just too dark. Think of it this way: no light, no flower!
First things first, take a look at your plant’s location. If it’s tucked away in a dim corner, it’s time to move your Amaryllis to a much brighter spot where it can soak up the rays it needs to power those blossoms.
Don’t cut those green leaves!
Believe it or not, pruning your Amaryllis at the wrong time is a surefire way to kill the bloom cycle. Those long green leaves have a very important job: they gather energy to develop the flower bud deep inside the bulb for next year. If you trim them back while they’re still green, the bulb won’t have the fuel it needs to produce a flower.
Too much water is a buzzkill for blooms
Since these beauties are native to the warm, dry regions of South America, they really don’t need much water. If the bulb is sitting in soggy soil, it’ll focus all its energy on leaves—or worse, start to rot—instead of flowering.
Here’s how to get the watering just right:
- After planting, only give it tiny sips of water.
- Gradually increase the water as you see the flower bud start to grow.
- During the summer growing phase, you can water more regularly and generously.
Starting in mid-July, begin cutting back on the water. From late August through November, keep the plant in a cool, dry spot to let it rest. Only trim the leaves once they have completely withered and turned yellow on their own.
How to coax your Amaryllis into blooming
If you’ve followed all the rules and your plant is still being stubborn, don’t give up! Just keep up with a consistent care routine.
Starting in May, you can move your Amaryllis (pot and all) outside to a sunny, warm spot—a balcony or patio is perfect. Give it about 10 days in a sheltered area to acclimate to the outdoor air, then let it soak up the sun. If your plant feels happy and pampered, it might even surprise you with a gorgeous summer bloom!
