Amaryllis bulbs are notoriously picky about water. If you aren’t careful with your watering can and the soil gets soggy, you’re looking at a fast track to root rot—which can totally ruin your plant. Luckily, there’s a super cool way to grow these beauties without any soil at all! Here is everything you need to know about growing Amaryllis in water.
How to Help Your Amaryllis Bloom in Water
To keep your Amaryllis happy without soil, the secret is all about the root-to-water ratio. You’ll need a glass vessel that holds water in a bulbous bottom section while keeping the bulb itself high and dry at the top. While you can find specialized “Amaryllis vases” at most garden centers, you don’t necessarily need to buy a fancy one; you can often find something that works right in your kitchen cupboard.
Here is what you should look for in a perfect Amaryllis glass:
- Shape: Ideally, it should be round.
- The Base: A wide, bulbous bottom to hold plenty of water.
- The Neck: A narrow middle that cinches in.
- The Top: A bowl-shaped opening. This “hourglass” shape gives those thick roots plenty of room to stretch out while keeping the bulb supported.
- Stability: A tall enough neck and a sturdy base to prevent the heavy flower stalks from tipping the whole thing over.
Using this specific glass shape is a game-changer. It protects the sensitive bulb from getting wet (and rotting!) while ensuring the roots have a constant “sip” of water.
How to “Plant” Your Bulb Correctly
The best time to start your Amaryllis in a vase is between October and the end of February. This timeframe applies whether you’re using soil or water. Just a heads-up: your plant can’t live in a glass vase forever. Once the blooming season wraps up, you’ll need to transition it into some potting soil.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to water cultivation:
- Prep the Water: Boil some water, let it cool down completely, and then fill your glass.
- Keep it Fresh: Drop a small piece of charcoal into the water. This is a great little pro-tip to help prevent rot and keep things clean.
- Set the Bulb: Carefully place the bulb into the top of the glass.
- Check the Level: Make sure the bulb is resting on the narrow neck and that only the roots are touching the water.
It is super important that the water level never actually touches the base of the bulb itself. To keep the water from getting cloudy or gross, try to swap it out for fresh water every four days. Once the flowers have faded, it’s time to repot your Amaryllis into a traditional pot with fresh soil to keep it growing strong for next year!
