The vegetation cycle of the subtropical Amaryllis (also known as Hippeastrum) is all about mimicking the climate of its native home. It follows a simple rhythm: a warm growth and flowering phase followed by a dry dormant period. If you sync your watering schedule with these natural stages, your plant will reward you with those spectacular, show-stopping blooms we all love. Here’s how to water your Amaryllis like a pro.
During the Blooming Phase, Amaryllis Needs Plenty of H2O
As those buds start to peek out, your Amaryllis’s thirst starts to grow. Once the plant is in full bloom, its water needs hit their peak. Then, as it heads toward its rest phase, you’ll gradually scale back.
Here’s a quick guide to keep you on track:
- From early November (after the dormant phase and repotting) until the first flowers appear, water moderately. Let the soil dry out a bit on the surface before giving it another drink.
- During the main blooming season (December to early March), water your Amaryllis generously and regularly. However, you must avoid soggy feet at all costs—always water from the bottom to prevent root rot.
- From April through the end of July, start tapering off the amount of water you provide.
- By the first week of August, stop watering entirely.
Until early November, keep your plant in a cool, dark spot—a dry corner of the basement is usually perfect. Don’t touch that watering can! During this time, the bulb is busy storing up energy for its next big show. Once you’ve repotted it in fresh soil and trimmed away the withered leaves, you can start the watering cycle over again at a low level.
Always Water Your Amaryllis from the Bottom
When you plant a subtropical Amaryllis, the bulb should only be about halfway covered by the soil. To keep the sensitive outer layers of the bulb from getting soggy or rotting, you should always water from the bottom using a saucer. Simply fill the saucer with lukewarm water and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Afterward, pour out any excess liquid. Thanks to capillary action, the roots will pull up exactly what they need while the exposed part of the bulb stays nice and dry.
Summer Blooms Outdoors
In early May, feel free to move your plant out onto the balcony or patio and keep up with a regular watering routine. If you find a warm, bright spot for it, you might even get lucky and see your Amaryllis bloom a second time during the summer!
