Amaryllis Bulbs: How Long Do They Live?

Amaryllis bulbs can produce blooms for a decade.

With proper care while blooming and a cool, dry dormant period, amaryllis bulbs can be annually re-planted to produce flowers for years. Generally associated with indoor blooms for the Christmas or Easter holidays, amaryllis also can be re-potted outdoors in hot climates for annual garden color.

Fundamentals

Large, showy, brightly colored amaryllis are considered the easiest of all flowering bulbs to grow in pots indoors or outside in semi-tropical climates such as Florida, according to the Amaryllis Bulb Co.

With some care and feeding, as well as a period of being left alone, amaryllis bulbs will bloom again and again for years. Some growers have told plant nurseries they have successfully re-potted the same amaryllis bulb for as much as a decade.

Too much water or fertilizer, not enough sun, and improper storage can cause amaryllis bulbs to rot and die.

Characteristics

Amaryllis, known scientifically as Hippeastrum, grows wild in the tropical regions of South America. Its large flowers, which can grow to 8 inches in diameter, have made it one of the most popular cultivated bulbs in the world. About 50 species of domesticated amaryllis produce funnel-shaped flowers in solid or variegated shades of red, white, pink, coral and orange, according to Amaryllis Bulb Care.

Preparation

Once the amaryllis has stopped producing flowers, the stem should be cut back to within a couple inches of the top of the bulb. Leaves should not be cut since they produce the nutrition that will be stored in the bulb while it's dormant, according to White Flower Farms.

The Amaryllis Bulb Co. recommends continuing to water and fertilize the bulb for five to six months. When new leaves begin to grow, cut them back to about 2 inches above the top of the bulb. Remove the bulb from the soil, gently clean it and move it to a dark place with temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees F. Leave the bulb in storage for a minimum of six weeks.

Bulbs that have been dormant for at least six weeks can be re-planted at any time. Blooms will appear about eight weeks after re-planting, according to the Amaryllis Bulb Co.

Warning

Cleaned amaryllis bulbs can be stored in the crisper drawer of a refrigerator during their dormant period, according to the Amaryllis Bulb Co., but they should never be stored in a refrigerator or any other area that contains apples. Gases produced by apples will sterilize an amaryllis bulb.

Planting Indoors

Amaryllis bulbs to be re-planted after storage should first be soaked in lukewarm water for a few hours, according to the Amaryllis Bulb Co. After soaking, plant bulbs in a commercial potting mix. Cover the bulb up to the neck of the stem and press the soil down firmly.

Amaryllis bulbs do best in direct sunlight, such as a south-facing window, with temperatures around 70 degrees. Newly planted bulbs should be watered sparingly, keeping the soil almost dry, until stem growth appears, according to White Flower Farms,. Increase water as leaves and flower buds appear.

Planting Outdoors

In warm areas, amaryllis can be left outdoors and will produce blooms for many years, according to the University of Florida extension service. However, digging up the bulbs in summer and storing them in a cool, dark area to be re-planted in September or October will encourage larger blooms.

Digging out the bulbs each year also offers an opportunity to discard dead or dying bulbs and mix compost into the garden soil for healthier flowers the next year.

Considerations

Several factors can cause amaryllis bulbs not to flower, according to the University of Florida extension service. One of the most common reasons is digging up the bulb too early and putting into storage before it has stored enough nutrition to survive the dormant period.

Too much shade also can reduce the plant's ability to bloom, as can too much fertilizer or too much water. Fertilizers with a high nitrogen component will cause the bulb to produce leaves instead of flowers. Amaryllis should be fed with commercial plant food designed specifically for flowering bulbs.

References

• Amaryllis Bulb Company: Growing Amaryllis
• Amaryllis Bulb Care: About Amaryllis
• White Flower Farm: Growing Amaryllis
• University of Florida Extensions Service: Growing Amaryllis Outside

Resources

• Rochester Gardening: Growing Amaryllis Year-Round