Difficulty Growing Amaryllis

The care you give your amaryllis bulb this year determines how well it performs next year.

Many of the problems encountered with amaryllis bulbs are easily corrected with proper care and attention. The care you give an amaryllis bulb determines how well it performs the following year.

Shade

Amaryllis bulbs need light shade. When they are grown in too much shade they develop spindly foliage and flower poorly. Indoors, keep the plant in a southern window where it will get several hours of strong light daily.

Fertilizer

Too much nitrogen fertilizer, or a soil that is too rich, results in lush leaves but poor flowers. Apply two or three light doses of fertilizer during the growing season. Use an amaryllis fertilizer or a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer.

Foliage

The bulb depends on the nutrients it absorbs from dying foliage for next year's flowers. Cut off the flowers when they fade to discourage seed production, but leave the foliage in place. Wait until the foliage dies back completely before digging or lifting bulbs.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Amaryllis
• North Carolina State University Extension: Home Forcing of Potted Amaryllis
• University of Colorado Extension: Home Forcing of Potted Amaryllis