How to Store Amaryllis Bulbs for the Winter

Storing amaryllis bulbs keeps them dormant.

Amaryllis flowers are a popular garden flower and they are often grown around the holiday season, as well. For individuals who want to grow the flowers in the spring, amaryllis bulbs need to be stored over the winter to keep them intact and ready for planting in a garden or pot. In order to keep amaryllis bulbs dormant for the winter, you must store them the right way.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Soil
• Garden shears
• Newspaper
• Perforated garden bag
• Peat moss

Instructions

1. Fill a ceramic or plastic pot with garden soil and transplant the amaryllis plant, including the bulb, into the pot. This will keep the bulb intact and allow you to store it more easily.

2. Place the amaryllis plant in a cool, dark location such as a closet or garage and allow the leaves and stem of the plant to die back naturally.

3. Use garden shears to cut the leaves and stem from the plant about 1 inch above the surface of the soil. This will prevent damage to the bulb when cutting the dead portions of the plant.

4. Empty the pot and bulb onto a sheet of newspaper or an easily cleaned surface to prevent a mess. Separate the bulb from the soil and dispose of the soil or put it back into the garden.

5. Fill a perforated plastic garden bag with peat moss and place the amaryllis bulb inside it. Store the bag in a cool, dark location that is between 50 and and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

References

• University of Florida Extension: Amaryllis
• Iowa State University Extension: Growing Amaryllis

Resources

• Clemson University: Understanding and Growing Amaryllis