Planting and Care

Amaryllis are among the easiest flowers to grow indoors. Plant a regular bulb in a pot with two thirds of the bulb in the soil, keep it warm and bright, and it flowers in about 7–10 weeks; with the right care it blooms again next year. Wax amaryllis need no pot, soil or water at all.

When to plant: your bloom timeline

Regular amaryllis bloom about 7–10 weeks after planting; wax amaryllis bloom within 4–8 weeks.

• Plant in September or October – flowers in November and December.
• Plant from late October to mid-November – flowers around Christmas and New Year.
• Plant in December or January – flowers in late winter.
• Plant in the garden in late spring, after the last frost – flowers in early summer.

Tip: plant a few bulbs two to three weeks apart to enjoy flowers for longer.

How to plant regular amaryllis

1. Choose a pot only slightly wider than the bulb, with a drainage hole. A heavy pot is best, because the large flowers can make a light pot tip over.
2. Fill it with good potting soil, for example potting compost with some humus.
3. Plant the bulb so that about two thirds sits in the soil and the top third stays above it.
4. Water once after planting, then keep the soil only slightly moist until the first shoot appears.
5. Place the pot in a bright, warm spot (20–22 °C) and turn it regularly so the stem grows straight.

Caring for your amaryllis

• Watering: water from below, by pouring water into the saucer, so the bulb itself does not get wet. Water more once the stem and leaves are growing.
• Light: bright, indirect light is ideal. Avoid full midday sun behind glass.
• Longer flowering: once the flowers open, move the plant to a slightly cooler spot (15–18 °C) out of direct sun. The flowers last noticeably longer.
• Support: flower stems reach 40–60 cm. Use a thin stick for support if needed.
• Outdoors: once there is no more risk of frost, your amaryllis can spend the summer outside.

Caring for wax amaryllis

Wax amaryllis are the easiest flowers you will ever grow, because the bulb already contains all the water and nutrients it needs.

• No pot, no soil, no water. Place the bulb upright on a stable surface.
• Choose a bright spot at room temperature, away from radiators and direct midday sun.
• Turn the bulb now and then so the stem grows straight.
• Flowers appear within 4–8 weeks and last for weeks.
• Wax amaryllis are designed to bloom for one season; their wax coating makes them unsuitable for replanting.

After flowering

Cut off the faded flowers, but keep the leaves: they feed the bulb for next year’s flowers. Keep watering and give houseplant fertiliser every two to three weeks through spring and summer. In late summer or early autumn, when the leaves start to yellow, reduce watering and stop fertilising so the plant can go dormant.

How to make your amaryllis bloom again

Amaryllis need a rest period before they flower again. Once the leaves have died back, store the bulb (in its pot, or lifted and dried) in a cool, dark, dry place at 10–12 °C for 8–12 weeks. A cellar, garage or fridge works well, but keep bulbs away from fruit. Then bring the bulb back into the warmth, repot it in fresh soil and water once to start the cycle again.

With two rest periods a year, healthy adult bulbs can even flower twice a year. Only do this with large, well-grown bulbs.

Good to know

• Pets: all parts of the amaryllis, especially the bulb, are toxic to cats and dogs. Keep plants out of their reach.
• Before planting: if you cannot plant straight away, store the bulbs in a cool (10–15 °C), dry, dark and well-ventilated place.
• Our guarantee: every bulb comes with our 100% flowering guarantee. Questions? Contact us.

Choose your amaryllis bulbs → See wax amaryllis →

Last updated: October 2026.