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Amazing Amaryllis Bulb Care: How to Get Your Amaryllis to Bloom Again Indoors
Amaryllis plants have absolutely gorgeous flowers! Have you ever been gifted a waxed amaryllis bulb but didn’t know about amaryllis bulb care? These easy-care flowering bulbs make the perfect indoor plant gifts because there is little to no maintenance to enjoy their growth and beautiful blooms in your home. Place by a window and watch the bloom unfold in the weeks ahead!
Many people assume that these bulbs are a one-time wonder, but that’s not true! With the right amaryllis bulb care, your plant can bloom year after year, bringing color and joy to your home garden decor.
I remember when I first received a waxed amaryllis bulb as a holiday gift – I was mesmerized by its vibrant red and white flowers. When the blooms faded, I didn’t want to toss it, so I did some research and hands-on experience.
With a little post-bloom care, I got it to rebloom indoors, and it was just as beautiful the second time around!
This post is all about amaryllis bulb care and how to encourage it to bloom again. You’ll learn everything from proper placement and watering tips to replanting and creating a dormancy period.
What Are Amaryllis Plants?
The amaryllis plant (Hippeastrum) is a beautiful flowering bulb known for it large trumpet-shaped blooms. They come in several color varieties such as red, pink, white, and striped.
These easy-to-grow plants have become a winter favorite for colorful home decor and gift-giving! These bulbs are completely self-sustaining when gifted, requiring no water or planting.
While often considered “single-use” flowers, amaryllis flowers can rebloom with the right post-bloom care!
Don’t throw yours away! Let’s revive it for another bloom cycle!
Waxed Amaryllis Bulb Care: Easy Tips to Help Your Indoor Amaryllis Thrive
Caring for a waxed amaryllis bulb is surprisingly easy – making it a favorite among plant lovers and beginners alike. These self-contained bulbs are specially designed for low-maintenance beauty.
Follow these tips to help your waxed amaryllis bloom beautifully indoors:
Find a Bright Spot – Place your amaryllis bulb in a warm location with bright, indirect sunlight. Near a sunny window will do just fine.
Rotate the Bulb – Since amaryllis flowers grow toward the light, turn the bulb every few days to encourage vertical growth.
Avoid Overheating – Keep it away from direct heat sources like radiators or fireplaces to prevent drying out.
Enjoy the Blooms – Your amaryllis plant will typically bloom within 4-6 weeks, producing multiple flower stalks with stunning amaryllis blooms that last about 2-3 weeks.
No Water Needed – The waxed coating provides all the moisture and nutrients your bulb needs—no watering required! It’s one of the reasons waxed amaryllis bulbs make such popular holiday gifts!
Once the flowers fade, don’t discard your amaryllis bulb. With a little extra care, you can encourage it to bloom again!
How to Get a Waxed Amaryllis Bulb to Rebloom Indoors
Even though waxed amaryllis bulbs are often sold as single-use gifts, with a little TLC, you can absolutely get them to bloom again indoors! I’ve personally had success bringing mine back to life using the simple steps below.
Here’s how to rebloom an amaryllis bulb after its first round of flowers:
Rehydrate the Waxed Bulb – Soak the waxed bulb in room-temperature water for about 30 minutes. This helps rehydrate it and prepare it for regrowth. Feel free to float the whole plant in a sink of water! I did!
Remove Spent Blooms – Carefully cut off faded flowers at the base. This prevents the plant from focusing energy on seed production and instead restores the bulb.
I once spotted a hidden flower stalk growing deep in the leaves just when I thought blooming was done—it was such a fun surprise!
Return to a Sunny Spot – Pat the outside of the bulb with a paper towel and return your amaryllis plant to that sunny window! Tip – You may want to place a plate or saucer under the bulb to protect your furniture from any water drips.
With patience, your amaryllis bulb may surprise you with another round of beautiful blooms!
How to Keep Your Amaryllis Thriving for Years
With the right care, your amaryllis bulb can become a long-term indoor beauty—blooming again each year and even producing more flower stalks over time. If you’ve enjoyed your waxed amaryllis, it’s absolutely worth investing in a little extra care to help it thrive.
Here’s how to care for amaryllis bulbs after blooming and set them up for another vibrant flowering season.
When to Replant Waxed Amaryllis Bulbs
Best Time to Replant – Late winter or early spring, after the flowers have faded
Remove the Wax – Gently remove the wax coating without damaging the bulb.
Planting Tip: I soaked the bulbs in room temperature water like before to soften the wax for easier removal from the bulb
Choosing the Right Pot – Use a well-draining container about 1-inch or so wider than the bulb for healthy growth. Amaryllis are forgiving plants. Yield on the side of caution to go a little bigger than too small, or experiment and plant several bulbs together! Gardening should be fun!
Bulb Placement – When planting an amaryllis bulb in a pot, plant it so that the top one-third or so is exposed above the soil line. Just be sure that the roots are covered!
Provide Light and Water: Find an ideal window that offers bright, indirect light. Many people wonder, “How often should I water amaryllis?” Water enough to moisten the soil. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings to hopefully prevent rot. Using a planter with drainage holes will help prevent excess water from sitting at the bulb’s base.
As your amaryllis bulb grows new leaves through spring and summer, it’s rebuilding strength for next season’s blooming cycle!
How to Put Your Amaryllis Bulb Into Dormancy for Future Blooms
To ensure your amaryllis plant blooms again, it needs a dormant period before the next growth cycle. Here’s how to prepare it:
Reduce Watering – In late summer, gradually decrease watering to encourage dormancy.
Let the Leaves Die Back Naturally – As leaves turn yellow and dry, let them remain—they’re still supplying energy to the bulb. Once the leaves are completely dry and turned brown, you can trim them just above the bulb.
Store in a Cool, Dark Place – Once the leaves have completely died back, store the bulb in a dark, dry place (like a basement or garage) at 50-55°F (10-13°C) for 8-10 weeks.
It is very important that your amaryllis is allowed a full dormancy period for 8-10 weeks to support reblooming next season!
How to Wake Up Amaryllis Bulbs from Dormancy
Find a Bright, Warm Spot – Place your amaryllis bulb in a warm location with bright, indirect sunlight. Near a sunny window will do just fine.
Provide Water – Water enough to moisten the soil. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings to hopefully prevent rot. Using a planter with drainage holes will help prevent excess water from sitting at the bulb’s base.
Rotate the Bulb – Since amaryllis flowers grow toward the light, turn the bulb every few days to encourage vertical growth.
With proper care, you’ll soon see your amaryllis sprouting new leaves and flower stalks!
Repeat the process so that your amaryllis bulbs can rebloom every year!
In Conclusion:
Amaryllis bulbs are too beautiful and resilient to discard after one bloom. Whether you’re new to amaryllis care or an experienced plant lover, you now have the knowledge to keep your waxed amaryllis bulb thriving for years to come.
So the next time you see your amaryllis flowers fading, don’t toss the bulb! With the right care, you’ll be rewarded with stunning amaryllis blooms again and again.
Have you successfully rebloomed an amaryllis or are going to try next time you get one? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
All the best!
Milissa Neirotti
This post was all about amaryllis bulb care and how to care for amaryllis indoor plants after blooming.
This post inspires me to grow Amaryllis plants. Not that I will but may someday! The directions are concise and easy to follow.
Do you grow them, Millisa? I’d guess that you do! Great post!!
Hi Kate!
Thank you for stopping by.
Yes! Some of those photos were taken in my home. The white waxed bulbs are my own amaryllis plants. That’s my kitchen sink and counter! I nurtured the “Second Blooms” as pictured in the post.
I’m excited to grow this new category of Home & Garden posts to inspire others!
All the best!
Milissa Neirotti
Amaryllis flowers are stunning, and it’s great to know that with a little care, they can bloom again and again. The tips on rehydrating the waxed bulb and giving it proper dormancy are super helpful – I had no idea you could get them to rebloom with just a little TLC!
Hello Milissa! This was a fun post to read. I must have admit That I know very little about grown things and are plant friends in general. With that said, over the last few years I have started to notice Plant life more and more as my wife has involved me in the process, She is a plant person and she has tasked me to irrigate her plants. 🙂 That has led to more of an interest for me. Thank you for this very interesting post about a plant I have never heard about before but is absolutely beautiful!
Melissa, Thanks for this detailed guide—so useful! I’ve never received a waxed amaryllis bulb before, but now I really want to try one. I love the idea of having a low-maintenance plant that can bloom again with the right care. Your step-by-step instructions make it feel totally doable, even for someone like me who’s still learning about plants. I’ll definitely be looking out for one next holiday season!