How to Grow Amaryllis Bulbs: Planting Depth, Care and Rebloom
To grow amaryllis (Hippeastrum), plant the bulb pointed end up in a pot only a little wider than the bulb, with the upper half to two thirds of the bulb sitting above the soil. Water sparingly until a flower stalk or leaves appear. The step almost everyone misses comes after the flowers fade: keep the leaves growing in sun for months, because they rebuild the bulb for next year’s bloom.
Before you start
- Planting months (plains): October to February for late winter and spring flowers.
- Depth: bury only the lower third to half of the bulb; the neck and shoulders stay above the soil.
- Pot: about 3 to 5 cm wider than the bulb on each side; a 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inch) pot for a big bulb.
- Sun: bright light; 4 to 6 hours of sun while in leaf.
- Planting to flower: roughly six to ten weeks for a good bulb.
- Safety: the bulb is toxic to children, dogs and cats.
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When should you plant amaryllis bulbs?
Bulbs bought from nurseries in autumn are ready to grow, and in the plains the cool months suit them best.
- Karachi: October to January; they can stay outside in pots year round.
- Lahore, Faisalabad, Delhi: October to February. Flowers usually come February to April.
- Multan, Sukkur, Bahawalpur: October to December, so flowering finishes before the April heat.
- Islamabad, Peshawar: November indoors on a bright window, or February outdoors after frost.
- Hills: grow indoors; plant in spring for summer flowers.
Garden clumps of the old red desi amaryllis, common in Punjab lawns, often flower around March to April on their own rhythm. Treat them the same way.
How deep do you plant amaryllis bulbs?
The depth rule in centimetres
For a typical bulb about 8 to 10 cm across, put 5 to 8 cm of mix in the pot, sit the bulb on it roots down and pointed tip up, and fill around it so only the lower third to half is buried and the neck and shoulders stand clear of the soil line. A buried neck holds water and rots. In the ground, bury it slightly deeper, with just the neck showing. Leave the roots alone; if they are dry and wiry, soak just the root plate in water for a few hours before planting.
- Check the bulb. Firm, heavy, no soft spots or mould. Bigger bulbs usually mean more flower stalks.
- Pick the pot. Heavy clay or a weighted plastic pot; flower stalks are tall and top heavy.
- Mix: roughly 2 parts garden soil or loam, 1 part compost and 1 part coarse sand. See our potting mix ratios.
- Plant as above and firm the mix around the bulb.
- Water once, thoroughly, then barely at all until you see green growth. Wet soil plus no leaves equals rot.
- Light: a warm, bright spot. Turn the pot every few days so the stalk grows straight.
Amaryllis care while it’s growing and flowering
- Water: once leaves or a stalk are growing, water when the top 3 cm is dry; roughly weekly in winter.
- Light: plenty while it grows. Once flowers open, moving it out of direct sun makes them last longer.
- Staking: a thin bamboo stick beside the stalk stops it snapping in wind.
- Feeding: none needed before flowering; the bulb carries its own food.
Our page on how often to water potted plants has the finger test that works here too.
Amaryllis care after flowering
This is where reblooming is won or lost.
- Cut the faded flower stalk off near the bulb once it starts to wilt, so no seed forms. Leave every leaf.
- Put the plant in the sunniest spot you have, with afternoon shade from April onwards in the plains.
- Water regularly and feed every two to three weeks with a balanced or higher potash liquid fertiliser, from flowering through to about August.
- Through the monsoon, keep the pot under a roof edge to avoid waterlogging.
- In late summer or autumn, slow the water. Leaves yellow and wither; remove them once brown.
Summer dormancy and how to store amaryllis bulbs
In the plains, many bulbs rest naturally in the hot or late season. You have two choices.
- Leave it in the pot: lay the pot on its side in a shaded, dry, cool spot and don’t water for about eight to ten weeks. This is the easiest option.
- Lift and store: dig up the bulb after the leaves die back, trim dead leaves, brush off soil, let it dry in shade for a few days, and keep it in a paper bag or crate with dry sawdust in the coolest dark corner of the house. Check monthly for soft spots.
Replant in October to November, top up with fresh mix, and water once. New growth usually follows within weeks.
Why is my amaryllis not flowering?
| Reason | What happened |
|---|---|
| Leaves cut too early last year | The bulb couldn’t refill; it needs a full season in leaf |
| Too little sun after flowering | Weak leaves, small bulb |
| No rest period | Constant water can delay flowering |
| Bulb too small | Offsets usually need two to three years to reach flowering size |
| Pot far too big | Leaves, no flowers, risk of rot |
How to multiply amaryllis
Mature bulbs produce small side bulbs (offsets). When repotting, gently separate offsets that have their own roots and pot them individually. Grow them on in sun with regular feeding; they typically flower after a couple of years. Seed is possible but takes several years to reach flowering size, and hybrids won’t come true.
Can amaryllis grow in pots, or is the ground better?
Both work. Pots are better in hot dry zones and in heavy clay, because you control drainage and can move them into shade or under a roof in the monsoon. In Karachi and Lahore gardens, the hardy red types naturalise in well drained beds and form clumps over years.
Amaryllis bulbs contain lycorine and related alkaloids; the bulb is the most toxic part. Eating it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in children and pets, and larger amounts can cause tremors and heart rhythm problems. Store loose bulbs where children and dogs can’t reach them, never near onions in the kitchen, and wear gloves if your skin is sensitive. If a child or pet chews a bulb, call a poison helpline, doctor or vet straight away. See our poisonous plants for kids and pets list. More bulb and flower guides are in Phool aur Paudhe.
Amaryllis questions people ask
Which way up do you plant an amaryllis bulb?
Pointed end up, roots down. The flat root plate at the base faces the soil, and the neck sits above the surface.
How long does amaryllis take to flower after planting?
Usually six to ten weeks for a good sized bulb in warm, bright conditions. Cool weather slows it.
Can I plant amaryllis in the ground in Pakistan?
Yes, in a well drained, sunny bed. Clay soil that stays wet in the monsoon rots bulbs, so raise the bed or mix in sand.
Should I cut the leaves off after flowering?
No. Cut only the old flower stalk. The leaves feed the bulb for next year and should stay until they yellow on their own.
How often should I water an amaryllis?
Barely until growth appears, then when the top few centimetres dry. Stop during dormancy.
Can amaryllis flower twice a year?
Sometimes a large bulb sends up a second stalk soon after the first, but a true second season of flowers in one year is unusual.
Is amaryllis poisonous to cats and dogs?
Yes, especially the bulb. Chewing it can cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea, and more serious signs in larger amounts.
Can I keep amaryllis bulbs in the fridge?
You can for a cool rest if there is no fruit in the fridge, but a cool dark cupboard is usually enough in the plains. Keep them away from food to avoid mix ups.