How-to Guide
How to Care for Amaryllis and Get It to Rebloom
The short answer
An amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is not a one-shot holiday decoration — the bulb can rebloom for years. While in leaf, University of Illinois Extension says to keep it in a sunny window and water when the top two inches of soil feel dry; after buds show color, a cooler spot extends the bloom.
The rebloom recipe: after flowering, cut the spent stalk once it yellows but keep the leaves growing all summer (bright light, regular water, monthly fertilizer, outdoors after frost if you like). In fall, give the bulb a dry rest in a cool (45-55 F), dark place for roughly eight to twelve weeks, then water thoroughly and move it to a warm sunny spot — flowers usually develop about 4 to 6 weeks later.
Care while blooming
- Sunny window; keep soil moist but not soggy — water when the top 2 inches are dry (Illinois).
- Once buds show color, move the pot somewhere cooler to make the flowers last longer.
- Remove each faded flower so the plant does not waste energy setting seed — seed formation can reduce blooming in later years.
After flowering: build the bulb
- 1Leave the stalk until it yellows — The green stalk photosynthesizes and feeds the bulb; cut it only when it starts to yellow (Illinois).
- 2Grow the leaves hard — Bright indoor light (a southern exposure), regular water, and monthly fertilizer through spring and summer. The strap leaves are what charge next winter's flowers.
- 3Summer outdoors (optional) — After frost danger, move the pot outside — filtered sun at first, working up to at least six hours of sun a day. Bring it back in before the first fall frost.
The dormant rest and rebloom
- 1Rest 8-12 weeks — Put the bulb in a cool (45 to 55 F), dark location for approximately eight to twelve weeks. Do not water; remove leaves as they yellow.
- 2Restart — Water thoroughly and move the pot to a warmer, sunny location.
- 3Count forward — Flowers usually develop about 4-6 weeks after the dormant period ends — start the rest in early fall for holiday bloom.
✔ The most common reason an amaryllis never reblooms is a starved bulb: leaves cut off too early, no summer feeding, or seed pods left to ripen. Fat leaves all summer equal flowers next winter.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- University of Illinois Extension — How to take care of amaryllis and get them to rebloom — Water when top 2 inches dry; leave stalk until it yellows; monthly fertilizing; summer outdoors up to 6+ hours sun; dormancy at 45-55 F dark for 8-12 weeks without water; flowers about 4-6 weeks after restarting; seed formation reduces future bloom