Bloomed... now what?
I asked Tommy if we could bring my amaryllis plant to The Greenbrier to shoot a reel in the most stunning location. He gave me the you’ve lost it look—and the valet didn’t hide their confusion either when we unloaded the car. 😅 But trust me on this: don’t toss your amaryllis bulbs after they bloom! With the right care, they can put on a spectacular show again and again. ✨
Here’s your step-by-step guide for post-bloom care and encouraging a gorgeous rebloom:
1. Cutting Back the Flower Stalk
Once the flowers begin to fade, cut the flower stalk about 1-2 inches above the bulb. Avoid cutting the foliage, as the leaves are still essential for storing energy for the next bloom cycle.
2. Continue to Care for the Leaves
Leave the leaves intact. They are critical for photosynthesis and will help the bulb regain energy.
Place your amaryllis in a bright location where it can continue to receive good light. Ensure the temperature is around 60-70°F (15-21°C).
Water the plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Be careful not to overwater.
3. Fertilize the Plant
After the flowers have faded, it’s a good idea to feed the amaryllis with a balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) about once a month. This helps the bulb store nutrients for the next blooming cycle.
4. Allow the Bulb to Rest
Amaryllis typically needs a rest period to rebloom. Here’s how to do that:
After the leaves have yellowed and died back, cut them off. This typically happens 6-8 weeks after the flowers fade.
Stop watering the plant and allow the bulb to dry out. You can place it in a cool, dry spot (like a closet or basement) for 8-10 weeks. A temperature of about 50-55°F (10-13°C) is ideal during the dormancy period.
Remove the bulb from the soil at the end of the dormancy period if you prefer. If you leave it in the pot, reduce watering to once every few weeks, just enough to prevent the bulb from shriveling.
5. Re-pot and Encourage New Growth
After the dormancy period, you can:
Re-pot the bulb in fresh potting mix if it was removed from the soil. Leave about a third of the bulb above the soil line.
Water lightly to start, and place the bulb in a warm, sunny location (preferably around 70°F/21°C).
Fertilize once growth starts to appear again, about once a month, using a balanced fertilizer.
6. Trigger Reblooming
Amaryllis typically blooms in 6-8 weeks after being brought out of dormancy, but some varieties may take longer.
If you want to encourage your plant to bloom at a specific time (for instance, around the holidays), start the dormancy period earlier in the year.
Extra Tips:
Do not overwater during dormancy—the bulb is resting, and excessive moisture can cause rot.
If you have multiple bulbs, stagger their dormancy periods to enjoy blooms at different times throughout the year. If you want to plant in your garden, wait until your last frost free date!
What to Do After Your Paperwhites Bloom: Soil vs. Water Guide
After your paperwhite bulbs (Narcissus tazetta) bloom, you can either treat them as annuals or attempt to get them to rebloom. Paperwhites are typically grown as indoor bulbs, and while they don’t require a long dormancy period like other bulbs, their reblooming potential is a bit more limited. Here's what you can do with them after they bloom:
Caring for Paperwhites Grown in Soil:
Cut Back the Blooms
Once the flowers have faded, cut the flower stalks back to about 1 inch above the bulb. Leave the leaves intact to continue photosynthesis, which helps the bulb store energy for the next cycle.
Keep Watering
Water regularly as long as the leaves are green. Water the soil when it feels dry to the touch, but avoid overwatering. Ensure the pot has drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Fertilize Monthly
Feed your paperwhites once a month with a balanced, liquid fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) to provide essential nutrients as the bulb regenerates.
Let the Bulb Rest (Optional)
After the leaves start to yellow (typically 6-8 weeks after blooming), cut back the foliage and stop watering. Let the bulb go dormant for a few weeks to help it recharge for future blooms. This period of dormancy is not essential but may help promote better blooms next time.
Re-pot or Leave in the Same Pot
If you want to continue growing the bulb for the next season, you can either leave it in the same pot or re-pot it into fresh soil after dormancy.
Replant in fresh potting mix, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed, and continue watering lightly as new growth appears.
Sunlight & Temperature
Place the bulb in a bright, sunny spot for best results. Paperwhites prefer temperatures between 60-70°F (15-21°C).
Caring for Paperwhites Grown in Water like my bulb vases (No Soil):
Cut Back the Blooms
Once the flowers have faded, cut off the flower stalks at the base. The leaves can stay intact for photosynthesis, just like in soil-grown paperwhites.
Change the Water Regularly
Replace the water every 1-2 weeks to keep it fresh and avoid stagnation. Don’t let the bulb sit in water that’s too deep—ensure the water level only touches the base of the bulb.
No Fertilizer Needed
Unlike soil-grown paperwhites, you don’t need to fertilize when growing in water, as the bulb has already used up the nutrients during the forcing process. The bulb is likely exhausted after blooming, so no additional feeding is necessary.
Let the Bulb Rest
After blooming, stop watering the bulb. Allow the bulb to rest for a few weeks in a cool, dry place. If you’re ready to try again, you can start fresh with a new batch of bulbs.
Store or Discard the Bulb
After the resting period, the bulb will likely be spent and won’t bloom again, as it doesn’t have soil to support it. You can either discard the bulb or use it for decorative purposes.
If you want to attempt reblooming, remove the bulb from the vase, let it dry out for a couple of weeks, and try replanting it in soil for the next cycle.
Starting Fresh
If you’d like to grow more paperwhites in water, start a new batch. Place the fresh bulbs back into the vase with pebbles or glass stones, ensuring the water level is just below the base of the bulbs.
XOXO, Carmen