Don’t toss them out after the holidaysmove them outside and enjoy blooms in spring.
We’ve managed to keep these flowers aliveand even thrivingfrom Thanksgiving and Christmas to New Year’s Day.
Ourpotted poinsettiasare probably way past their prime, but chances are, ouramaryllisesare still going strong.
Credit:Steve Bender
Don’t throw out these flowers just because it’s January.
Can You Keep Amaryllis Plants For Reblooming?
Amaryllises are traditional blooms to give andgrow around Christmastime.
Like paperwhites, the real wow factor of these flowers is watching the bulbs blossom right before your eyes.
Amaryllis bulbs in pretty wrapping paper make great gifts for holiday hosts.
Over a few weeks, the bulbs will sprout Kelly green stalks and showy blooms.
Wax-dipped bulbs are an ingenious ideano watering or potting is required for them to grow.
These bulbs are spent after one growing season and won’t rebloom.
Bare bulbs, however, have a much longer lifespan and can be encouraged to rebloom.
Rather than tossing an amaryllis after the holidays, keep it outdoors for the spring and summer seasons.
In the rest of the South, you’re free to overwinter the plants indoors.
Once the flowers are spent, cut off the flower stalks without damaging the foliage.
Keep the bulb planted in its container, and continue to give it regular water and bright light.
After the last frost, move the amaryllis outdoors.
The bulbs can stay in containers or be transplanted into the ground if you live in USDA Zones 911.
Fertilize them with time-release granules in late spring and summer.
The foliage typically begins to yellow and die back when the plant is going dormant.
Stop watering while the bulb is dormant, whether it is planted inside or out.
Begin watering the bulb again when you notice it’s started sprouting.
Then move it back outdoors again after the last frost.
Maybe you planted the amaryllis outdoors and are worried it won’t survive a wet, cold winter.
Store the bulb in a dark, cool space for a minimum of two months.
Then plant the bulb in a pot with adequate drainage, leaving about a third of the bulb exposed.
Place the pot in a warm, sunny area indoors, keeping the soil barely moist.
