Avoid the common Mistakes That Stop Amaryllis from Flowering and learn how to keep your plant healthy for stunning holiday blooms.
Amaryllis plants are popular for their large, colorful blooms, but there are some Common Mistakes That Stop Amaryllis from Flowering. Learn about these issues, and it will help you fix them and enjoy amaryllis blooms year after year.
Common Mistakes That Stop Amaryllis from Flowering
1. Not Allowing a Proper Rest Period
Amaryllis bulbs need a period of rest to store energy for the next bloom. If the plant doesn’t get this dormant phase, it won’t flower again.
After flowering, keep watering and feeding the plant until late summer. Then, stop watering and let the leaves die back naturally. Place the bulb in a cool, dark place (around 10–13°C or 50–55°F) for about 8–10 weeks. After this rest, bring it back to light and warmth to start new growth.
2. Overwatering the Bulb
Amaryllis bulbs are prone to rot if they sit in soggy soil. When the roots are damaged, the bulb cannot support healthy flower growth.
Always plant the bulb in well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid letting water collect in the saucer beneath the pot.
3. Insufficient Light
Light plays a big role in helping amaryllis store energy for blooming. If the plant spends months in dim light, it may grow long, weak leaves but no flowers.
After dormancy, place your amaryllis in a bright, sunny window. It needs at least 6–8 hours of indirect sunlight daily to build up energy for buds.
4. Not Feeding the Plant
Once the flowers fade, many people forget to fertilize the plant. But this is when the bulb is gathering nutrients for next season’s blooms. Without enough food, it won’t have the strength to flower again.
Feed the plant every 2–3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during the growing season. Stop fertilizing once the leaves start to yellow and die back before dormancy.
5. Cutting the Leaves Too Early
The leaves of an amaryllis are vital for photosynthesis — they help the bulb recharge its energy. Cutting them off too soon can weaken the bulb and prevent flowering.
Only trim the leaves when they turn yellow and dry naturally. This shows that the bulb has stored enough energy for the next bloom cycle.
6. Keeping the Bulb Buried Too Deep
If the bulb is planted too deeply in the soil, the flower stalk may not emerge properly.
Plant the bulb so that one-third of it remains above the soil surface. This position allows good air circulation and helps the bulb develop strong stems and buds.
7. Wrong Temperature
Amaryllis needs warmth to start growing, but cooler conditions to help the buds develop. If the temperature is too high or fluctuates too much, it can delay or prevent blooming.
Keep the plant in a warm spot (about 20–24°C or 68–75°F) while it is growing leaves and flower stalks. Once buds appear, move it to a slightly cooler place to make the blooms last longer.
8. Using a Weak or Old Bulb
Sometimes, the bulb itself is the problem. Small or weak bulbs often lack the stored energy needed to bloom.
Choose large, healthy bulbs when buying amaryllis. After flowering, care for the bulb properly so it stays strong for the next season.
9. Not Enough Time Between Blooms
Amaryllis bulbs typically need 10–12 months between flower cycles. If you try to force them to bloom too soon, they may skip a season.
Be patient and let the bulb go through its natural cycle of growth, rest, and bloom. Follow proper care, most amaryllis bulbs can flower once a year — sometimes even twice if conditions are ideal.
