Amaryllis Flowers

Photo: Jane Birt

Amaryllis flowers can often be seen this time of year and into the New Year. 

The University of Minnesota page (link below) provides information about selecting, planting and caring for the bulbs. The most often question this time of year is how to keep them so they will bloom in future years. Here is an excerpt from their page on After Care.

“The secret to keeping amaryllis thriving for years is to keep the plants actively growing AFTER they have finished blooming.

• After the flowers have faded, cut them off to prevent seed formation. Seed formation will deplete important energy reserves in the bulb and reduce blooming.
• Do not remove the flower stalk until it has turned yellow. 
• A green stem will continue to promote photosynthesis, which creates energy that is stored in the bulb for future leaf growth and flowers.
• If the bulb does not produce a flowering stalk in the next blooming period, it is likely that has not stored enough nutrients during the post-blooming period.
• Keeping the plant healthy and growing will promote blooming.
• After your plant has finished blooming, place it in the sunniest possible location indoors. It will continue to grow long, smooth leaves. These leaves will promote photosynthesis.
• Continue to water and fertilize the plant regularly with an all-purpose houseplant plant fertilizer.”

Here's the link:

University of Minnesota Extension

https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/amaryllis#after-flowering-care-858663

~Carol Kagan, Master Gardener