Amaryllis
Easy the first year; flowering again depends entirely on how well you feed the leaves after the flowers fade.
Care
A bright window while growing; turn the pot to keep the stem straight.
Sparingly until the stem shows, then medium while in leaf; dry from late summer for the rest period.
Loam-based compost with grit, in a pot just 2-3cm wider than the bulb.
Cut the flower stem off near the bulb once faded, but keep the leaves: they feed next year's flowers.
A high-potash liquid feed every two weeks from the end of flowering until late summer, to build up the bulb.
Offset bulbs detached when repotting in autumn take two or three years to flower.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- JanuarySupport tall flower stems with a thin cane. how ›
- MayKeep leaves growing and feed through spring and summer. how ›
- SeptemberStop watering and let the leaves die down for a rest of about eight weeks. how ›
- OctoberPot up with the top third of the bulb above the compost and start watering. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuarySupport tall flower stems with a thin cane. how ›
- MayKeep leaves growing and feed through spring and summer. how ›
- SeptemberStop watering and let the leaves die down for a rest of about eight weeks. how ›
- OctoberPot up with the top third of the bulb above the compost and start watering. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuarySupport tall flower stems with a thin cane. how ›
- AprilKeep leaves growing and feed through spring and summer. how ›
- SeptemberStop watering and let the leaves die down for a rest of about eight weeks. how ›
- OctoberPot up with the top third of the bulb above the compost and start watering. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuarySupport tall flower stems with a thin cane. how ›
- AprilKeep leaves growing and feed through spring and summer. how ›
- OctoberStop watering and let the leaves die down for a rest of about eight weeks. how ›
- NovemberPot up with the top third of the bulb above the compost and start watering. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Only leaves appear the second year.
What to do. Not fed or not rested enough; feed well after flowering and give a dry rest.
How to spot it. Red streaks on leaves, stems and bulb scales.
What to do. Fungal; remove affected tissue and avoid wetting the bulb.
How to spot it. Soft bulb base.
What to do. Compost too wet during rest; keep it dry.
Questions
Amaryllis: is it hardy?
H2: Tender. It survives down to 1 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — grown as a pot plant.
Amaryllis: when do you prune it?
Cut the flower stem off near the bulb once faded, but keep the leaves: they feed next year's flowers.
Amaryllis: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in December–March.
When do you feed it?
A high-potash liquid feed every two weeks from the end of flowering until late summer, to build up the bulb. Feeding months, UK: March–August.