Trumpet-shaped, starry amaryllis flowers are beloved holiday decorations. But did you know you don’t have to toss them out once the festive season is over?
You can prune these plants and encourage them to regrow the following year.
How? It’s simple! Remove the leaves and store them over summer until the colder period approaches again.
Here’s a more detailed guide on how you can do it like a pro!
Let’s get started!
Why Prune Amaryllis Leaves?
If you want to take care of amaryllis and trigger blooming, you need to prune them. This will promote healthy growth the following season and you won’t have to spend extra money buying a new plant.
Removing the spent flower heads after blooming will encourage your plant to produce more leaves. In return, this will trigger bulb development and prevent seed formation.
It may seem odd to prevent your plant from producing seeds, but it’s actually a good thing. By doing this, you allow your amaryllis to focus on bulb development. This will result in more vigorous plant growth and more vibrant blossoms the following year.
The key is to only remove the flower head, not the entire stem. Leave the stem and leaves until they turn yellow because they will photosynthesize food and energy the bulbs need for optimal growth.
During this period, keep your plant in a sunlit location because it needs light to photosynthesize. Still, don’t expose it to direct sunlight because it can burn its foliage.
When To Cut Back This Plant
Just like it’s important to know when to plant amaryllis indoors, it’s also important to understand when to cut it back.
Spring is the ideal season for pruning this flower! By then, you should notice a change in the amaryllis’ foliage. It will turn yellow and start drooping, which is your cue to cut them back.
Monitor your plant regularly after it finishes blooming so that you can notice any changes in its appearance.
Also, don’t remove the foliage as soon as your plant stops flowering. Keep watering and feeding your plant (1-2 times per month) to encourage bulb development.
This technique will give your amaryllis the best chance of regrowing the following year. It will also keep its foliage a healthy green color for longer, allowing its bulb to store more food and energy.
How To Prune Amaryllis
When the time comes, take a pair of sharp and clean scissors and cut the wilted leaves and stems as close to the bulb as possible.
Keep the bulbs in pots and store them in a cool and dry spot. You can keep your amaryllis outside as long as you shelter it from winds and sunlight.
The bulbs will need to go through dormancy for 8-10 weeks before they can regrow.
Once that’s over, you can revive your amaryllis bulbs. October and November are the perfect months to do it if you want to have flowers ready for Christmas.