Home » Blog » Amaryllis Care 101 Amaryllis Care 101 February 3, 2014 Bulbs, Plants, Timely Tips, Van Putte Gardens Amaryllis are some of the easiest, largest, and most exotic bulb flowers you can grow inside your own home. Let’s be honest; who wouldn’t want huge bright blooms like these brightening up their dining table while the snow is blowing around outside? 🙂 Amaryllis are subtropical and do not require a cold period like so many other bulb flowers, which makes overwintering them pretty doable for those with a less-than-fully-green thumb. So, if you enjoyed your amaryllis this season, follow these steps to get an encore of its stunning blooms year after year! As your amaryllis winds down its flowering, deadhead each bloom as it withers. When all blooms are done flowering, cut off the stem about 6″ above the bulb, but leave the leaves. Fertilize with an all-purpose houseplant food fertilizer (like Miracle-Gro). Plant outside for the summer after the last chance of frost (after Memorial Day is usually safe in Rochester). This period is good for the bulb to replenish its nutrients and rest. Remember to water it if we have a dry spell. Note: You can leave the bulb in its pot and just plant the whole thing outdoors if you’d like. This helps prevent insects from getting to the bulb, and prevents disrupting the roots with multiple transplantings. In the early fall or if the foliage begins to turn yellow, cut it off. Bring your plant indoors around the end of September/beginning of October (before the threat of frost), and start watering again. Enjoy its new cycle of big, bold & beautiful winter blooms!