The amaryllis is a popular bulb plant that produces large, showy flowers on tall stems during winter and spring. While each bulb only blooms once per season, proper post-bloom care ensures healthy growth so your amaryllis will flower again and again for years to come. A key part of this care is learning when and how to cut back the flower stalk once blooming ends.
Read on to learn about the amaryllis growth cycle, signs that it’s time to trim expired blooms, and proper techniques for cutting back the stem. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to maximize future reblooming.
The Amaryllis Growth Cycle
Understanding the stages amaryllis bulbs go through each year is helpful context when learning how to cut back blooms, Here is a general overview of the amaryllis growth cycle
-
Spring The bulb begins sending up leafy green foliage No flowers appear during this stage
-
Summer: The leaves fully develop to gather sunlight and nourish the bulb for next year’s blooms.
-
Fall: The leaves start dying back as the plant enters dormancy. The bulb is storing energy.
-
Winter: Flower stalks emerge and spectacular blooms open. This stage lasts 4-6 weeks.
-
Spring again: Blooms fade, stalks are cut back, and the cycle begins anew.
The key takeaway here is that the foliage fuels the bulb during the growth phase in order to produce next year’s flowers. So you want lush, healthy leaves before cutting them back to rest the bulb. With this context, let’s look at how to properly time post-bloom care.
When to Cut Back Amaryllis Blooms
It’s tempting to trim spent amaryllis blooms immediately once they fade, but exercising a bit of patience is key. Here are signs it’s the right time:
-
The flowers and stalks have all withered and turned brown.
-
The stalks feel hollow and dry when squeezed.
-
Leaves are at least a few inches tall, indicating active growth.
Cutting too early means sacrificing the leaves still feeding the bulb. Waiting too long risks rot entering through the dying stalks. Aim for trimming 2-4 weeks after peak flowering when new growth is established.
For timed forcing, cut back 6 weeks after the bulbs sprout, even if there are lingering flowers. The leaves need time to develop before dormancy. Now let’s get into technique.
How to Cut Back Amaryllis Flower Stalks
Cutting back amaryllis flower stems is simple using just a few basic steps:
-
Start by removing any withered flowers or side shoots by pinching or snipping with sharp scissors or shears.
-
Identify where the main flower stalk emerges from the top of the bulb. There is usually a dried remnant remaining.
-
Use sterilized shears to cut off the entire flower stalk about 1-2 inches above the bulb. A slanted cut works well.
-
Optionally apply a powdered bulb fungicide or cinnamon to the cut end to prevent infection.
-
Discard the dried stalks and spent flowers in the trash or compost. Do not leave any plant material attached to the bulb.
-
Water the plant and provide bright, indirect light as the leaves continue growing. Fertilize lightly if needed.
And that’s it! With the stalks removed, all the plant’s energy goes toward leaf production and feeding the bulb for next year’s bloom.
What to Do With Leaves After Blooms Fade
Once blooms fade and stalks are trimmed, those leaves are the MVPs. Here are tips for optimal foliage care:
-
Continue watering when the top inch of soil is dry. Don’t oversaturate.
-
Place in a bright window but avoid hot direct sunlight. Turn the pot regularly.
-
Stake taller leaves to prevent toppling and damage.
-
Remove any yellowing leaves promptly to prevent disease spread.
-
Allow the leaves to fully yellow and die back naturally by late summer.
-
Once all leaves brown, cut them off, stop watering, and store the dormant bulb in a cool, dry place until fall.
Strong spring foliage is crucial for repeat flowering. Be patient with their care and don’t prematurely remove leaves.
What to Do if Leaves Emerge Before Flowers
Sometimes amaryllis bulbs get out of sync and start sending up leaves before blooms. This means they didn’t get enough chill time to set flowers properly. Here’s what to do:
-
Allow the leaves to grow until they are about 5 inches tall.
-
Then carefully snap them off at the base without damaging the bulb. Discard the leaves.
-
Return the bulb to a cool 40-50 degree location for 8-10 weeks.
-
After the cooling period, resume watering and normal care. Flower stalks should emerge on schedule.
With this reset, your amaryllis will get back into its natural cycle for future growth and reblooming.
Troubleshooting Issues With Reblooming
If your amaryllis fails to reflower after proper post-bloom care, here are some possible causes and solutions:
-
Insufficient sunlight during foliage growth phase – Move to a sunnier location.
-
Improper storage temperatures – Store dormant bulb between 40-50 degrees F.
-
Watering too late into dormancy – Gradually reduce water starting in late summer.
-
Forcing bulb too frequently – Allow natural growth cycle every 2 years.
-
Nutrient deficiency – Fertilize monthly during leafy stage with balanced liquid fertilizer.
-
Bulb degradation – After forcing 3-6 times, discard and replace with new bulb.
Reblooming issues aside, cutting back amaryllis blooms properly is vital for nurturing continuous flower production in seasons to come.
Ready to Rebloom!
Understanding when and how to cut back spent amaryllis flower stems takes some patience and practice. But this important post-bloom chore, along with attentive year-round care, will keep bulbs thriving and flowering for years of enjoyment.
Soon you’ll have the reblooming process mastered and anticipate those vibrant winter flowers bursting from the bulbs you nurtured through a proper growth and dormancy cycle. Just be diligent about cutting back the stalks at the right time and you’ll be rewarded with amaryllis flowers again and again.
Question: What should I do with my amaryllis after it is done blooming?
Some individuals discard their amaryllis after it is done blooming. However, it’s possible to save the amaryllis and force it to flower again next year.
Proper cultural practices must be followed to successfully grow and reflower amaryllis bulbs. After the flowers fade, cut off the flower stalk with a sharp knife or pruners. Make the cut 1 to 2 inches above the bulb. Dont damage the foliage. In order for the bulb to bloom again next season, the plant must replenish its depleted food reserves. The strap-like leaves manufacture food for the plant. Place the plant in a sunny window and water when the soil surface is nearly dry. Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution.
How to trim an amaryllis plant
FAQ
When should amaryllis be cut back?
Where to cut dead amaryllis after flowering?
Should I cut the long leaves off my amaryllis?
How do you prune an Amaryllis?
To give a better understanding of pruning an amaryllis, here are some examples. If a stem is growing too tall, use sharp pruning shears to cut the stem back to just above a leaf node. This will help encourage more blooms and keep the plant compact. If a stem is growing too close to another stem, use sharp pruning shears to trim it back.
Can Amaryllis be cut back?
Otherwise, they can be trimmed back as needed before the plants produce new growth. At any time, old or declining leaves can be removed from amaryllis and replaced with new ones. Do you cut dead flowers off amaryllis?
How do you take care of a cut Amaryllis?
Schedule for looking after cut amaryllis flowers: Start with a well-cleaned vase. Place a mixture of water and a good quality floral food into the vase. Place the cut flowers into the vase ensuring the lower part of the stalk is sitting in the water. Place the vase in a bright warm spot but not in direct sunlight.
How do you cut an amaryllis flower?
Amaryllis flowers bud from the tip of long straight stalks that grow separately from the leaves. When cutting an amaryllis flower almost the entire stalk should be removed from the bulb as this will give the flower the best chance for a longer vase-life. Make sure you cut the amaryllis flower low down on the stem. Cut it about 1″ above the bulb.
