How Often to Water a Amaryllis

Hippeastrum · Difficulty: Easy

Flowering ☠️ Toxic to cats & dogs (bulb is most toxic - contains lycorine, can cause vomiting and lethargy)
☀️ Summer / active growth Every 6-8 days
❄️ Winter / dormant Dormant - little to no water (see note)
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Care Snapshot

LightBright, indirect to direct light
SoilWell-draining potting mix, bulb planted with its neck above the soil line
HumidityAverage home humidity is fine (30-50%)
Temperature18-24°C (65-75°F) while growing; cooler and dry during dormancy
Pet Safety☠️ Toxic to cats & dogs (bulb is most toxic - contains lycorine, can cause vomiting and lethargy)

Want a personalized schedule based on your pot size and light? Try the free watering calculator.

Signs of Overwatering

A bulb sitting in constantly wet soil, especially during its dormant rest period, will rot at the base and turn soft and foul-smelling.

Signs of Underwatering

The strappy leaves and the thick flower stalk both droop and can bend over if the soil dries out completely during active growth.

Adjusting for the Seasons

A true bulb with a genuine dormancy cycle: after flowering and once the leaves yellow, cut back watering almost entirely and let the bulb rest for 8-10 weeks before starting the cycle again for a repeat bloom.

Pro Tip

Plant the bulb with the top third exposed above the soil line, not fully buried - burying it too deep is one of the most common reasons an amaryllis bulb fails to flower.

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