How to water Amaryllis

Plant

Amaryllis

Hippeastrum spp.

Type: indoor
Difficulty: Easy
Pet safety: Toxic to cats and dogs

Quick care

Light: Bright filtered light indoors; full sun to partial shade during active growth outdoors in mild weather
Water: When starting a dormant bulb, water sparingly until shoots or leaves begin to grow. Then water regularly enough to keep the potting mix lightly moist, but never leave the bulb sitting in water. After flowering, keep the leaves in bright light and continue watering so the bulb can rebuild energy. If you choose a cool resting period to time the next bloom, gradually reduce and pause watering while the bulb rests.
Soil: Use a loose, organic-rich potting mix that drains freely. A container only a little wider than the bulb helps keep the plant stable without surrounding it with a large volume of wet mix. Plant the lower roots and bulb base, leaving roughly the upper third to half of the bulb above the surface.

Care guides

Frequently asked questions

How do I care for Amaryllis?

See the full Amaryllis care cluster for species-specific watering guidance.

How this Amaryllis watering guide is reviewed?

Editorial policy Review board

Written by · Reviewed by LeafyPixels Review Board

This Amaryllis watering guide was researched and written by . Watering guidance, practical checks, and care recommendations for Amaryllis are checked against multiple independent references before publication.

We prioritize sources that hold up under scrutiny:

University cooperative extension bulletins and fact sheets (Penn State, Clemson, UMD, NC State, and similar programs)
Botanical garden and horticultural society publications
Peer-reviewed plant science and veterinary toxicology references where pet safety matters (including ASPCA Animal Poison Control)
Established reference works on indoor plant culture

The LeafyPixels editorial team then reviews the draft for clarity, step-by-step usefulness, and fit with real apartment and home conditions-not ideal greenhouse setups. When guidance changes materially, we update the page and note the revision date.

Sources used

ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Barbados Lily (n.d.) Hippeastrum spp. toxicity classification for cats and dogs, toxic principles, clinical signs, and the bulb as the most poisonous part. [Online]. Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/barbados-lily (Accessed: 1 March 2024).
Epic Gardening — How to Plant, Grow and Care for Flowering Amaryllis Plants (n.d.) Practical container size, bulb planting depth, pot drainage, bright indoor placement, and care through flowering. [Online]. Available at: https://www.epicgardening.com/amaryllis/ (Accessed: 1 March 2024).
Gardening Know How — How to Care for an Amaryllis (n.d.) Practical indoor growing, seasonal care, light, watering, keeping foliage after flowering, and potting guidance. [Online]. Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-care-instructions-how-to-care-for-an-amaryllis.htm (Accessed: 1 March 2024).
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Hippeastrum (n.d.) Scientific identity, family, native region, size, growth habit, light and soil range, bulb care, and human and pet risk flags. [Online]. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/hippeastrum/ (Accessed: 1 March 2024).
Royal Horticultural Society — Hippeastrum (n.d.) Common-name usage, size, indoor bulb planting, bright filtered light, watering stages, flowering temperature, summer care, rest, and repotting. [Online]. Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=118&cID=982 (Accessed: 1 March 2024).
The Spruce — How to Grow and Care for Amaryllis (n.d.) Practical potting, indoor light, watering checks, summer placement, and seasonal reblooming care. [Online]. Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/growing-amaryllis-1402227 (Accessed: 1 March 2024).
University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension — Amaryllis, Hippeastrum (n.d.) Difference between Hippeastrum and true Amaryllis, origin, bulb planting depth, pot size, drainage, watering, after-flowering care, and optional dormancy. [Online]. Available at: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/amaryllis-hippeastrum/ (Accessed: 1 March 2024).