We regularly receive questions about Wax Amaryllises. Our Wax Amaryllises are guaranteed to bloom. We sell only the best quality, and every wax flower bulb we sell is first inspected by our quality inspector. The Amaryllis is a flower bulb that blooms "dry," meaning the bulb carries all the nutrients it needs to bloom. Using this technique, the Amaryllis will bloom once with at least two stems. A "regular" Amaryllis bulb can bloom for several years if properly cared for. While anyone is free to try, remember that it took years of trial and error to perfect the product as it is today.
At the beginning of the Wax Amaryllis "season," primarily red Amaryllises are used. This is due to the bulb’s "readiness," meaning the speed at which the bulb wants to bloom. Tests have shown that some varieties bloom faster and earlier in the year than others. Due to the high demand for Wax Amaryllis bulbs, we unfortunately cannot yet specify the exact colour used for each type of wax. However, it is our intention to provide this information in the future.
By Kerry Ann Mendez. Who would have guessed that there is a gorgeous flowering plant that requires less maintenance than an air plant?! I wasn't sure what to think when I first saw it. Was it seasonal decor? An edible? Nope. The flower is sure to be quite the conversation piece and once the magnificent show is finished, just peel the wax off and toss the bulb in the compost pile. However, if you love challenges and are a perennial optimist, you could go through the maneuvers to get it to bloom again. We offer these no-fuss beauties in a number of brilliant colors.
What is Amaryllis and how is Wax Amaryllis different?
Amaryllis ()[1] is the only genus in the subtribe Amaryllidinae (tribe Amaryllideae). It is a small genus of flowering bulbs, with two species. Plants of the genus Amaryllis are known as belladonna lily, Jersey lily, naked lady, amarillo, Easter lily in Southern Australia or, in South Africa, March lily due to its propensity to flower around March. This is one of numerous genera with the common name 'lily' due to their flower shape and growth habit. However, they are only distantly related to the true lily, Lilium. Amaryllis is a bulbous plant, with each bulb being 5-10 cm in diameter. Each bulb produces one or two leafless, stout, persistent and erect stems 30-60 cm tall, each of which bears at the top a cluster of two to twelve zygomorphic, funnel-shaped flowers without a tube. Each flower is 6-10 cm in diameter with six spreading tepals. The usual color is white with crimson veins, but pink or purple also occur naturally.
The common name "naked lady" comes from the plant's pattern of flowering when the foliage has died down. In areas of its native habitat with mountainous fynbos, flowering tends to be suppressed until after bush fires as dense overhead vegetation prevents growth. In more open sandy areas of the Western Cape, the plant flowers annually. The bulb is then dormant until late summer. The plant has a symbiotic relationship with carpenter bees and is also visited by noctuid moths at night. The relative importance of these insects as pollinators has not yet been established; however, carpenter bees are thought to be the main pollinators of amaryllis on the Cape Peninsula.
Waxed bulbs versus traditional bulbs
Waxed amaryllis bulbs are coated in colorful wax and are available in many catalogs, stores, and garden centers. They do not require water or soil because they contain enough stored energy to flower for the season. They do need light and warmth to bloom. Expect two flowering stalks per bulb. Often, the wax is poured so that the bottom of the amaryllis bulb sits flat, ensuring it stands upright. Waxed bulbs are intended to be grown as single-use bulbs; when flowering is done, discard the bulb. Remove the wax before composting as some waxes may not readily break down in your compost pile. Can I get my waxed amaryllis bulb to rebloom? While it is not recommended to save waxed bulbs, you can potentially get them to rebloom with diligent care.
- Once the last flower stalk has faded, leaves will begin to slowly emerge. Carefully remove the wax from the outside of the bulb, taking care not to damage emerging roots.
- Inspect the bulb for sunken, soft, or dark areas that indicate rot; discard signs of disease.
- Pot up the bulb in the same way as a regular non-waxed bulb using well-drained potting soil and a container 1-2 inches larger than the bulb.
- Provide adequate light and fertilization in spring and summer to promote growth and restore carbohydrate reserves.
- After a fall dormancy, a new flower stalk should emerge and bloom, if conditions are favorable.
Growing Wax Amaryllis versus Non-Waxed
Waxed amaryllis bulbs make excellent gifts because they are easy to care for and grow as they require no water or soil. Simply place the bulb in bright, indirect light. Flower stalks emerge in 4 to 6 weeks, utilizing stored carbohydrates in the large bulb. Rotate the bulb every few days to keep the stalk growing straight. Often two to four stalks will grow, producing blooms for up to three weeks. Remove each flower stalk as the last bloom on it fades.
When purchasing waxed bulbs, avoid those that have started to bloom or have spent flower stalks. These bulbs may not bloom well in a home setting. Waxed bulbs are typically single-use; after flowering, discard them. If you manage to rebloom a waxed bulb, remove the wax, replant in soil, and provide normal care with light and fertilization during spring and summer to build reserves again.
Propagation and Offshoots
Over time some amaryllis plants form side bulbs. These can be separated during dormancy (late summer/fall) and repotted to form new plants with the same color and pattern as the parent. For larger bulbs, the process may be slower and require several years. Not all varieties readily produce side bulbs; for these, chipping is used to propagate. The chip method divides the bulb into sections, each containing a portion of the basal plate, which then forms a new bulblet.
The propagation by chipping involves trimming the bulb, drying pieces, dipping in fungicide, and placing in moist vermiculite. After storage, bulblets form between the basal plate and the surrounding scales. Plant each bulblet in a small pot and care as usual. With time, these bulblets will mature into flowering bulbs.
Caring for Amaryllis indoors and outdoors
Amaryllis bulbs are typically grown indoors for winter blooms and can be moved outdoors after frost danger passes. They prefer well-drained soil and full to part sun. When grown outdoors, plant in a sunny location with good drainage and fertilize periodically with low-nitrogen formulations. Indoors, provide bright light (southern exposure ideal) and keep temperatures around 70-75°F until roots and leaves form, then reduce to about 65-70°F to extend flowering life.
Watering is critical: water thoroughly after planting, then allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Increase watering when the flower stalks appear. After flowering, continue to care for leaves to replenish carbohydrates, and fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer. If the stems bend under heavy blooms, staking may be necessary. Cut spent blooms above the bulb to prevent seed formation.
Common problems and precautions
The main disease problems include mosaic virus, bulb rots, and red blotch. Mosaic virus causes yellow streaking and reduced growth; rot arises from overly wet soil or bruised bulbs. Red blotch causes reddish-brown spots on the bulb and leaves. Insects such as scale, mites, thrips, bulb maggots, and mealybugs can pose problems. All parts of the amaryllis are poisonous to humans and pets in large quantities.
Types and cultivars
There are over 90 species and hundreds of hybrids. Excellent single-blooming cultivars include Apple Blossom, Blushing Bride, Christmas Gift, Merry Christmas, Minerva, Naranja, Picotee, Prince Carnaval, Orange Sovereign, Red Lion, and Wedding Dance. Double-flowering and miniature cultivars offer additional variations such as Aphrodite, Blossom Peacock, Dancing Queen, Inferno, Lady Jane, Rozetta, Pasadena, Snow White, White Nymph, Baby Star, Fairytale, Green Goddess, Lemon Sorbet, Neon, among others. Potting and forcing guidance varies between South African-grown bulbs ( typically 3-5 weeks to bloom) and Dutch-grown bulbs (typically 6-8 weeks).
Care after bloom and rebloom strategies
After bloom, some individuals discard the amaryllis; however, rebloom is possible with proper care. Begin by removing the flower stalks and allowing foliage to photosynthesize and replenish the bulb. In late spring, move outdoors if conditions allow and continue to water and fertilize. To rebloom, a dormancy period may be induced at 50-55°F for 8-10 weeks, with withholding water and foliage removal, then restart growth in a warm, bright location. An alternative is to maintain green growth through fall and winter at 50-55°F, then move to warmer conditions to trigger bloom.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of amaryllis are available for forcing indoors?
- How do I pot up an amaryllis bulb?
- When should I plant to have blooms by Christmas?
- What should I do with my amaryllis after it is done blooming?
- When can I move my amaryllis outdoors?
- Can an amaryllis bulb saved from a previous year produce leaves but not bloom?
Waxed Amaryllis Update & Aftercare! 🥰💚// Garden Answer
Tables and practical data
| Aspect | Wax Amaryllis | Traditional Amaryllis |
|---|---|---|
| Watering needs | No water required during wax phase | Water as needed after planting |
| Bloom cycle | 2 stems per bulb, 2-4 weeks display | 1-3 stems, 4-8 weeks after potting |
| Rebloom likelihood | Low; often single-use | High with proper care |
| Care after bloom | Discard bulb after bloom | Foliage care and dormancy cycle |
In summary, Wax Amaryllis provide an easy, low-maintenance option for dramatic winter color with guaranteed bloom. They are sold as decorative wax-coated bulbs that require light and warmth but no watering or soil during their active display. Traditional Amaryllis offer broader cultivation options, including soil-based growth, outdoor planting, and multiple rebloom cycles with attentive care.