Amaryllis bulbs in wax need no water and no soil. Set the bulb in bright, indirect light at room temperature, turn it every few days, and a flower stalk usually appears in 4 to 6 weeks, according to Iowa State University Extension. The flowers last about three weeks. After that, most waxed bulbs end up in the compost, but with a little work you can strip the wax, pot the bulb and try to get it to bloom again.
Here's how a waxed amaryllis works, how to keep it blooming as long as possible, what to do when it's finished, and whether saving it is worth the effort.
What is a waxed amaryllis?
A waxed amaryllis is an ordinary amaryllis bulb (Hippeastrum) sealed in a coat of colored wax, often with a small stand or flat base so it sits upright without a pot. The bulb already holds the food it needs to flower once, which is why it can bloom with no water or soil. They're sold as "waterless" or "no-water" amaryllis and are popular as holiday gifts, since there's nothing to set up.
The trade-off: the wax keeps water out, so the bulb can't refill what it spends on flowering. Iowa State University Extension describes waxed bulbs as "intended to be grown as single-use bulbs." That doesn't mean you have to throw one away, as you'll see below.
How to care for amaryllis bulbs in wax
Caring for amaryllis bulbs in wax comes down to light, warmth and turning. There is no watering step at all.
1Give it bright, indirect light
Iowa State University Extension recommends bright, indirect light, and Jackson & Perkins suggests a windowsill or a well-lit desk. In dim light the stalk stretches and leans toward the window. If your brightest winter spot is still dim, a grow light helps; our indoor gardening and grow lights collection has options.
2Keep it at room temperature, away from drafts
Jackson & Perkins, which sells waxed bulbs, gives a range of 65 to 75°F and says to avoid drafts and cold windows. Keep it off radiators and away from heat vents too.
3Turn it every few days
The stalk grows toward the light. Iowa State University Extension suggests rotating the bulb every few days so the stalk grows straight. A tall stalk on a small base can tip, and Jackson & Perkins suggests an amaryllis stake if it starts to lean.
4Don't water it
Jackson & Perkins puts it plainly: do not water. The wax seals the bulb, so water poured on top just sits there. Skip it entirely.
How long does a waxed amaryllis take to bloom?
A waxed amaryllis usually sends up a flower stalk in 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes less, according to Iowa State University Extension. Jackson & Perkins gives the same 4 to 6 weeks at room temperature and says the timing depends on the variety.
Iowa State University Extension also advises against buying waxed bulbs that have already started blooming or have spent flower stalks, since much of the show is already over. If you want flowers for a holiday table, count back about 4 to 6 weeks from the date. For another easy holiday bulb, paperwhites bloom in pebbles and water in about 3 to 6 weeks.
How long do waxed amaryllis flowers last?
Waxed amaryllis flowers last about three weeks. Iowa State University Extension says a bulb often grows two, sometimes three or four, flower stalks, producing blooms for up to three weeks. Jackson & Perkins says each stalk carries up to four flowers. To keep the display tidy, remove each flower stalk once the last bloom on it fades.
Do waxed amaryllis bloom again?
A waxed amaryllis can bloom again, but it isn't designed to, and it often takes more than a year. The bulb used its stored food to flower without water, soil or leaves to replace it. The New York Botanical Garden notes that a waxed bulb that has been potted up may produce only leaves the following year, building energy to flower the year after.
Whether it's worth trying depends on you. If you enjoy a project, saving it costs little more than a pot and some potting mix. If you want a reliable bloom next winter, a new bulb is the surer bet.
How to save a waxed amaryllis bulb after it blooms
To save a waxed amaryllis, remove the wax as soon as it finishes blooming, pot the bulb and grow it as a houseplant through spring and summer. These steps follow Iowa State University Extension's guidance for waxed and regular amaryllis.
1Cut the flower stalk
Once the last flower fades, cut the stalk 1 to 2 inches above the bulb with a sharp knife or pruners. Leave any leaves in place; they feed the bulb.
2Peel off the wax
Carefully remove the wax from the bulb, and take care not to break the small roots, which can be embedded in the wax. Remove any stand or base as well. Iowa State University Extension also notes that wax, and any glitter in it, may not break down in a compost pile, so throw it out rather than composting it.
3Check the bulb
Look for sunken, soft or dark areas. Iowa State University Extension says to discard any bulb that shows signs of rot. A healthy bulb feels firm, like an onion.
4Pot it up
Use a well-drained potting mix and a pot with drainage holes, 1 to 2 inches wider than the bulb. Set the bulb so its upper half sits above the soil line. Fresh mix and pots are in our soil care and plant health collection.
5Grow it in a sunny window
Iowa State University Extension suggests a sunny window, watering when the soil surface is nearly dry, and a dilute fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks. Wet soil around a bulb invites rot, so check before you water. A moisture meter with long probes, like our 3-in-1 Soil Meter, reads the soil a few inches down instead of just the surface; our guide on how to use a soil moisture meter explains the readings.
6Summer outdoors (optional)
In late May, Iowa State University Extension suggests moving the pot outside, starting in a shady, sheltered spot for 2 or 3 days and gradually adding sun until it's hardened off in 7 to 10 days. Water in dry weather and feed once or twice a month through July. Bring it back in by mid-September.
When should a saved amaryllis go dormant?
A saved amaryllis goes dormant in early fall and needs at least 8 to 10 weeks of cool rest at 50 to 55°F before it can bloom again, according to Iowa State University Extension. In late September, move it to a cool, semi-dark spot and stop watering. Cut off the leaves once they turn brown.
After the cool period, water the pot and move it to a well-lit spot at 70 to 75°F, keeping the soil moist but not wet until growth appears. Iowa State also describes a second option: keep the plant green in a bright, 50 to 55°F spot from fall to midwinter, then move it somewhere warmer. If you get leaves and no flower stalk, the bulb probably needs another season to build up its reserves.
Is amaryllis safe for cats and dogs?
No. The ASPCA lists amaryllis as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling, loss of appetite and tremors. Keep a waxed bulb well out of reach of pets, especially once you've peeled the wax off. If you want a holiday bloomer that's safe around cats and dogs, a Christmas cactus is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic.
For more on keeping indoor plants going through short, dry winter days, see our guide to houseplant care in winter.
Frequently asked questions
Do you water amaryllis bulbs in wax?
No. A waxed amaryllis needs no water or soil, because the bulb already holds the food it needs to flower once, and the wax seals it. Iowa State University Extension and the bulb sellers agree: give it bright, indirect light and turn it every few days instead.
How long does it take a waxed amaryllis to bloom?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes less, according to Iowa State University Extension. Jackson & Perkins says the timing depends on the variety. Once it opens, expect flowers for about three weeks, often on two or more stalks.
Can you plant a waxed amaryllis bulb in soil?
Yes, after it blooms. Cut the flower stalk, peel off the wax without breaking the roots, discard the bulb if it's soft or dark, and pot it in well-drained potting mix with the top half of the bulb above the soil line.
Will a waxed amaryllis bloom again next year?
It can, but don't count on next year. A waxed bulb spends its stored food without being able to replace it, so after potting it often produces only leaves the first year. With summer sun, feeding and 8 to 10 cool weeks in fall, it may bloom the following winter.
Why is my waxed amaryllis leaning?
The stalk grows toward the light. Turn the bulb every few days so it grows straight, as Iowa State University Extension suggests, and move it to a brighter spot if the stalk is stretching. If it still tips, steady it with a thin amaryllis stake.
What do you do with a waxed amaryllis after it blooms?
Either compost the bulb or save it. If you compost it, peel off the wax first, since wax and glitter may not break down. To save it, remove the wax, pot the bulb, grow it in a sunny window through summer and give it a cool rest in fall.
