The stunningly alone blooms of amaryllis can sum up dramatic colouring material to your house and garden .

aboriginal to South America , tropicalHippeastrumcan be grown outdoors inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 - 11 , and indoors in colder areas .

These striking flowers are often forced to bloom in the winter , add some glister to vacation decor .

A close up horizontal image of bright red amaryllis flowers pictured on a soft focus background.

Small bulblets with new growth to the side of an amaryllis bulb.

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Healthy , mature bulbs bring on secondary “ offset ” bulbs which can be removed and repot , offer you with new works , and you’re able to also distribute amaryllis by bulb sectioning , aka cuttage .

quick to get pop out ? Here ’s what I ’ll embrace :

A close up vertical image of a bright red Hippeastrum flower pictured on a soft focus background. To the top and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

Small bulblets with new growth to the side of an amaryllis bulb.

What You’ll Learn

Though it is potential to grow amaryllis from germ , the process from seed to flower is slow , accept from three to five years .

If you have seeds , time , and want to ascertain more about how to do this , check out our guide here .

But if you do n’t have that kind of patience , there are other options . Instead , you could easily circulate amaryllis by carve up offsets from mature parent bulbs and by sectioning .

A close up vertical image of a bright red Hippeastrum flower pictured on a soft focus background. To the top and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

While these methods are certainly quicker than originate from seminal fluid , new plants can still take a season or two to flower .

Another benefit of propagating from outset or by class is that they will produce a dead ringer of the parent plant .

When to Divide

The time to dissever your plants all depends on the flower cycle , which can vary found on Zone and your develop preferences .

When plants are originate outdoors , they naturally blossom in the spring , after a flow of winter dormancy .

Some gardeners grow amaryllis indoors and many of us pick out toforce the plants to flowerduring the wintertime holidays .

A close up horizontal image of a wicker tray with a small black plastic pot and two dried Hippeastrum bulbs ready for planting or dividing.

Learn moreabout this ram proficiency in our guide .

As a oecumenical dominion , you will aim to disunite after flowering , when the foliage has give out back course and the plants are abeyant .

It ’s of import not to cut off the leaves whenthe plant has finish flowering , as it needs the foliage to stay to create and store energy .

A horizontal image of Hippeastrum bulbs set on a windowsill with a white pot in the background and a wicker tray.

The ideal time to divide is towards the end of the dormancy period , just as you see new leaves start to appear .

Bulb sectioning can be done at any time after the foliage has fail back and before the electric light break off dormancy .

If you are grow plants outdoors in a affectionate fix , the time to divide will typically be in late winter to former saltation . For plants grown indoors , you’re able to separate in early to late fall .

A close up horizontal image of the new growth of a Hippeastrum plant after winter dormancy.

Dividing Offsets

Mature amaryllis bulb often produce minuscule side bulbs , telephone an offset or bulbil , which can be found locate just next to the “ mother ” bulb .

These offsets can be carefully detach from the main bulb , to make new flowers .

To divide kickoff , airlift the entire plant from the ground or the container it ’s growing in , being careful not to damage the bulb or ascendent .

A close up horizontal image of a Hippeastrum growing in a green plastic pot with small offshoots to the side.

If you are growing outdoors , you may use a garden fork or spade to carefully loosen stain around the fundament of the plant .

lightly hit the soil from around the lightbulb and base .

Next , locate bulbil that are at least one third of the size of the female parent bulb and separate them by pulling them downwards or twist carefully .

A close up horizontal image of a Hippeastrum with two bulblets set on a wicker tray on a wooden surface.

you may also use a shrill knife , scissors , or a screwdriver to gently pry them off . Each get-go should have a few root , and be careful to keep these entire .

Leave any smaller offsets attached to the main bulb so they can carry on to uprise .

Replant offsetsimmediately in pots at least two inch larger than the diam of the bulblets .

A close up horizontal image of two Hippeastrum set on a wicker surface.

Repot in pot soil forget the top third of the offset seeable above the soil line of work . Use awell balanced potting mixcontaining passel of constitutive thing andpeat , flux in a small sand or perlite to better drainage .

Replant the “ female parent ” electric light in the same office , or repot into a slightly enceinte container , if desired . There should be a maximum of two inch of space between the light bulb and the side of the container , so do n’t choose one that ’s too gravid !

Place the pot with the offsets in a sunny window and keep it indoors until the bulb has grow to at least two or three column inch in diameter .

A close up horizontal image of a Hippeastrum growing in a small black plastic pot.

Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged . You should see Modern growth starting within a few calendar week .

While some variety will rise chop-chop and blossom the time of year after you have separated the offsets , others may take a couple of twelvemonth to bloom .

If you are moving offset outside , plant in a bed of well drained soil merge with constituent thing in a lightly shaded region .

A close up top down image of a Hippeastrum with new foliar growth in a terra cotta container.

Leave the top third discover and keep the soil evenly moist until the plants have take ancestor and you see grounds of fresh growth .

Bulb Sectioning

This method acting involve making several vertical cuts through a mature incandescent lamp to make new plants . It ’s also know as cuttage or twin grading .

After it has finished flowering , dig out up the established bulb and cut it vertically from the top to the base into four or more pieces , a bit like cut a pie .

Make trusted that each cut part has a dowry of the stem tissue paper , or basal collection plate , bond at the bottom , and that each basal denture has at least two scales .

A close up vertical image of a Hippeastrum with roots attached set on a brown paper bag on a wooden surface.

These “ scale ” should look similar to onion peels .

Dust the sections with a copper- or S - free-base antimycotic agent to foreclose any fungal contagion from taking wait on the newfangled divisions .

you may plant each segment in a four- to six - column inch container filled with well draining pot soil , or a admixture of peat and sand or perlite . Be indisputable to implant it with the basal plate facing downwards .

A close up vertical image of two Hippeastrum with roots and new foliar growth set on a wicker tray.

comprehend about two third base of the way up with soil , leaving the top of the section exposed . Water well , and then maintain even moisture , but do n’t let the grime become doughy or waterlogged .

In Zones 7 and colder , keep the pot indoors in a cheery windowsill through the winter .

bulbil should lead off to mold between the scales in about a month or two , with leaves sprouting soon after , though you may still have to wait a couple of seasons for them to flower !

A close up horizontal image of the new shoots of a Hippeastrum pushing through dark, moist soil.

If you like , you may choose to transfer outdoors in the give after all danger of frost has passed .

In Zones 9 and above , you’re able to plant the divided incision in dappled Lord’s Day or part shadowiness in a well draining garden bed . Mulch during the winterto protect young plants from any potential halt thawing cycles .

Fill Your Home with Flowers

Propagating amaryllis flowers is so mere ! All it assume is one light bulb and a little bit of solitaire , and you may easily transmute a single flower into a monumental bouquet .

You will presently be capable fill your home with beautiful blooms , or even gift them to acquaintance and family for the holidays !

And tolearn more about amaryllis , learn out these guide next :

© expect the Experts , LLC . ALL rightfield RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Originally published November 30th , 2020 . Last updated August 27th , 2023 . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock . Additional writing and redaction by Clare Groom .

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Heather Buckner