Why Are My Amaryllis Leaves Turning Yellow – 5 Causes?

Yellowing of amaryllis plant leaves can be the primary sign of overwatering your ornamental plant.

Along with excess water, underwatering, insufficient nutrients in the soil, pests (Mosaic Virus) and diseases can turn amaryllis leaves yellow.

Now, the question arises for what to do when amaryllis leaves turn yellow?

Identifying the root cause is the first step to revive amaryllis yellow leaves.

Growing amaryllis plants is quite exciting, as it gift you with colorful blossoms that add aesthetic appeal to your backyard.

Though it is a fabulous choice to grow them as houseplants, you must remember that an Amaryllis plant has different growth requirements as compared to other regular plants. 

If not taken care of they could show symptoms of decay, and destruction. 

Common problems like amaryllis leaves turning yellow, drooping leaves, root rot, and blooming problems can be stimulated. 

But since you are already here, you need not worry about how your amaryllis could be harmed, because we are here to advise you with some of the advanced suggestions that could prove beneficial in the progression of your amaryllis plant.

Before we start taking care of your Amaryllis plant, let us visit certain basic facts about what they are, what they do, and what are their exquisite demands. 

Native to the South African region of Western Cape, Amaryllis are hugely beloved for their large leaves and brightly coloured flowers. Belonging to the tropical side, they also expect replication in their indoor or outdoor surroundings. 

Their watering and sunlight needs are explicitly restricted to that of the tropical region. This need produces challenges since the environmental considerations of our surroundings are relatively disturbed than that of the forests. 

Someone said it rightly; even the best houseplant has its days. In order to protect your amaryllis plant from any kind of damage, read the guide below. We would be placing special emphasis on the issue of their leaves turning yellow, steadily generalizing the tips as we move ahead. 

Why Are My Amaryllis Leaves Turning Yellow?

As mentioned here, overwatering and underwatering are two major causes of yellowing of indoor plant leaves.

Out of concern, most new gardeners water container plants in excess. Amaryllis need moist soil and they don’t like to sit in water for longer time.

As overwatering results in yellowing of foliage and it eventually the plant won’t be able to produce colorful blooms.

Apart from stress triggered due to inadequate watering, low sunlight exposure, insufficient amount of nutrients and pests can turn green foliage to yellow.

Note: Yellowing of leaves is a part of natural process in plants and if you notice only fewer yellow leaves, then you don’t have to panic.

1. Dormancy levels

This is a natural phenomenon, and if the dormancy period is leading to yellowing of leaves, then one should not get worried about it. If you grow Amaryllis regularly, then you must be familiar with the concept. 

However, if it is your first time, then you need to give some space to your plant since it seeks out this period to thrive.

As the plant approaches dormancy, it prepares itself to extract and store food in the form of nutrients from all the parts. This is the reason why your plant leaves turn yellow and in extreme cases fall off. 

Investigate other conditions to rule out the most probable cause. If the stakes are falling in favor of dormancy, wait some time before pricking the yellow leaves out.

It is advised to let them dry out completely, before initiating the removing process, as it can cause damage to other blooming leaves. 

2. Plant stress

Stress in Amaryllis plants present the most classic example of a drastic cause that stimulates the yellowing of leaves. Plant stress cannot be attributed to a single reason; instead there are a lot of causes that could be blamed for causing stress in plants. 

Inadequate water, sunlight, less seasonal care, and ignoring signs and symptoms are some of the preliminary considerations that contribute to the plant being exposed to increasing vulnerabilities of plant stress, eventually leading to yellow and drooping leaves. 

Check for any environmental shocks or inadequate signs of caring to point the condition of plant stress way before time, giving you more time to improve it. 

Also Read: Best Potting Soil for Peace Lily

3. Stress Induced due to Excess Watering

Constant flow of water is required for the Amaryllis plant to thrive. On the other hand, they do not support stagnation in their containers or pots. That is, the water needs are excessive, but only on the condition that there is a well drainage system available. 

If your container is not well supported with the appropriate design to accelerate drainage requirements, then there are high chances of your plant acting sickly and maybe short lived.

If left under wet conditions, then a fungal rot is likely to occur, causing the drooping, and discoloration of leaves.

The soil should neither be deprived of water, and nor be flooded with liquids excessively. To avoid underwatering and overwatering, it is important to know how often to water this amaryllis.

4. Too much or low levels of Sunlight

As we talked about replicating the tropical conditions in your home, one major consideration is adequate warmth, sunlight, and humidity. The plants are used to receiving abundant sunlight without any limitations, and you ought to provide that. 

Place your plant at a region, where the rays fall upon directly, and where you have the convenience to move it to a shaded place as quickly as you want.

If the sunlight requirements of the plant are not met, then it can weaken the leaves considerably, causing the drooping, and yellowing of leaves. 

If you are placing it indoors, make some room for indirect sunlight. 

Also Read: Do Microgreens Regrow After Cutting?

5. Fertilizer

Fertilizing amaryllis plants carefully is the trickiest part of all. Not following the correct instructions can cause severe damage to leaves and the plant as a whole. The most common mistake happens when you fertilize the plants either during or after the dormancy stage. 

It can unnecessarily accelerate the workings of the bulb, when it is time for it to rest and relax. This working up can deplete the nutrients present in the plant’s thick and green leaves, causing yellow, brown, and even reddish spots on them. 

Also Read: Why Are My Calla Lily Leaves Turning Yellow?

How to Prevent Yellowing of Amaryllis leaves? : Plant Care Tips

Avoiding yellowing of leaves isn’t possible, as it is natural to shed old leaves.

However, if the underlying cause is due to infrequent watering or insufficient sunlight, then you must ensure to practice proper care to prevent yellowing of foliage.

1. Watering Tips

Overwatering or under watering of the Amaryllis plant is a common problem that is still faced by many. However, with proper watering tips, one is not that far away from getting the right leaf growth. 

Unlike in other plants, experts advise to not maintain a fixed schedule while watering amaryllis plants.

Instead, one should follow the process by looking at the texture of the soil. Only if the soil is dried up at the top layer should it be watered. If it looks moist, avoid making it soggy.

Owing to the process of evaporation, amaryllis plants need more water in summers, as compared to winters. In summers, water should be provided weekly, whereas in winters, larger intervals should be maintained between the watering. 

Further, one should not water the plant at dormancy under any circumstances whatsoever. Do not allow the plant to remain in stagnant water, pour water directly on the soil layer and wait till it gets drained out from the pot surface. 

Also Read: How Big Do Hibiscus Plants Get?

2. Sunlight Instructions

As mentioned earlier, amaryllis expects an abundant amount of sunlight, wherever it is placed, to bloom and thrive.

If you are choosing to keep your plant indoors at all times, make sure to face it towards the south sunny direction for best results. 

If you live in an area where it is difficult to provide plenty of sunlight to the plant, then you can take assistance from grow light, and let it bestow rays upon the plant for 8 to 10 hours per day.

Further, you can also keep your plant container rotating and replacing to give sunlight and shade simultaneously. 

3. Fertilizing Amaryllis

Since amaryllis demands a lot of water from the environment, some of its urges can also be met by merely using a fertilizer that is water soluble.

So far, such fertilizers have been thought to be the best supplements for amaryllis. 

One should always choose an organic fertilizer that has been specialized for the needs of that particular plant, instead of chemical and synthetic fertilizers that cause unnecessary harm to the plant body. Fertilizers with organic tea as its main ingredient is the best pick. 

When the plant is flowering, it does not want any kind or fertilizing. On the other hand, fertilizing amaryllis is a great option during the summer months. 

Also Read: Growing Strawberries in Hanging Baskets & Pots

4. Soil Requirements

Soil with well-draining qualities is considered to be all in one for growing amaryllis plants.

They do not cater to any particular soil requirement except its drainage systems. Soil used for general purposes would work well for plants like amaryllis as they are not all fussy. 

Pumice or coarse sand can be picked up if you wish to overwater your plant. 

5. Repotting

Amaryllis plants do not prefer changing their containers every now and then. They prefer to remain pot bound and thrive best when placed so.

In fact, one might not need to report amaryllis at all, or rarely once in a few years of lifetime. 

If your plant has been in the same pot for years and you wish to report it, then you have to consider certain time measurements. The after period of bulbs going dormant, is considered to be the most suitable time for repotting plants. 

If you wish to report your plant, make sure to select the new container that is bigger than the earlier pot. It would give the plant some space to adapt to the new environment. 

6. Diseases and pests

Amaryllis plants, as long as they are healthy, do not present problems with attracting pests and diseases. Nevertheless, some adamant pests like mealy bugs and fungus gnats can attack the leaves, causing their discoloration. 

In order to get rid of fungal pests, you need to keep a check on overwatering your soil. Excess humidity creates room for fungus gnats to grow and breed, causing problems for the plant growth. 

Oils like organic neem oil and horticultural oil are the best medicines for treating fussy and stubborn houseplant bugs. These oils have proved to have a residual effect on these pests and diseases.  

7. Reblooming Amaryllis

Some might inquire about the reblooming of amaryllis bulbs. Whether it can be done or not? Is it difficult? How do we proceed with the process? So on and so forth. Without any delay, let us inform you that it is very much possible to force amaryllis bulbs to bloom again, however with careful considerations from your end. 

Let us move ahead one step at a time, and reach our destination steadily. After the bulbs have bloomed once, carefully remove them out of the plant in a way that the leaves do not come out.

Follow regular water, sunlight, and fertilizer routine for weeks until summer arrives. 

Keep them outdoors at the onset of the summer season and leave them at the same position undisturbed.

Once the plants hit dormancy, bring them indoors and take care of them for about 6 to 8 weeks. Soon after that, you can expect your amaryllis bulb to bloom anytime. After Christmas blooming, you should cut off amaryllis to avoid the plant from producing seeds.

Also Read: Can I Water My Venus Fly Trap with Bottled Water?

Should Amaryllis Leaves be Cut Back?

Leaves are essential, as they carry out photosynthesis process to make plant food.

However, when you notice amaryllis leaves turning yellowing, cut them off so that food source is shifted towards the growth of new foliage.

Once you take cutter, it can be tempting to cut even green leaves. But, avoid trimming them as they are essential for plant growth.

Why are my amaryllis leaves falling over?

Amaryllis leaves fall or drop due to various factors, which include overwatering, underwatering or stress due to amaryllis disease.

Fixing these amaryllis problems can revive this flowering plant.

Conclusion – your role on yellowing of amaryllis and how to revive

Yellowing of amaryllis leaves is commonly caused due to watering stress. Regulate watering cycle if you notice this issue.

Choosing well-drained potting soil for amaryllis is one of the crucial aspect to avoid overwatering. A well-drained soil that can retain moisture is what most indoor plants prefer.

If not diagnosed and revived on time, amaryllis plant may die due to stress.

An easy to care plant that is also known widely for its mesmerizing beauty can be a perfect pick to grow in your own backyard.

Amaryllis is one such plant, and while we have provided you with a complete guide that would assist you while growing and taking care of your Amaryllis plant, there are some key takeaways that would refresh the concept for you. 

The Amaryllis plant is available in varied kinds and types, they can be selected as per one’s choice or convenience. The basic requirements of this plant revolve around receiving adequate water, light, the right soil type, a pest repellent technique, and a viable fertilizer.  

They can bloom throughout the year, with winter months being their specialties. These are currently considered to be the best flowering houseplant among the masses. We hope our piece of information was of immense help to you!