Troubleshooting
Amaryllis 'Red Lion' problems — and how to fix them
Amaryllis 'Red Lion' (Hippeastrum 'Red Lion') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Tall stalk flops over
Low light makes the heavy-headed scape stretch and lean; grow in the brightest spot, rotate the pot daily, and stake tall stems if needed.
Leaves but no flowers (rebloom failure)
Skipping the recharge means a depleted bulb; feed and grow the foliage all summer, then give a dry, dark 8-10 week rest before restarting to set a new flower.
Bulb rot
Burying the bulb fully or overwatering before roots form rots the basal plate; plant with the top third exposed and water sparingly until growth begins.
Red blotch (Stagonospora)
Red streaks and scarring on leaves, stalk and bulb signal this fungal disease; remove affected tissue, improve airflow, and avoid wetting the bulb.
Prevent amaryllis 'red lion' problems before they start
Most amaryllis 'red lion' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for amaryllis 'red lion' in general rather than its problems? Read the full amaryllis 'red lion' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Amaryllis 'Red Lion' problems — FAQ
Why is my amaryllis 'red lion' tall stalk flops over?
Low light makes the heavy-headed scape stretch and lean; grow in the brightest spot, rotate the pot daily, and stake tall stems if needed.
Why is my amaryllis 'red lion' leaves but no flowers (rebloom failure)?
Skipping the recharge means a depleted bulb; feed and grow the foliage all summer, then give a dry, dark 8-10 week rest before restarting to set a new flower.
Why is my amaryllis 'red lion' bulb rot?
Burying the bulb fully or overwatering before roots form rots the basal plate; plant with the top third exposed and water sparingly until growth begins.
Why is my amaryllis 'red lion' red blotch (stagonospora)?
Red streaks and scarring on leaves, stalk and bulb signal this fungal disease; remove affected tissue, improve airflow, and avoid wetting the bulb.