Nerine
Nerine bowdenii
Also called Bowden lily and Guernsey lily
Garden plant · BulbsPlant the bulbs with their NECKS ABOVE THE SOIL and leave them undisturbed — a crowded, baked, half-buried clump flowers hard and a tidy buried one does not flower at all.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 8 daysWater the ground, then leave it — water at the base and then leave it — these want to dry out between drinks.
- Light
- Full sun, at the foot of a warm wall
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a cold winter RHS H5, to -15°C
- Size
- 0.45 m tall · 0.1 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- South Africa
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleHarmful if eaten
The bulbs.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS says to wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling it.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.