How to Grow Nerine
Nerine bowdenii
Nerine is a bulbous perennial producing stunning pink trumpet-shaped flowers on bare stems in autumn, after most other plants have finished. Plant bulbs with necks above soil level in a warm, sheltered spot at the base of a sunny wall. Do not disturb once established — they flower best when congested. Leaves appear after flowers and persist through winter.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Apply a light dressing of potash-rich fertiliser (such as sulphate of potash) in spring as leaves are growing. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Watch For
- Bulbs planted too deep will not flower — necks must be above soil
- Excessive moisture causes bulb rot — ensure sharp drainage
- May not flower for first 1-2 years after planting while establishing
Track your Nerine care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun, ideally at the base of a south-facing wall
Nerines need maximum sun and warmth. The heat absorbed by a south-facing wall is essential for ripening the bulbs and triggering autumn flowering. Partial shade produces poor flowering.
💧 Watering
Dry in summer, moderate water in autumn and spring
Keep bulbs completely dry from June to August during summer dormancy. Resume watering when flower stems emerge in September, and continue through the leafy winter period. Reduce again as leaves die back in late spring.
🌱 Fertilizing
Light potash feed in spring only
Apply a single light dressing of sulphate of potash in spring as leaves are actively growing. Avoid nitrogen-rich feeds which produce lush foliage at the expense of flowers. No feeding needed in autumn or winter.
✂️ Pruning
Remove spent flower stems; leave foliage until it yellows naturally
Cut flower stems at the base once all blooms have faded in late autumn. The strap-like winter foliage is essential for building next year's flower reserves — never cut it back early. Remove only when leaves yellow naturally in late spring.
❄️ Overwintering
Hardy to -15°C; mulch in colder or exposed gardens
N. bowdenii is hardier than its exotic appearance suggests. In most UK gardens no protection is needed. In colder or more exposed positions, apply a dry mulch of bracken, straw, or grit over the crowns in November; remove in early spring.
Growing Tips
Plant with necks above soil
Nerine bulbs must be planted with their necks just above soil level. Burying them too deep is the single most common reason they fail to flower.
Embrace dry summers
Leave bulbs bone dry during summer dormancy — resist the urge to water. The hot, dry baking at the base of a south-facing wall is what triggers autumn flowering.
Congested clumps flower best
Unlike most bulbs, nerines flower most freely when congested. Divide only every 5-7 years when clumps are very overcrowded, and expect a year without flowers after disturbance.
Mulch in hard winters
N. bowdenii tolerates down to -15°C but exposed bulb necks can be caught by sharp frost. A light, dry mulch of bracken or grit over the crowns in November protects without causing rot.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Narcissus Bulb Fly
Identification: Large hoverfly resembles a bumblebee. Larvae tunnel into bulbs causing soft, rotten centres. Affected bulbs feel soft when squeezed and produce few or no leaves.
- Remove and destroy affected bulbs immediately to prevent spread.
- Cover bulb necks with fine horticultural fleece in late spring when adult flies are active (May-June).
- No effective chemical control once larvae are inside the bulb. Prevention is key.
Pest Slugs
Identification: Irregular holes and slime trails on emerging leaves and flower stems, particularly after wet weather.
- Apply sharp grit or crushed eggshells around bulb clumps as a physical barrier.
- Use nematode biological control (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita) applied to moist soil in spring.
- Ferric phosphate-based slug pellets (e.g. Slug Clear) are wildlife-safe and effective.
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small green or black insects on flower stems and buds, causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew deposits.
- Blast off with a strong jet of water from a hose.
- Encourage natural predators — lacewings, ladybirds, and hoverflies.
- Spray with pyrethrum-based insecticide if infestation is severe.
Disease Grey Mould (Botrytis) Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Grey-brown fluffy mould on flowers, stems, or leaves, particularly in cool, wet conditions. Affected tissue collapses and rots.
Treatment: Remove and dispose of affected material immediately. Improve air circulation around plants. Avoid overhead watering.
Prevention: Plant in a sheltered, well-ventilated position. Do not overcrowd. Remove dead leaves and spent stems promptly.
Disease Bulb Rot Fusarium oxysporum
Symptoms: Bulbs become soft and discoloured with a white or pink fungal growth at the base. Plants fail to emerge or collapse at soil level.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected bulbs. Do not replant in the same soil for at least 3 years.
Prevention: Ensure sharp drainage — add grit to heavy soils. Never waterlog bulbs, especially in summer. Plant with necks above soil to reduce moisture contact.
Log Nerine in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
Start planning free