Nerine bowdenii - Bowden Lily

Nerines do best in a well-drained site with full sun and love it at the base of a sunny, south-facing wall. A good summer baking encourages plenty of flowers in autumn. Plant the bulbs shallowly two-thirds below soil level 10-15cm apart. Water them in well. Don’t plant them where they will be overshadowed by other plants, they like the sun on their necks and they don’t like to be subjected to other plants’ watering regimes, particularly in summer.

planting nerines in pots and containers

Nerines do well in pots permanently. Use a mix of peat free multi-purpose and loam-based compost, planting so the top of the bulbs shows above the compost surface. Bring them inside when in flower for brilliant and long-lasting houseplants, moving them outside again when they’ve gone over. 

Nerines hate disturbance, so once planted try to avoid moving them. After planting, the bulbs should grow some strap shaped leaves until mid-summer, and then they will die down in hot years. If we have a wet summer, they may remain green. In September/October flower spikes will emerge and bloom with or without the foliage.