Nerine (nay-REE-nay) is a herbaceous perennial bulbous flowering plant belonging to the genus Nerine and is a member of the popular Amaryllidaceae or better known as the Amaryllis family.
In 1820. the genus Nerine was established by Reverend William Herbert, a British botanist, botanical illustrator, clergyman, and poet.
It’s also believed to be named after a water nymph from Greek mythology named Nerine.
This hardy bulbous perennial is native to South Africa, commonly found growing in rocky, arid areas.
It’s also widely distributed in all nine provinces of South Africa, including Cape Peninsula, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and other parts of northwest and northeast South Africa.
Nerine is an exotic flowering plant prized for its attractive trumpet-shaped flowers resembling lily blooms or with a spider-like appearance. Another notable feature is that its flowers are borne from leafless stems with strap-like leaves.
Nerine goes by several common household names, including:
- Nerines
- Diamond lily
- Guernsey lily
- Jersey lily
- Spider lily
Nerine got its common name Guernsey lily, as it has been cultivated for over 300 years on Guernsey island.
It was also dubbed Spider lily due to its lily-like flowers with s spidery appearance.
Although it’s often described and named as lilies, Nerines are not true lilies. Instead, they closely resemble and are more linked to their relatives, the Lycoris and Amaryllis.
Because of its exotic yet attractive blooms, Nerines are widely grown and cultivated, with about 26 species.
Some of the most well-known Nerine varieties are:
- Nerine bowdenii
- Nerine masoniorum
- Nerine sarniensis
- Nerine undulata
Spidery, lily-like trumpet-shaped flowers appear in the Autumn on leafless stems before the strap-like leaves appear.
Nerine got its common name Diamond lily as a reference to its flowers sparkling like diamonds when sunlight hits.
Nerine bowdenii, one of the most popular and easy-to-grow varieties, has won a prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Quick Facts On Nerine
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Light: Full sun or partial shade
- Temperature: Above 45° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Average watering needs
- Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer high in potassium every two weeks
- Propagation: Division or seeds
- Common Problems: Vallota mosaic virus, mealybugs
Nerine Care
How Big Does Nerine Grow?
Nerines can grow up to 18″ to 24″ inches tall, and some might even reach up to 30″ inches tall in some varieties. They can spread between 3″ to 8″ inches wide.
These hardy bulbous perennials have a medium growth rate, reaching their maturity after 2 years, and that’s only when they will begin producing their first lily-like flowers.
When Does Nerine Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Nerines feature exotic and gorgeous umbels of trumpet or umbel-shaped flowers resembling lily flowers or with a spidery appearance.
These clusters of flowers, commonly about 2 to 20 blooms, often have wavy-margined tepals and reach 1½” inches across.
The flowers of Nerine come in various colors, including pure white, pale pink, red or burgundy, crimson, scarlet red, gold or yellow, and orange, depending on the variety and cultivar.
Each cluster of funnel-shaped flowers is borne atop leafless stems. The foliage of narrow strap-shaped leaves, growing about 18″ inches long, only sprouts the plant flowers.
You will notice Nerines blooming with delicate fragrance in Autumn and often lasting through winter, making it an unusual yet wonderful flowering plant.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Nerines thrive in full sun yet will also do well in partial shade locations.
For partial shade, they require about 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight at only part of the day.
Ensure nerines will receive enough morning sun, but don’t let them be exposed to direct sunlight for too long as they can be scorched.
Nerines do best in temperatures Above 45° degrees Fahrenheit and would not tolerate any temperature below 25° degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, nerines thrive in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 10.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Nerine?
Nerines require average watering needs, but you can water them regularly during the active growing season.
However, you need to cut back on watering and do so sparingly, about once or twice, once the plant becomes dormant or when the leaves begin to wither in late spring.
For fertilizer application, you can feed your nerine with liquid fertilizer with high in phosphorus or potassium every 2 weeks during the growing season.
Doing so will encourage flower production and improve flowering.
What Is The Best Soil For Nerine, And When Should You Transplant?
Nerines thrive in loose, well-drained soil rich in humus and other high organic matter.
When planted in containers, nerines will do good with one good soil mix or garden soil amended with compost, loam, sand, coir, and peat to improve your soil’s quality and support flower production.
Moreover, nerines need to be repotted every 2 to 3 years to avoid becoming root bound, but careful not to disturb the roots as they are sensitive to any disturbance.
Ensure the nerine is positioned in a sunny, sheltered location when transplanted outside.
In a garden bed, they need to have at least less than 12″ inches of available space between each bulb.
Does Nerine Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Remove withered leaves in early summer.
Nerines don’t require regular pruning, but you may remove or pull away withered leaves after they have died in late summer.
You can also cut off spent flowers.
How To Propagate Nerine Lily?
Nerine lilies can be propagated through 2 main methods:
- Division
- Seeding
To propagate by division, here’s what you need to do:
- Lift large clumps of overcrowded roots or offsets growing around the parent plant in early summer.
- Divide the clumps into smaller sections and pot them separately.
- Use a good soil mix of compost and sand, burying the nerine bulb with the neck exposed.
If you’re propagating Nerines with seeds, here’s what you need to do:
- First, start sowing the seeds as soon as they ripen.
- Next is to use a well-drained mix of compost and gritty sand.
- Then, sow the seeds with a thin covering of compost.
- Ensure to germinate the nerine seeds at a temperature of about 50° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit, maintaining it at this level until the seeds germinate.
It’s important to note that propagating nerine seeds usually takes about 3 to 5 years to reach their flowering size.
The seedlings will remain growing in the first year.
Guernsey Lily Pests And Diseases
Guernsey lilies are relatively pest and disease-resistant but may occasionally be a target of pests.
Some of the pests that may attack Guernsey lilies are:
- Mealybugs
- Snails
- Slugs
Guernsey lilies are also highly prone to mealybug infestation.
The best remedy is to use insecticide or wash the leaves with water.
In addition, some nerine species are also susceptible to diseases, including:
- Vallota mosaic virus
- Botrytis blight
- Leaf spot
Uses Of Guernsey Lily
Because of their attractive brightly-colored lily-like flowers, Guernsey lilies make an exotic and eye-catching display perfect for autumn color.
They also make an addition for garden beds, borders, and any sun-soaked border.
In addition, Guernsey lilies can be grown in containers and pots, making them an excellent choice as houseplants that give you elegant radiance with their blooms.
Nerines also make beautiful cut flowers and are often used for bouquets and flower arrangements because of their long flower stalks, which are great for tall displays.
Consider combining your Guernsey Lilies with late-summer flowering or winter varieties for a pop of color and provide effortless flower display continuation.
They also look incredible underplanted with winter bedding or as ground cover, among shrubs and flowering perennials.