Troubleshooting
Guernsey Lily problems — and how to fix them
Guernsey Lily (Nerine sarniensis) 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.
Failure to flower
Almost always due to being given water during summer dormancy or insufficient summer heat. Keep completely dry from May/June until the first sign of a flower spike.
Botrytis on flowers
Humid, poorly ventilated greenhouse conditions cause grey mould on petals. Ventilate well and avoid wetting flowers.
Bulb scale mite
Minute mites infest the scales of stored bulbs, causing stunted, distorted foliage. Dip newly acquired bulbs in a miticide solution before planting.
Overcrowding reduces flowering
Counter-intuitively, some crowding is beneficial, but severe overcrowding weakens flowering. Repot every 4–5 years, keeping clusters together rather than separating every offset.
Frost damage
Tender in most of the UK — temperatures below freezing will damage or kill the bulbs. Keep in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory from October to April.
Prevent guernsey lily problems before they start
Most guernsey lily issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Guernsey Lily problems — FAQ
Why is my guernsey lily failure to flower?
Almost always due to being given water during summer dormancy or insufficient summer heat. Keep completely dry from May/June until the first sign of a flower spike.
Why is my guernsey lily botrytis on flowers?
Humid, poorly ventilated greenhouse conditions cause grey mould on petals. Ventilate well and avoid wetting flowers.
Why is my guernsey lily bulb scale mite?
Minute mites infest the scales of stored bulbs, causing stunted, distorted foliage. Dip newly acquired bulbs in a miticide solution before planting.
Why is my guernsey lily overcrowding reduces flowering?
Counter-intuitively, some crowding is beneficial, but severe overcrowding weakens flowering. Repot every 4–5 years, keeping clusters together rather than separating every offset.
Why is my guernsey lily frost damage?
Tender in most of the UK — temperatures below freezing will damage or kill the bulbs. Keep in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory from October to April.