Nerine – Nerine spp.

Common Name: Nerine, Guernsey Lily, Spider Lily

Botanical Name: Nerine spp., ne-REEN

Decorative Life: 10-14 days.

Flower Color: Pink, Red, White

Availability: Year Round

Do not cut too tight as flowers (especially the youngests buds) will not open properly most of the time. A good time to cut is when just before the most mature bud opens, namely, full grown but not opened.

One research report indicates that 45-50F is best and that it can be stored dry for 4-5 days. Another researcher states that 37-41F is best for storage of 3-5 days but higher temperatures (up to 50F) can be used if stored less than 3 days. Everyone agrees that they are somewhat chill sensitive and therefore should not be stored in the low 30s. Dry storage is better, especialy for flowers that are not too open.

• After Nerine, a sea nymph and daughter of Nereus in Greek mythology.
• Species used for cut flowers include N. bowdenii (bright pink), N. flexuosa, N. sarniensis. Cultivars include ‘Cherry Ripe’, ‘Pink Distinction’, ‘Pink Fairy’, ‘Radiant Queen’, ‘Salmon Supreme’ and ‘Virgo’.
• Similar to the genus Lycoris, namely, leaves are actually produced after the plant flowers, but not until the following spring, which to some means that leaves are produced first!