St Bernard’s lily

Anthericum liliago

In other languages: Grote graslelie (Nederlands) · Phalangère à fleurs de lis (Français)

St Bernard’s lily is a graceful perennial from central and southern Europe, where it grows on sunny limestone slopes, in dry grassland and in open woods. From a clump of narrow, grassy leaves, unbranched stems up to 60 cm rise in May–June, carrying a loose spike of white, star-shaped flowers 3–4 cm across with golden stamens. The flowers look like small lilies, hence the name liliago. It slowly grows into a sturdy clump that can then stay in the same spot for years. Gardeners value it for its light, natural look in a gravel garden, a rock garden or a sunny border.

Updated on 9 October 2026

Light
Full sun
warm and bright
Moisture
Dry to normal
no wet feet
Legal basis
Sand or loam
neutral to chalky
Hardiness
Fully hardy
down to -30 °C
Size
0.6 m
tall, 0.3 m wide
Flowering
May–June

Key facts
Pruning months	March and July
Height	0.6 m
Native to Belgium	No, planted
Good for bees, butterflies and birds	Yes, for bees
Poisonous to people and pets	Not known to be poisonous
Flowering	May–June

Identify

St Bernard’s lily: how do you recognise it?

Habit: Clump of grassy leaves 20–30 cm tall, with upright, unbranched flower stems up to 60 cm.
Leaves: Narrow and strap-like, up to 40 cm long, grass green.
Flower: White, star-shaped flowers 3–4 cm across with six petals and golden stamens, in a loose, unbranched spike, in May–June.
Fruit: Small, egg-shaped capsules with black seeds.
Roots: A short rhizome with thick, fleshy roots that store water: that is why it is drought-tolerant.

Flowering: May–June · Plants: March–April and September–October · Pruning: March and July

In your garden

Why grow it?

Pure white star-shaped flowers in May–June, fresh and light among other plants.
Drought-tolerant and tough in a sunny, well-drained spot.
Bees visit the flowers for nectar and pollen.
The grassy foliage gives an airy, natural feel, ideal for a gravel or prairie garden.
Long-lived: an established clump needs hardly any care.

St Bernard’s lily: where does it grow best?

Full sun: the sunnier the spot, the better it flowers.
Well-drained sandy or loamy soil, neutral to chalky.
Dry to moderately moist; wet soil in winter rots the fleshy roots.
Ideal in a gravel garden, a rock garden or at the front of a sunny border.
Allow 25–30 cm between plants; it looks best in groups of five or more.

Light: Sun
Soil type: Sand or loam
Acidity: Neutral or chalky
Moisture: Dry or normal
Size: 0.6 m tall, 0.3 m wide
Hardiness: Hardy (to -30 °C)

Goes well with

Bloody cranesbill: Magenta-pink flowers for the same dry, sunny, chalky spot.
Blue fescue: Grey-blue tufts that contrast beautifully with the white stars.
Catmint: A blue cloud at its feet that flowers for a long time.
Lavender: Fragrant purple flowers that take over once St Bernard’s lily has finished.

Maintenance

St Bernard’s lily: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–April and September–October.

Plant in March–April or September–October.
Choose a permanent spot straight away: it grows slowly and dislikes disturbance.
Mix heavy soil with coarse sand or fine gravel for good drainage.
Set the plant at the same depth as in the pot and spread the fleshy roots out gently.
Keep 25–30 cm between plants.
Water in moderately and spread a little gravel around the base.

Care

Watering: Only in dry spells during the first year; rarely needed after that.
Feeding: Not needed; on very poor soil perhaps a thin layer of compost in March.
Faded stems: Cut them off in July if you do not want seedlings; leave them for seed.
Foliage: Cut away the old, withered leaves in March, before the new ones appear.
Leave alone: Let the clump grow undisturbed; division is only needed after many years.

Tip: Plant it in a group of five or more among low plants: in May and June the white stars then seem to float above the border.

St Bernard’s lily: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and July.

When: In July, after flowering, cut off the faded stems. In March, remove the old, withered leaves.

How:

Cut the flower stems low, just above the leaves.
Leave a few stems if you want to collect seed.
In March, cut or pull away the dead leaves; the new foliage soon follows.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Seed: Sow fresh seed in autumn in a pot left outdoors: it germinates in spring after a cold spell. Seedlings flower after 2–3 years.
Division: In March or September, carefully lift a large clump and split it into pieces, each with a few buds and roots. Handle the fleshy roots gently.

St Bernard’s lily: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −30 °C.

Fully hardy, to about −30 °C: no protection is needed in Belgium.
Wet soil is more dangerous than frost: make sure drainage is good.
In a pot or trough: use a gritty mix and stand it against a wall in winter.

Diseases and pests

Slugs: They eat young leaves and flower buds in spring. Pick them off in the evening and spread sharp grit around the plant.
Root rot: In wet, heavy soil the fleshy roots rot. Plant in a well-drained spot or a raised bed.
Few flowers: Caused by too much shade, or a young or recently divided plant. Give it a sunny spot and some patience.
Aphids: On the flower buds in May. Natural predators usually deal with them; otherwise hose them off with water.

Through the year

March: Cut away old leaves. Plant or divide.
April: Plant. Watch for slugs.
May: Flowering begins.
June: Full flower. Bees visit the flowers.
July: Cut off faded stems or let the seed ripen.
September: Plant or divide.
October: Sow fresh seed in a pot. Plant.

Use

Good for wildlife

Bees: Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

You and this species

Did you know?

It is related to the spider plant grown as a houseplant, Chlorophytum comosum, which was once even called Anthericum comosum.
You can tell it from branched St Bernard’s lily by its unbranched spike, larger flowers and the curved style at the heart of the flower.
The name liliago means roughly ‘lily-like’.

Garden plants · All species