Does it need full sun?

It thrives in full sun but appreciates a little afternoon shade in very hot climates.

How often should I divide it?

Every 3 to 4 years is usually sufficient to keep the plant vigorous.

Plant guide

St. Bernard's lily.

Anthericum liliago

Pronounced an-THER-ih-kum lil-ee-AY-go

Also known as St Bernard's Lily, St. Bernard’s lily

St Bernard's Lily — Photo by Alessia Guggisberg (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

This charming perennial is a lovely addition to any sunny garden bed. It produces elegant spikes of white, star shaped flowers that bloom in late spring. You will find it is quite hardy and adds a touch of grace to borders.

Another photo of St. Bernard's lily — Photo by mnauky (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant in well draining soil to keep the roots happy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet. It appreciates a spot where it can enjoy plenty of morning sun.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed lightly once in spring with a balanced fertilizer or compost. Extra feeding is usually not needed in garden soil.
Pruning: Cut back the spent flower stalks and foliage in late autumn.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes crowded in its container.
Soil: Well draining, sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -29 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water sitting on the surface for too long

Safety

People: There are no significant reports of toxicity in humans, but it is best to avoid ingestion.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is not known to be dangerous to children, though standard supervision is always wise.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Tall spikes of white flowers
Narrow, grass like basal leaves
Six petaled star shaped blooms
Yellow stamens in flower center

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 3 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs when soil remains too wet for too long.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the dead foliage in late autumn after the first frost. Ensure the crown is kept dry during winter to prevent rot.
In containers: It grows well in containers if provided with excellent drainage and a deep enough pot for its roots.

Division

Dig up the clump carefully in early spring.
Gently pull the root mass apart into smaller sections.
Replant the divisions immediately at the same depth.

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant species that enjoy the same sunny, well drained conditions.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar requirements for sun and well drained soil.
Blue Fescue · The fine texture of the grass contrasts beautifully with the lily like flowers.

Similar species

Spider Plant · It is a related species often grown as a houseplant.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Anthericum
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Central and Southern Europe
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It grows naturally in dry, grassy meadows and rocky slopes where drainage is excellent.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental border plant, rock garden specimen, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It thrives in full sun but appreciates a little afternoon shade in very hot climates.
How often should I divide it?: Every 3 to 4 years is usually sufficient to keep the plant vigorous.

Where the name comes from

The name Anthericum comes from the Greek word for a grass like plant, while liliago refers to its lily like flowers.

Good to know

It is a member of the asparagus family.
The name St. Bernard's Lily comes from its association with the saint in some European traditions.
It prefers well drained, sandy soils.
The plant goes dormant after flowering in hot summers.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on October 22, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.