"The gnome is a common garden pest found throughout northern Europe and North America."
—Description of a Gnome[src]
A gnome, or garden gnome, is a magical creature commonly known to infest the gardens of wizarding households. The correct taxonomical name for gnomes is, purportedly, Gernumbli gardensi, or sometimes referred to as Gernumblies. They are found throughout Europe and North America. A gnome in the Muggle world is an inanimate statue that looks like a small Father Christmas.[1]


Gnomes can reach a size of approximately one foot (making them smaller than erklings[2]). They are usually brown in colour and have disproportionately large heads, making them look like potatoes with legs. Although not dangerous creatures, they possess razor sharp teeth and tend to bite.




The Gnome infestation living in the Weasley garden

Gnomes live in burrows underground, known as gnomeholes,[3] where they dig up and eat the roots of plants[4], creating little heaps of earth around gardens a lot like moles (and as such causing considerable damage to them). Gnomes prefer to live in wizarding gardens.

Gnomes also seem to like worms[5] and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans. The natural predator of the Gnome is the Jarvey. The Jarvey essentially resembles an overgrown ferret.

Crookshanks was fond of chasing gnomes around the garden of the Burrow, and the gnomes seemed just as fond of being chased. According to Muriel they are quick breeders.[6]

Gnomes in the wizarding world



Interaction with humans

"The gnome can be expelled from the garden by swinging it in circles until dizzy and then dropping it over the garden wall. Alternatively a Jarvey may be used, though many wizards nowadays find this method of gnome-control too brutal."
—Instructions on how to de-gnome a garden[src]
Gnome Christmas tree concept art 1

A gnome on top of the Weasleys' Christmas tree

Because of the havoc they wreak upon gardens and the fact that they are somewhat of a giveaway of wizarding homes,[4] gnomes are deemed pests by the wizarding community. 'Gnome-control' typically consists of taking hold of the gnomes, swinging them around until they are dizzy, and then throwing them beyond the yard's perimeter fence or wall. Gnomes have the ability to speak, or at least make noises, squealing "Gerroff me!" when caught,[3] and can be taught swear words.[8] They are also able to scream when thrown away and mumble angrily when they walk away. However they often laugh when a de-gnoming is not done properly.


The Weasleys had to regularly de-gnome the garden by throwing them over the hedge. However, the gnomes always sneaked back in since Arthur Weasley was soft on them and thought they were funny. This may suggest that they have a bit of intelligence, or a clever sub-species of the gnomes exist.

Behind the scenes

  • The gnome was originally created by Paracelsus in his alchemical works as a diminutive earth elemental. The creature was later picked up by other writers.
  • It is possible gnomes possess some degree of magical resistance, which would explain why de-gnoming is achieved through physical means (be it throwing them out or a Jarvey) rather than with some sort of spells.


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Notes and references