A Bouncing Bulb is a magical plant that appears as a purple, “rather ugly” bulb. They are notably animated, constantly wriggling and jumping, even when sitting on a bench. They are small enough to be held in a student's hands but possess considerable energy, making them difficult to restrain. When one escapes a person's grasp, it can bounce with enough force to reach the ceiling of a Hogwarts Greenhouse.
The primary characteristic of a Bouncing Bulb is its vigorous and incessant bouncing. This property makes handling them a challenge, requiring both strength and dexterity. In the Hogwarts Herbology curriculum, students learn to handle and repot Bouncing Bulbs. This task is taught by at least the fourth year, serving as a practical lesson in managing volatile magical flora. The main goal for students is to successfully transfer the bulb from one pot to another without it escaping. A notable, and potentially dangerous, property of the bulb is its ability to physically strike individuals. While repotting them, Professor Sprout once warned a student to be careful, as a Bouncing Bulb had just tried to “take a bite out of” him.
Bouncing Bulbs primarily serve to build the world of the Herbology curriculum at Hogwarts. They are featured in two specific lessons: