Clivia / Bush Lily

Clivia miniata

description

Clivia is a shade-tolerant plant with strap leaves and clusters of orange flowers.

benefits

Flowering
Suitable for containers

warnings

Toxic to cats
Toxic to dogs

How to care for Clivia

sunlight

In South African woodland, clivia grows beneath a broken canopy rather than in open sun. Give it bright, filtered light indoors for healthy leaves and the best chance of flowers.

Bright indirect light

Place near an east-facing window, or a few feet back from a bright south or west window behind a sheer curtain. Gentle early sun is usually fine, but strong afternoon sun can scorch the strap-like leaves.

Lower light - tolerated

Clivia stays leafy in medium to low indirect light, but it may grow more slowly and flower less reliably. Move it brighter if flowering is the goal.

If leaves bleach, yellow, or develop dry brown patches, shift the pot farther from direct glass. Turn it occasionally so the fan of leaves grows evenly.

watering

Let the mix dry partly before watering. Clivia has fleshy roots that rot easily if they stay wet, so thorough watering followed by a short dry spell works best.

Active growth

In brighter, warmer months, water about every 7-10 days. Water until it drains freely, then wait until the top 1-2 inches of mix are dry and the pot feels lighter.

Cooler, low-light months

During its cooler resting period, water roughly every 2-4 weeks, only enough to keep the root ball from becoming bone dry. Growth slows, so the mix should dry further between drinks.

Check the pot, not the calendar: a small terracotta pot in bright light dries much faster than a large plastic pot in shade.

Never leave Clivia sitting in drained water. Constantly wet soil can quickly cause root rot.

humidity

Humidity

40-60%

Clivia grows beneath trees in South African woodland, so it appreciates moderate humidity. Average household air is usually fine at about 35-60%, with 40-60% preferred. If air stays very dry, especially near heating, leaf tips may turn brown and crisp.

Raise humidity around the plant without keeping its soil wet.

Move it away from radiators, heating vents, and hot sunny windows.
Run a small humidifier nearby if humidity is regularly below 35%.
Group it with other plants to create a slightly more humid pocket of air.

temperature

Active growth

18-24°C (65-75°F)

Winter rest

10-13°C (50-55°F)

Clivia comes from the shaded woodlands of South Africa, where temperatures stay fairly mild. Keep it comfortably warm while it grows, then give it a cool, frost-free rest in autumn and winter to encourage flowering.

A cool spare room or enclosed porch is ideal for winter, as long as temperatures stay above 7°C (45°F).

Protect from frost, cold drafts, and prolonged temperatures below 7°C (45°F).

nutrition

March - August

Feed every 3-4 weeks while the plant is making new leaves, using a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at about half strength. Apply it to already moist compost. Stop feeding in autumn and winter, when Clivia rests and prepares to flower.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen supports the long, deep-green strap leaves. A balanced feed provides enough - heavy feeding can encourage soft leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Potassium

Potassium supports sturdy growth and flowering. A normal balanced fertilizer is sufficient; there is no need for a special bloom booster.

If white crust forms on the compost or pot rim, flush the soil with plain water and pause feeding for a month.

soil

Rich, airy, free-draining soil

Clivia likes some moisture around its fleshy roots, but stagnant compost can cause rot. Use a quality potting mix loosened with orchid bark, perlite, or pumice so water drains freely.

pH 6,0 - 6,5

This is slightly acidic, which suits clivia well. Most standard houseplant or peat-free potting mixes fall close to this range, so no special adjustment is usually needed.

Keep clivia slightly snug in its pot, and always choose a container with drainage holes.