Clivia is best planted in low light areas of the garden. In full sun, plants will become bleached and stressed. Clivias do need protection from frost so in some areas they should be grown in pots that can be moved indoors or into a glasshouse during the winter.

Is Clivia indigenous to South Africa?

The genus Clivia is endemic to southern Africa, meaning that they do not occur naturally anywhere else in the world! The wild bush lily grows in the forests of Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Swaziland.

What month do clivias flower?

Most bloom in spring, but flowering times do vary, depending on the species Clivia gardenii, for instance, blooms from autumn to spring, bringing welcome colour to the winter garden. They produce strong flower stems that are topped with heads of large funnel-shaped flowers in vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and red.

How do clivias grow in South Africa?

Plant in an area of light shade with dappled sun. The plants will do well under trees where the fallen leaves will act as natural mulch. Clivias are best planted in the spring and early summer. Transplanting and splitting are however best done after the flowering season.

How do you grow clivias outside?

Clivias are easy to grow, but their position is vital. Early morning sun or dappled shade is best, with protection from midday and afternoon sun. Clivias planted out in the open will become scorched and unsightly on the first hot sunny day. In cold climate areas, clivias will need protection from frost.

What is Clivia used for?

Administered to people only: Root infusions are taken for snakebite and also applied to the wound. They are also taken for fevers and to induce or facilitate childbirth. Roots or leaves are sometimes an ingredient in inembe, an infusion taken regularly during pregnancy to ensure an easy childbirth.

Why is clivia expensive?

Prices are high, he added, for a reason. “It is not an easy plant to propagate, and a flowering clivia will be several years old,” Wadsworth said. … (These cost less because they are smaller and younger; also, they may need more time to reach blossom age, and the variety may be less rare).

When should clivia be cut back?

Clivia, like most amaryllids, reacts poorly to extensive root disturbance, but every three to five years it helps to trim off a fourth or fifth of the system, from the sides and bottom of the rootball.

Is Clivia a true lily?

CliviaOrder:AsparagalesFamily:AmaryllidaceaeSubfamily:AmaryllidoideaeGenus:Clivia Lindl.

Can clivias grow indoors?

Indoor clivias prefer bright, indirect light while those grown outdoors need shade. They also like rich, well-draining potting mix or soilless mix. Clivia is most active from spring through fall, at which time the plant should receive daytime temperatures of 70 degrees F.

Article first time published on

What plants grow in the shade in South Africa?

• Arum lillies (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
• Hen and chickens (Chlorophytum comosum)
• Forest bell bush (Mackaya bella)
• Leather leaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis)
• Wild Iris (Dietes grandiflora)
• Forest Gardens (Gardenia thunbergia)
• Bush lily ( Clivia miniata)

How do you take care of a clivia plant?

During the spring and summer growing seasons, a clivia needs regular watering but should be allowed to become dry to the touch between waterings. An automatic weekly watering will often be too much and can cause rot. Fertilize once a month with a half-strength dilute solution of 20-20-20 fertilizer.

Will clivias grow in sun?

GROWING CLIVIAS Clivias will grow in shade, but may become ‘leggy’ if grown in deep shade. They will still flower, but not prolifically. Aim for good light in autumn and spring, but avoid strong sunlight in the summer months. Best grown in fertile, well-drained soil.

Do clivias multiply?

Clivia’s natural multiplication by offsets. Clivias are one of many plants that produce offsets. These are the tiny plants that cluster around the base of the mother plant and grow up to be exactly like their parent. … These young plants can produce multiples in no time, provided they are handled properly.

How often do you have to water clivias?

Water clivia once a week in summer. In winter you can rely on nature to provide enough water. Make sure your clivia are planted in well-draining soil. They tend to rot if the soil becomes waterlogged.

Can clivias live outside?

For best results, grow Clivia in bright diffused light such as a bright north window, or an east or west window shaded from the sun. They can be moved outside for the summer (in the shade or acclimate slowly to brighter conditions so they don’t sunburn), but must be brought in before freezing weather.

How fast do Clivia grow?

Clivias are slow growers and it can take up to five years for a seed to grow into a flowering plant. Keep in a warm, protected, ventilated spot out of direct sunlight. Water in spring and summer, ensuring soil is damp but not wet and fertilise every couple of weeks.

How many times a year do clivias flower?

A. Miniata, Gardenii, Robusta and Caulescens seedlings should flower at three to four year with slightly longer for the yellow varieties.

What Colours do clivias come in?

As well as orange flowered forms there are also newer colour varieties of clivia available including red-orange, yellow and cream. There are also bi-colours that are orange with a strong yellow throat.

Do clivias make good cut flowers?

Clivia are incredibly good cut flowers. Some flowers I have cut have lasted almost two weeks in a vase. The berries are also very ornamental and can be used in flowering arrangements, too. Clivia make an outstanding flower for vases.

What do you do with clivias after they bloom?

After flowering, remove spent flower stems near the base, unless seed is required, and reduce watering. Water sparingly through winter, but do not allow the containers to dry out. Repotting, where necessary, can be carried out in early spring using a slightly larger container.

What do you feed clivias?

Use a fertilizer with high potassium at this time. Doing these things will force the clivia to bloom. Turn the pot slightly every day so that buds and blooms will be encouraged to grow evenly around the plant. Once the clivia is blooming again, go back to using a 20-20-20 fertilizer every two weeks.

How do you take care of clivias in the winter?

Clivias need a rest period of six to 12 weeks in fall and winter to initiate flower bud development. Temperatures during this time should be 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. A guest bedroom, porch or a partially heated garage (temperatures must remain above 35 F) may be suitable plant locations.

Are clivias indigenous?

Plant indigenous, water wise clivias this month and allow their vibrant spring blooms to brighten up the shady areas of your garden. … When used as patio plants, clivias grow best in containers with a diameter of between 10-25cm.

When can clivia go outside?

The best conditions will be temps around 70 degrees–a warm, sunny, south-facing window is great until you can move it outside to enjoy the summer’s heat and light. Along comes late fall and early winter and it’s sleepy time for your clivia.

What kind of soil does clivia need?

Clivia plants do best in very rich and well-draining soils, soilless mixes or a combination. Adding portions of peat moss and sand to the bottom of the pot help greatly as well. The two help the soil to drain better, preventing root rot.

Why are my clivias dying?

Excessive or incorrect watering can cause issues with root rot, crown rot, and other fungal diseases. If conditions related to water are not the issue, closely examine plants for signs of insects. … Amaryllis borer moths are another common pest that may cause the decline of clivia health or complete loss of plants.

What insect eats clivia leaves?

Insect Pests The amaryllis borer moth can completely destroy clivias. The larvae of these bugs, which are caterpillars, tunnel down in the leaf, destroying the corm. The mealy bug is another problem for clivia plants. They hide toward the base of the plant and between the leaves.

How long will a clivia live in?

Clivia plants are very long-lived and have been known to survive up to 20 years. They have long, strappy , thick and waxy leaves, similar to those of the cast iron plant, which emerge from the soil directly opposite one another in an alternating pattern.

Is clivia poisonous to dogs?

Intestinal symptoms may be hard on your dog as well, especially if there is an underlying disease or condition. Clivia lily poisoning in dogs is caused by the consumption of any part of the clivia lily plant, but the bulbs and berries are the most toxic.

Can hydrangeas grow in full shade?

Hydrangeas grow best in full sun (more than 6 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun). With that being said, all hydrangeas can handle some shade, but the timing and type of shade are important to consider. They can be in full shade during the hottest part of the day, as long as they are getting some morning sun.