Clivia miniata
Clivia miniata · Amaryllidaceae
📷 Hillocks · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around clivia miniata and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Clivia Lily
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green
- Flowering
- Winter to spring (January-April)
- Adult size
- 24 to 35 inches in height
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender (min. 50 °F)
- Origin
- South Africa
- Soil type
- Well-draining, rich in organic matter
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrose modérément en croissance (printemps-été), en laissant bien sécher entre deux arrosages—les racines charnues pourrissent facilement à l'excès d'eau. En hiver, réduis drastiquement : un arrosage toutes les 3-4 semaines suffit. Le terreau doit drainer vite : ajoute 30% de sable ou de perlite au terreau classique.
The common mistake
La plupart des jardiniers noient le Clivia en voulant bien faire : c'est la cause numéro un d'avortement floral et de pourriture des rhizomes. Il préfère nettement la sécheresse relative à l'humidité permanente.
The pro's trick
Pour forcer la floraison, impose un repos hivernal strict (10-12°C, très peu d'eau) pendant 6-8 semaines de novembre à janvier. Sans ce choc thermique, l'énergie va à la feuille, jamais à la fleur. C'est la clé que beaucoup oublient.
Seasonal watch
En été, surveille l'araignée rouge quand il fait sec et chaud : elle adore les feuilles du Clivia. Brumise le feuillage tous les 2-3 jours ou pose un humidificateur à proximité pour prévenir l'infestation—une fois installée, elle est tenace.
Care
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season, letting the soil dry out slightly between waterings. In winter, reduce watering as the plant enters dormancy. Avoid standing water: use a pot with drainage holes and let excess water drain away. Clivia prefers slight moisture without excess.
Light
Place it in indirect light, away from direct sun rays that scorch the leaves. It tolerates semi-shaded corners and even handles moderate light. For beautiful blooms, give it a cool period (50-59 °F) for 4-6 weeks before winter.
Soil and potting mix
Use a humus-rich potting mix blended with a bit of perlite or sand to improve drainage. Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring, choosing a pot slightly larger than the previous one. Be careful not to bury the crown.
Fertilizer
Fertilize during the growing season (April to October) with a balanced fertilizer at moderate strength every 2 to 3 weeks. Reduce feeding in winter. A light boost of potassium before flowering promotes flower production.
Pruning and maintenance
No heavy pruning is needed. Simply remove dead or damaged leaves at the base. After flowering, you can remove spent flower stems by cutting near the base, unless you want to keep the red berries for ornament.
Diseases and pests
Watch for overwatering which causes root rot. Mealybugs and spider mites can infest the plant indoors in dry air: mist the foliage occasionally and inspect regularly. Good drainage and adequate air circulation prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Clivia miniata is named after the Reverend John Clivia, a British aristocrat from the 1800s and an avid collector of exotic plants. Its spectacular orange flowers in umbels are so prized in South Africa that they've inspired intensive hybridization: yellow and bicolor forms have become prestigious collections, with some plants fetching premium prices among collectors.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- RamsonsAllium ursinum
- ChivesAllium schoenoprasum
- Sand leekAllium scorodoprasum
- Elephant garlicAllium ampeloprasum
- OnionAllium cepa
- Belladonna lilyAmaryllis belladonna
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.