Growing Clivia miniata
- Clivias flower more reliably if you give them a period of rest in late fall. ...
- For 12-14 weeks (about 3 months), keep the plant in light in a cool room (50-55°F is ideal) and withhold water.
- Keep a close eye on your plant during this resting period. ...
- Begin normal watering (see "Water" above) at the end of the "Winter Rest". ...
How do you propagate Clivias from seed?
Raise new clivia plants either from seed or by cutting off outer sections of the plant, known as offsets. Propagated plants can take several years to produce flowers Collect and sow seed when the berries turn red. Sow in individual small pots of moist seed compost and place in a warm spot, where germination can take up to 2 months
How do you take care of a Clivia miniata?
Growing Clivia miniata. For 12-14 weeks (about 3 months), keep the plant in light in a cool room (50-55°F is ideal) and withhold water. Keep a close eye on your plant during this resting period. If you notice that it is beginning to wilt, add a scant 1-2 cups of water, just enough to moisten the soil lightly.
What is the best temperature to grow Clivia?
If you grow them in containers, it’s best to move them indoors. The growing season for Clivia plants is from spring through fall. The optimal temperatures for this interval are between 21°C (70°F) or more during the day and no less than 10°C (50°F) at night.
What is the best fertilizer for Clivia miniata?
Growing Clivia miniata. After your plant has bloomed (generally in the period from April to August), fertilize it monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer (20-20-20) mixed at ½ the recommended strength. Use restraint: More fertilizer is not better. Stop fertilizing by mid-September.
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How do you take care of Clivia miniata?
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.
Where is the best place to plant clivia?
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.
Is clivia an indoor or outdoor plant?
While most clivias are grown as interesting houseplants, in suitable locations they can be grown as outdoor container plants. However, they must be brought indoors for overwintering. The attraction to clivia plants can be found in their stunning blooms, which vary in color from pale orange to red.
Are clivia easy to grow?
Clivia (Clivia miniata) is an easy to grow houseplant with strappy leaves and tall stocks of flowers that burst into citrus-hued orange or yellow bloom in late winter. Evergreen, it grows from roots rather than a bulb like it's cousin, the amaryllis.
Do clivias flower more than once?
Clivia can flower at slightly different times each year depending on if we have had a cold winter or a warmish winter. Although most C. miniataflower in September, some are a little slower and may flower in October or November. The amount of light seems to also be a factor.
Do clivias grow well in pots?
Like most plants Clivia look best when mass planted. They're ideal for borders, in clumps beneath trees that provide shade in summer, or as part of a lush tropical garden. They also grow well in containers so can be used in patio and balcony garden designs.
What time of year does clivia bloom?
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.
When should I stop watering my clivia?
Stop. The clivia must have a rest period during most of the late winter months. The soil should be dry to maintain a dormant period. The rest period should continue through most of the winter months and not be broken by light waterings until the end of January or early in February.
What to do with clivia after flowering?
Grow clivia under cover in a frost-free place, avoiding hot rooms, in good light but out of direct sun. Water regularly in summer but sparingly in winter, when the plant should be 'rested' in a cool place. Feed in spring and summer, and deadhead once flowering has finished.
Do clivias like sun or shade?
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.
What is the best potting mix for clivia?
Tips for Growing Clivia (Clivia miniata) Good drainage is the key to potting. The best mix is two parts orchid bark, one part ericaceous potting mix and one part perlite. Make sure the neck of the bulb is above soil level. It's very important not to overpot your clivia.
What is the best fertilizer for clivias?
Clivia fare best in dappled sunlight or early morning sun. Dark shade will limit the amount of flowers that your clivia produce. Feed clivia in spring and autumn with 3:1:5 slow-release fertiliser. Clivia in pots should be fed once a month with a liquid fertiliser such as Seagro.
Do clivias like sun or shade?
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.
Can I put my clivia outside?
Clivia are frost tender and can be damaged by temperatures below 5°C (40°F). They should be grown as a houseplant, in a conservatory or warm greenhouse and do best in bright, filtered or indirect light. Avoid direct sun in summer, which may scorch the leaves, and place pots away from radiators or other sources of heat.
Can you plant clivia in the ground?
Growers can plant clivia flowers from late winter to early spring to make the most of its first active season, which lasts from spring to fall. Keep in mind that you should only plant clivia in the ground if you live in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11.
How deep should clivias be planted?
Dig a hole that is 5 inches deep for the clivia rhizome. Place the rhizome into the hole, and hold it upright in the soil.
How to grow clivia?
Grow clivia as a house plant, in a conservatory, or a greenhouse that’s heated in winter. Clivia needs a minimum temperature of 5°C and may suffer frost damage at lower temperatures. Site clivia in bright light but out of direct sunlight and avoid placing in hot centrally-heated rooms or close to heat sources such as a radiator or fire. In the summer months, clivia can be moved out into the garden if given a sheltered spot out of direct sunlight.
How to get a clivia to flower every year?
Adjusting watering to the season and giving the plant a ‘rest’ over winter is key to getting clivia to flower every year.
How long does a clivia live?
Clivia can live for many years and grows to around 45cm high and 30-40cm wide. Note that clivia is mildly toxic – the sap may cause skin irritations and eating any part of the plant can cause mild stomach upset.
Why are my clivia leaves turning brown?
Brown patches, tips, or edges to the leaves are caused either by sun scorch, too little water, or by frost. Always take care not to over-water, and in particular, letting the plant sit in water which can cause the fleshy roots to rot.
What is the white spot on my clivia?
Mealybugs may occur on clivia and is visible as white woolly patches on leaves, and especially in leaf joints. Inspect plants regularly and remove small infestations using cotton wool buds dipped in methylated spirits.
How long does it take for berries to germinate?
Collect and sow seed when the berries turn red. Sow in individual small pots of moist seed compost and place in a warm spot, where germination can take up to 2 months
When to rest clivia?
Over winter, from November to March, ‘rest’ clivia by keeping in a cool place (at a maximum temperature of 10°C) and watering sparingly.
Where do clivias grow?
Clivias grow best where they receive bright daylight but little or no direct sun--in a north-facing window, for example, or in an east- or west-facing window that is partially shaded by a deciduous tree. You can summer your plant outdoors in a shady location. Just remember to bring it back in before the first frost.
How long do clivias need to rest?
Begin this rest period once your plant arrives, and repeat it every year thereafter. For 12-14 weeks (about 3 months), keep the plant in light in a cool room (50-55°F is ideal) and withhold water.
What to use after blooming a plant?
After bloom, lift the plant from its pot and place it in a new pot that is no more than 2" in diameter larger than the old one. Use a potting mix that drains well and that is composed of at least 50% organic matter, such as peat moss or fir bark. Most potting mixes sold at garden centers meet both requirements.
Can you summer a clivia plant outdoors?
Just remember to bring it back in before the first frost. Clivias won't endure temperatures that dip much below freezing.
Do clivias bloom in pots?
Clivias tolerate considerable crowd ing of their roots and bloom best, in fact, when pot-bound.
How long does it take for a clivia to 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.
When do clivias come out?
How to grow clivias from seed. The big red or yellow berries (it depends on flower colour) arrive in early spring as flowering dies down. You can pick the berries then and remove the flesh around the dark, pearl-like seeds.
How do you say clivia?
Is clivia said with a long ‘i’ or a short ‘i’. It doesn’t matter because all botanic names are made up so you can pronounce them any way you want.
What plants are similar to clivias?
Foamflower ( Tiarella sp) Ajuga sp. Lilyturf ( Liriope sp) The leaves of all these plants provide a striking contrast to clivias. Go for a mass display of clivias so you aren't providing different care for different plants - but mix up your colours with red, orange and yellow. Getty.
How to keep a medium moist?
Water to keep the medium moist but not saturated. Plant in garden when roots appear on the medium’s surface. Replant the parent but, before replanting, dig over the soil with compost to aerate and nourish it.
How to cut an offset plant?
When an offset has four of its own leaves, dig up the whole plant, cut the offset from the parent with a clean, sharp knife – be sure to include some roots – and place the offset in potting mix or equal parts of peat moss and coarse sand or perlite and keep warm in medium light.
How long does it take for pine bark to germinate?
Wash seeds in a mild fungicide solution then press into in seed-raising mix or very fine pine bark, but don’t bury them. Seeds germinate in about a month and in six months can be transferred to larger pots. Or you can leave the berries on the plant until they are shrivelled and the flesh dry.
Clivia Miniata Care
Bush Lily has many different variations with various colors and patterns available for purchase, depending on your preference. Some people use them as houseplants while others leave them outside year-round in their garden beds.
Propagating Clivia miniata
Usually, you take stem cuttings from the mother plant to propagate these plants. After it has matured, which takes about three years, it begins producing offsets each year. You can use an offset with three or four leaves for division. The time to do this would be around the end of the winter season.
Potting and Repotting Clivia miniata
When potting, go for well-drained soil rich with humus or a soilless mix. But remember to carefully select its container as it prefers when its roots are tightly bound, as you’ll be using the same pot for quite some time.
Toxicity
All parts of the Natal Lily are toxic. The toxicity is considered mild, but it can get serious if large quantities are ingested. Keep your pets away, especially if they are the curious types. Both dogs and cats are at risk. Although all plant parts are somewhat toxic, the bulbs are the most dangerous.
Common Pests
It is crucial to watch for mealybugs, scale insects, and red spider mites when caring for this plant. Mealybugs like to burrow into tight spaces, closely examine every part of the plant when checking up on it; they’re easy to miss. Around flowering season, snails become the most significant concern as they like to feed on the flowers.
Common Problems
Discoloration on the leaves is a clear sign of the foliage getting sunburnt. Get the plant out of the sun immediately, or else it might die out completely.
What temperature do clivias grow in?
Clivias enjoy a comfortable range of 60°F (16°C) to 75°F (24°C) throughout the growing season. They don’t mind some heat but prefer cooler conditions. They are hardy outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11.
Where do clivias live?
The Clivia is native to Africa, where they live in full or partial shade as subtropical forest plants. They can be found growing on rotting logs and other organic material.
How long do clivias need to dormancy?
They appreciate additional feeding while they grow. After the warm season, Clivias need a six to eight week dormancy. Once warmer temperatures start, you can begin regular care, and enjoy their flower show. Butterflies, birds, and bees love Clivia plants; unfortunately, they are toxic to pets and people.
How long does it take for a clivia to bloom?
It takes a long time to grow Clivias from seed: don’t expect them to bloom until their fifth year. Offsets mature more quickly, but it still takes several seasons to see blooms. For this reason, many growers prefer to buy more expensive older plants. Scientific Name.
How many leaves do clivias have?
Clivias add about three to six leaves a year (and may lose a couple), forming them from the center. Clivia’s spectacular blooms are from one to three inches in size. They bloom for about four weeks as the weather warms – flowering typically begins from February to April.
What is the color of a clivia?
The standard Clivia variety is orange with yellow centers. The tall flowering stalks make excellent cut flowers. Their blossoms produce decorative seedpods that slowly change color as they mature.
What is the best medium for civias?
A soilless mixture can work; orchid bark is a popular Clivia medium. If you use peat moss, add aeration materials like perlite or coarse, gritty sand. Consider your area: a little extra peat or other water-holding material is okay for hot, dry areas but not for cooler, wetter climes. Stay away from fine particulates that compact.
How to propagate a clivia?
To propagate your Clivia through division, expose the offset by washing away the compost and use a sterilized sharp knife to cut it off. Move it to a new container filled with a well-draining medium and, water thoroughly, and use a fungicide to prevent pests and diseases.
How to Propagate Clivia Plants from Seeds?
There are two effective ways to propagate your beloved Clivias: through seeds and offsets.
What Soil Suits Clivias Best?
In their natural habitat, clivias are found growing on top of rotting logs and other types of organic materials. Therefore, they are not very picky when it comes to the soil as long as it is well-draining and loamy.
What Temperatures and Humidity Levels Are Best for Clivias?
During the growing season (spring-summer), the optimal temperature for Clivia plants is around 15°C (60°F). Clivias cannot tolerate intense heat, so for optimal growth, the temperatures shouldn’t exceed 18°C (65°F).
How much does a clivia cost?
The prices for nicely-colored clivias can vary from $20 to hundreds of dollars.
Why are clivias so expensive?
Clivias are expensive because they have high ornamental value and a long-lasting flowering interval. In addition to that, cultivating Clivia plants takes two to three years, which is a lot compared to other flowering plants.
What color are clivias?
The most exciting thing about Clivias is their blossom, which in the case of the Clivia minata is usually orange. But, in cultivation, it can also be yellow, peach, pink, cream, and even green. Some of these colors are pretty rare and people are willing to spend a fortune to get their hands on a unique specimen.
How to grow clivia from seed?
Clivia Seed Germination. If you’re asking, “How do I germinate clivia seeds,” the first step to growing clivia by seed is, of course, finding the seeds. If you have a clivia plant already, you can harvest them. When a clivia flower is pollinated, it produces large red berries. Leave the berries on the plant for a year to allow them to ripen, ...
Where do clivia seeds come from?
Clivia Seed Germination: How Do I Germinate Clivia Seeds. Clivia is a fascinating plant. Native to South Africa, this large flowering evergreen can get very expensive if bought as a full grown plant. Luckily, it can be grown quite easily from its large seeds.
How to plant civia seeds?
Clivia seed germination will be much more successful if you soak them and your potting soil in fungicide before planting. Fill a container with cactus mix or African violet potting mix and soak it thoroughly.
How to grow a sage plant from seed?
Press your seeds into the top of the soil and cover the top of the pot with plastic wrap. The roots should emerge from the seeds before the leaves. If the roots start growing up rather than down, poke a hole into the soil with a pencil and gently tuck the roots into it.