Grow Clivia Miniata | indoor flowering plants

How to Grow Clivia miniata

Clivia miniata in full bloom

Clivia miniata is a long-lived plant that grows beautiful late-winter flowers in shades of coral, orange or yellow. Gardeners enjoy winter blooming plants like amaryllis and orchids to brighten dreary days, but Clivia miniata, a member of the lily family, is by far the easiest to grow. Each stem produces one flower stock and over time produces multiple clumps, creating a magnificent flower display that lasts for weeks. Mature potted Clivias are three feet tall and wide with shiny, arching, dark green leaves. Clivias thrive as houseplants in cooler climates and can grow outdoors in USDA zone 9 and 10. Modern hybrids bloom twice a year when grown in ideal conditions.

Place your Clivia in a bright location that does not receive direct sunlight, such as a north window or a shaded east or west window. If summered outdoors, place in a shaded location in a position protected from heavy rain.

Drainage holes for the clivia plant.

Water your Clivia plant only when the top five inches of the potting mix is dry. Avoid misting a clivia to keep excess moisture off the leaves. Over-watering will cause root rot and kill the plant. A large plant benefits from having holes drilled around the bottom 1/3 of the pot to allow a bit of airflow to the soil. Over watering first exhibits as pale green or orange cankers on the leaves. It is best to error on the side of dryness for the health of the plant.

Fertilize Clivia once a month with a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer during the active growing season, April through August.

A winter cooling period is required to induce the plant to bloom. Temperatures between 40 to 50 degrees F. with no watering for about a month will activate the blooming cycle. A cool spot near a window in fall and winter or placement in a cool porch works well. In spring, increase the temperatures to 65 to 75 degrees and the flower bud should appear. Only resume watering when you see signs of active growth. Deadhead flowers after blooming to prevent plant energy directed into producing seeds.

Clivia miniata

Clivia miniata blooms best when pot-bound. Repot only when you are unable to keep the plant watered sufficiently, typically every five to ten years. Move to a pot about two inches larger in spring right after the blooming period. Use a well draining potting mix, such as orchard mix, for best results. Take care to protect the roots; re-potting a mature plant is a two-person job. Wear gloves, as some people are allergic to the latex sap. Divide a mature Clivia by gently pulling the fans apart and potting each in a well-drained soil mix. Young offshoots may take up to five years to reach blooming size.

Read about the history of Clivia here.

Share|