Clivia
A plant that thrives on neglect: a cool winter, a crowded pot and not too much water are what make it flower.
Care
Bright indirect light; direct summer sun scorches the leaves.
Low-medium; almost dry during the winter rest, then water more once the flower stem is a few centimetres tall.
Loam-based compost with grit; flowers best when pot-bound.
Cut the flower stem after flowering unless you want seed. Remove damaged leaves.
A balanced liquid feed every two weeks from the start of flowering until late summer.
Separate offsets with at least four leaves after flowering. Seed takes three to five years to flower.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- FebruaryResume watering when the flower stem appears; don't move the plant until it has flowered. how ›
- JuneCan summer outdoors in shade. how ›
- NovemberGive a cool, fairly dry rest (around 10°C) for about eight weeks — this sets the flowers.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryResume watering when the flower stem appears; don't move the plant until it has flowered. how ›
- MayCan summer outdoors in shade. how ›
- NovemberGive a cool, fairly dry rest (around 10°C) for about eight weeks — this sets the flowers.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryResume watering when the flower stem appears; don't move the plant until it has flowered. how ›
- MayCan summer outdoors in shade. how ›
- NovemberGive a cool, fairly dry rest (around 10°C) for about eight weeks — this sets the flowers.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryResume watering when the flower stem appears; don't move the plant until it has flowered. how ›
- AprilCan summer outdoors in shade. how ›
- NovemberGive a cool, fairly dry rest (around 10°C) for about eight weeks — this sets the flowers.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Flowers open squashed down among the leaves.
What to do. Winter rest too short or too warm, or watered too early.
How to spot it. Healthy leaves only.
What to do. Needs a cool winter rest and a snug pot.
How to spot it. White fluff at the leaf bases.
What to do. Remove with alcohol on a cotton bud.
Questions
Clivia: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — a long-lived pot plant; repot rarely.
Clivia: when do you prune it?
Cut the flower stem after flowering unless you want seed.
Clivia: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in February–April.
When do you feed it?
A balanced liquid feed every two weeks from the start of flowering until late summer. Feeding months, UK: March–August.