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Home > Plant profiles > Clivia miniata
Clivia miniata
We currently have mature Clivia ready to flower and ready to ship (within Australia) - see the shop
 Botanical name: Clivia miniata.
Common names: Bush lily (English), Boslelie (Afrikaans).
History: At one time Clivia miniata were selling for US$1600. An American mail order company was in the early stages selling it for US$995 blooming size. By the same token, Chinese Clivias especially the best ones tend to be expensive, about US$25,000 to US$100,000.
Origin: C. miniata is native to three regions in South Africa; KwaZulu in the Natal Province, The Eastern Transvaal in South Africa, and Swaziland. It was in the 1800’s that the world`s attention was drawn towards the Clivia when specimens were sent to England from KwaZulu in the Natal province.
Name: Clivia gained their current name from the English botanist John Lindley in 1854. Lindley (1799-1865) was the first Professor of Botany at London University and one of the most active taxonomists during the first half of the nineteenth century. He named the plant to honour Lady Charlotte Florentina Clive, Duchess of Northumberland. She was the granddaughter of Robert Clive who founded the British Empire in India and was the first to cultivate and flower the specimen outside its natural environment. The name ‘Miniata’ is a misnomer, as it doesn`t mean small, it comes from the Latin minium, “red oxide of lead.“
Comments: Probably no plant rewards more beauty for less care than the Clivia. A great houseplant because of its meagre requirements for light, water and fertilizer. They thrive in dappled shade and are best kept moist through summer in free draining soil - although they will withstand drought. They look good all the time and produce bunches (umbels) of wonderful trumpet shaped flowers each flowering season after reaching 3 years of age. These have neither bulbs nor rhizomes, but possess an abundance of thick rope-like roots that allow it to tolerate root competition. Clivia generally take at least 3 years to flower.
Potting: These plants make ideal pot plants and they love being crowded in a pot, so leave them undisturbed for many years.
Tips: They are sensitive to sunlight and will burn easily. This exquisite perennial thrives in dry shade. Its dark glossy foliage and clusters of clear yellow flowers make it a wonderful specimen in a dark glazed pot. Frost tender, in cooler climates Clivia are best kept in containers and moved under cover during winter. Long lasting cut flowers can be taken from this plant. Snails love to live on this plant as they feed on the flowers.
Family: Amaryllidaceae.
Plant type: Evergreen perennial.
Size (HxW): 45cm x 30cm.
Depth and spacing: Plant with the crown just below soil surface level and 30cm apart.
Watering: Water well in spring and summer but keep soil drier in autumn and winter.
Frost tolerances: Clivia must be protected from frost – a verandah, the eaves of a house or a dense tree canopy are usually sufficient for as low as –5°C.
Flowering time: Spring to summer, once the flowers are mature which will be in approx 3 years.
Soil: Well drained, a pH 5.5-6.5 best suits Clivia.
Aspect: Part to full shade.
Climate: Cool to Sub-tropical.
Pruning: Remove old leaves and stems.
Fertilizer: A generous amount of slow release fertilizer (such as Osmocote) applied regularly from early spring to mid summer achieves maximum growth.
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