Indoor clivias prefer bright, indirect light while
those grown outdoors need shade
. They also like rich, well-draining potting mix or soilless mix. Clivia is most active from spring through fall, at which time the plant should receive daytime temperatures of 70 degrees F.
Where do clivias grow best?
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
.
How often should clivias be watered?
Water clivia
once a week in summer
. In winter you can rely on nature to provide enough water. Make sure your clivia are planted in well-draining soil. They tend to rot if the soil becomes waterlogged.
How do I get my clivia to bloom?
It is possible to force clivia to bloom once the initial flowering period is over. Clivia
needs a cold period of 25-30 days
in order to bloom. You can simulate this natural cold period by placing your clivia in a cool area with daytime temperatures at about 40-60 degrees F. (4-15 C.), but no lower than 35 degrees F.
Can clivias grow in full shade?
CLIVIAS ARE
SHADE TOLERANT
Gardeners are always looking for plants that flower in winter when there is a lack of colour. Landscapers and designers love to use clivias, as they are generally trouble-free plants for that difficult, shady spot.
What time of year do clivias flower?
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.
Why is Clivia 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.
Why do clivia leaves go yellow?
Clivias develop yellow leaves and
root rot if they are over-watered
. They grow best when kept barely moist in pots with excellent drainage. Clivias bloom more freely when their roots are crowded, so don’t re-pot until the bulb starts to push out of the container.
What is the best fertilizer for clivias?
Clivia plants need to be fertilized in the spring just after blooming. Once you begin the fertilization process, you can do so monthly with a water-soluble, potassium-rich fertilizer. The mixture needs to be
20-20-20
at half the recommended strength. It is recommended you discontinue fertilizing over the colder months.
Should I mist my clivia?
It does not need high humidity and should not be misted
. 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.
Do clivias bloom every year?
In fact, most mature clivias
will flower twice a year
, occasionally even more. Expect at least one blooming session in winter (it’s their normal season), but it’s certainly not unusual to see them bloom again in the summer and sometimes yet again in the fall.
How often do clivia plants bloom?
Water well and once new growth with fresh leaves in the plant’s center, feed weekly with soluble liquid fertilizer at one-fourth the strength you’ll see listed on the label. Your clivia will bloom
in March or April
but when young, they can hold off blooming until mid-summer.
Why has my clivia not flowering?
Non-flowering can be due to:
Plants being over-potted
(too large a container too soon) Plants kept at too high a temperature during winter. Insufficient water when in active growth may also lead to the flower buds failing to develop and dieback of foliage tips.
Do clivias multiply?
These strappy-leaved South African stalwarts can hold up for years in a dim, parched corner and still produce sunny umbels of bell-shaped flowers from about now. You find them
steadily multiplying in abandoned gardens
or in soils thick with tree roots.
When should you fertilize clivias?
Feed clivia in
early spring and autumn
with a controlled-release organic fertiliser for flowering plants, avoiding high nitrogen fertilisers. Specialist growers apply regular liquid fertiliser during summer to early autumn, using a high potash fertiliser to promote increased flowering.
What plants look good with clivias?
Designing with clivias
Use the foliage as a backdrop to keep your dry, shady spot in flower though spring, summer and autumn by planting in the same plot: Bergenia sp. Mona lavender (Plectranthus sp)
Coral bells (Heuchera sp)
