Discover the world of garden clivias. How to care for clivias

South African clivias, also known as lilies of the forest or bush lilies, are increasing popular flowering perennials for gardens here and abroad.

This is because they meet all the requirements of the perfect plant: they bear spectacular flowers, have attractive strap-shaped dark green leaves, are easy to grow and tolerate indoor conditions. In addition, clivias will survive if neglected, do not need to be divided frequently, are long-lived, are disease resistant and are drought tolerate. What more can you ask for in a plant?

Clivias in nature

In nature, clivias grow wild in woodland forests to be found from the Eastern Cape to Mpumalanga. They occur in shallow soil on rocks where the soil is light, well-drained, slightly acidic and has a high organic content. The clivia plants often occur in thick mats on shallow rocks.

The most attractive, widespread and popular species is the spring-flowering Clivia miniata. It flowers for about 12 weeks, from August to October. It differs from its three relatives by having large open flowers, which are typical of butterfly-pollinated plants. The other three species of clivia have similar strap-shaped leaves but all have umbels of tubular, drooping orange flowers, which are pollinated by sunbirds.

Clivias in the garden

Although the four indigenous Clivia species are all naturally confined to the eastern forested region of South Africa, they can be grown in light shade to deep shade conditions and are therefore ideal for a shady garden. Clivias can tolerate morning sun, but not hot afternoon sun and can tolerate light frost. The occurrence of frost is usually less under trees or near buildings. Even if all the leaves are damaged, clivias will sprout after a cold spell.

Clivias have a tufted growth and, due to increase by runners, they develop into dense groups. The only disadvantage of clivias is their slow growth. When grown from seed they normally take from 3-5 years to flower. Clivias are visually at their best when planted in large drifts under evergreen trees and in containers on a shady patio. They can easily be mixed with other shade loving plants like protasparagus, impatiens, arum lilies and low growing plectranthus species.

How to grow clivias

There are various ways to grow clivias. Here are a few tips:

• Clivias are easily propagated from seed and the plants proliferate from the base forming dense groups. Well-established plants can be lifted and divided, the stolons separated and then planted out. The best time for this is during the resting season in winter. Clivias propagated by division will grow slowly but shouldn’t experience any delay in flowering.
• Plant clivias 50cm to 60cm apart in slightly acidic to neutral soil, enriched with plenty of compost and a handful of super phosphate or bonemeal.
• When planting clivias from nursery bags or replanting newly divided plants it is important to ensure that they are planted at the same level as they were growing previously, as planting too deeply can cause the leaf bases to rot.
• Clivias will not grow in clay soil - rather plant them in pure compost than clay soil.
• Clivias are slightly hardy and can be grown in cold areas provided they are protected from heavy frost and cold winds.
• Clivias are gross feeders, particularly when grown as container plants. Fertilise with liquid fertiliser (Seagro, Supranure, Sheer Blue or Nitrosol) once a month in spring and summer to maximise blooming. Do not fertilise during the winter.
• Clivias are very waterwise, and only need watering once a month during the dry winter. Once the flower stem has reached 15cm, which occurs in August, water more frequently until the summer rains start.
• Mulch clivia plants with well rotted compost in spring.
• Never divide clivia plants unnecessarily as they resent disturbance and take a few years to start flowering again.