The clivias (Clivia) are a genus of plants from the Amaryllidaceae or Amaryllis family. They come from South Africa and are often kept as houseplants. As it gets older, it produces more and more beautiful and lush flowers.
How do you properly care for a clivia plant?
Proper Clivia care includes a bright location without direct sun, regular watering in summer, sparing watering in winter, fertilizer every 1-2 weeks during the growth and flowering period and a rest period of at least 2 months at 10- 12°C.
Planting the Clivia
Plant an adult clivia in normal potting soil. If you would like to grow a young plant from a child, place it in a mixture of peat and sand. The best time for this is shortly after flowering. The clivia should be repotted approximately every three to four years.
The right location for the Clivia
The Clivia needs a lot of light, but it cannot tolerate direct sun. Therefore it should not be placed on a south-facing window. When watering flowers or cleaning windows, make sure that you do not move your Clivia or place it in a different position than before. As a result, the plant may not bloom. It's best to mark the flower pot so you always know which side should face the light.
Unfortunately, the Clivia is one of the poisonous houseplants, so it should not be kept in a household with small children or pets, or at least given a safe place out of their reach.
Water and fertilize the clivia properly
In the summer, the Clivia likes to be watered abundantly. The root ball should always be slightly moist without causing waterlogging. In winter, however, water very sparingly, just enough to prevent the plant from drying out.
During the growth and flowering period, the clivia needs additional nutrients. Fertilize the plant weekly or every two weeks with a commercially available liquid fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon) or use a slow-release fertilizer according to the package instructions.
The Clivia in winter
Around October it's time for a winter rest. The clivia now needs less water and no fertilizer. The temperature should be reduced to around 10°C to 12°C for at least two months. The cool time can also be longer. Without this winter dormancy, it is difficult to get the clivia to bloom. However, be sure to give it a bright winter quarters, the Clivia needs a lot of light even in winter.
The most important things in brief:
- needs a lot of light, otherwise no flowers
- does not tolerate direct sun
- will be approx. 30 to 70 cm tall
- Flowering time: February to May or June
- no change of location during flowering
- water abundantly in summer, little in winter
- Avoid waterlogging
- fertilize about every 1 to 2 weeks
- At least 2 months of rest at around 10 °C to 12 °C
- repot about every 3 to 4 years
- poisonous
Tip
As a poisonous houseplant, the Clivia doesn't exactly belong in households with children and/or pets, at least not within their reach.
