First discovered in 1815 by William J. Burchell on the eastern cape of South Africa. The Clivia has been mostly relegated to the darkest corners of people’s gardens, however in the past few decades the Clivia has slowly moved their way to the front of some collectors’ minds. What started off as a simple orange strappy leaf plant reserved for the most difficult areas of the garden, can now be found in an array of colours, leaf sizes and variegation styles, forms and habits.

Over the past few decades many breeders from countries across the world including Japan, New Zealand, China, South Africa and here in Australia, have been working on creating the new best thing in Clivia. Not only can you get a massive variety of oranges, but you also now get creams, peaches, bronzes, watercolours, interspecifics. Also, a variety of leaf sizes and plant forms for example Daruma and Belgium hybrids. The modern collector is truly spoiled for choice.

Clivia are a member of the Amaryllidaceae family, there are many species in the genus Clivia most notably the C. miniata and the myriad of C. miniata hybrids. The Clivia has proven stubborn to being tissue cultured and at this time there are only two ways to reproduce the Clivia being germinating them from seed and division of offsets from stock plants.

Raising Clivia from seed is easier than you might think, using a free draining potting media in either small pots or plant trays, place the seed on top of the mix and give a light dusting of media just enough to cover the seed, do not worry if they are partially exposed they will be fine. Keep them from drying out and in a shaded spot and watch the magic.

Clivia are best grown in a well shaded part of the garden or in pots filled with a free draining potting media like composted pine bark. Avoid using rough and sharp sand as it has been found to aggravate the plants root systems. Clivia should fertilised with a general purpose slow release fertiliser at least twice a year, usually around July/August giving them a high P fertilizer helps to promote healthy and strong flowering.

Clivias have very few problems pest and disease wise, although when things like mealybug, thrip and scale strike treatment is a must, using systemic or contact insecticide usually solves the problem. Fungal infections and bacterial rot are also not uncommon, usually a practice of removing damaged and dying leaves and regular repotting and not over watering or leaving plants waterlogged for prolonged periods of time.

Consistent watering, fertilising, detailing plus repotting and when time comes dividing plants you should be able to get the best out of your Clivias and enjoy them for many years as clivia are very long-lived plants. Clivia are hardy shade loving and spectacular when in flower, there is an old adage amongst growers Clivias grow on a little water, a little shade and most important neglect.