Kaffir Lily Provides Beauty and Easy Care

Saturday, January 10, 2009 03:45 AM

A houseplant that is not often found but well worth the search is the Clivia miniata also known as the Kaffir lily.

A member of the amaryllis family this native from South Africa produces tall stems topped with clusters of beautiful orange, trumpet shaped flowers with a yellow throat. When not in bloom this plant is still beautiful because of its long (12-15 inch), thick, glossy green, strap –like leaves that grow in clumps with leaves that grow side to side rather than all around.

The Clivia miniata is an easy to care for houseplant that does not need a lot of attention. They like to be grown in bright indirect light such as an east, west or filtered south window.

During the growing season water thoroughly when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch but do not let it dry out.

Fertilize monthly with a diluted solution of 20-20-20 during the spring/summer months.

Over the winter months of November through to February the plant needs a rest so cut back on the water, do not fertilize and if possible place in an area of the home where the temperatures are cooler (10-12 Celsius) but still give the plant lots of daylight.

Giving the plant a rest should help in producing blooms in the spring/summer.

After the clivia has bloomed remove the flower stems at the base so that it does not put its energy into forming seeds unless you want the seeds.

Propagation is most often done by dividing the plant after it has finished blooming. They are easy to divide because the plant will continue to produce small bulblets that grow beside the mother plant and it is the small bulbets that you would divide and replant. It may take some time however before these small bulblets will produce flowers so have patience but it is certainly worth it.

Clivias are a long living plant that will give years of pleasure if looked after properly. If you have the chance to get one do not pass it up because you will not be disappointed.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knap Garden Centres in Prince George: