How To Take Care Of Clivia Flower Plants In Your Garden

Most Clivia plants are grown as recreational houseplants, but in the right location they can be grown as outdoor container plants. However, they should be brought indoors for long winters. The appeal of Clivia plants can be found in their stunning flowers, which vary in color from pale orange to red. The fragrant, trumpet-like flowers are similar to amaryllis but smaller.

Soil

Pot up in well-draining, clay-based John Innes No. 2 compost mixed with multipurpose compost or extra leaf mold and grit, although any good potting medium should be satisfactory. Do not plant too deep - the neck of the bulb should be above the soil level.

Light 

A location with morning or evening sun is the ideal area for this species, as too dark a setting increases the chance of root rot. If you're worried about its location being too dim, if the newspaper can be read with your back to the light source, you're good to go. Although sunlight can be very beneficial for Clivia, avoid burning the leaves with too strong rays - typical signs are the development of dark yellow leaves and brown spots on the upper side of the leaves.

In terms of ideal location depth, a north, east or west facing window or semi-shaded conservatory are excellent areas for optimum growth.

Water

Allow the top half of the soil to dry between watering. Once the pot feels lighter when lifted than when it was last watered, it's time for more hydration. It is always best to keep Clivia under water, as they naturally grow in the robust forests of South Africa which can withstand short periods of drought. It is possible to increase the chances of flowering in spring by reducing the amount of water for its dormant period in autumn and winter.

Fertilizer

Use a fertilizer high in potassium to encourage flowers during the flowering period - an excellent example is 'tomato' feed. Regular fertilizers, for example, BabyBio or Miracle-Gro, will still work but favor leaf growth as well as flowers. For the rest of the year, a standardized fertilizer can be used as a monthly supplement for foliage and root growth.