Clivia

Class

Monocotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Order

Asparagales

Genus

Clivia

Species

illuminated

Description

An evergreen, rhizomatous perennial plant, suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments depending on the prevailing weather conditions.

Outdoors, it should be placed in the shade, and its growth rate is proportional to the temperature. In summer, mature plants should be kept in a cool, shaded spot, preferably with diffused light, to encourage the rapid development of many new leaves. Excessive heat slows growth and causes the leaves to become elongated and the foliage to weaken. With the arrival of autumn, protect the plant when minimum temperatures approach 7–10°. Vernalisation is necessary to ensure abundant flowering the following year. If the leaves turn yellow, this may indicate that the plant is receiving too much direct sunlight.

Clelia has a very long production cycle, taking over two years from sowing. To flower, it requires a vernalisation period of 1,000 hours at temperatures below 10°C, after which the forcing period is fairly short. Recently, cultivation has been carried out in ‘low-tech’ greenhouses, with the aim of minimising energy costs as much as possible.

curiosity and special features

The botanical genus Clivia was named in 1828 by John Lindley, Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society, in honour of Lady Charlotte Florentia Clive, Duchess of Northumberland, who was the first to successfully bring the plants introduced to England in 1823 by James Bowie – an explorer and gardener at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – into flower.
The specific epithet ‘miniata’ ( ), on the other hand , derives from ‘minio’, referring to the colour of the flowers (carmine red).

Origin and Diffusion

A species native to southern Africa, where it grows as an epiphyte in the subtropical biome, it was discovered in the early 19th century and introduced to England in 1823.

Leaf

The leaves, which are evergreen and slightly arched, have a linear or ribbon-shaped blade with a smooth margin.

Leaf color

plain colour, glossy dark green.

Plant height

The plant’s height ranges from 0.4 to 0.8 m.

Lifespan

Polyennial evergreen plant.

Suggested planting locations

Given its size and climate requirements, it is well suited as a pot plant.

Stem/stem

It develops a herbaceous stem; the plant has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form and large, with a funnel-shaped corolla and solid-coloured petals featuring an eye-like mark. It is arranged in large umbel-like inflorescences. It flowers from late winter to late summer, with a flowering period of between 180 and 200 days.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

Its upright growth habit is visually emphasised by the stems, which bear umbrella-shaped inflorescences at their tips.

branching

It develops Medium branching.

pH

It requires a potting compost with a sub-acidic pH, with optimal values between 6.0 and 6.5.

sun exposure

It requires a position in partial shade, shade or dappled shade.

Avoid direct sunlight.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 22 °C. The vital temperature is between 0.0 and 38 °C.

Use

Owing to the uniqueness of its inflorescences and the lustre of its foliage, it is widely appreciated in
ornamental use

Hardiness

Provided it is grown under the right conditions for growth and development, it is ahighly hardy plant.

Soil/medium

Use a potting mix for green houseplants, containing peat and perlite.

Maintenance

Under the right environmental conditions, it isextremely easy to grow.

cultivation tips

Some specific growing guidelines:
Keep the growing medium dry at low temperatures Move outdoors once there is no longer any risk of frost

Reproduction/Propagation

Mainly by dividing the clumps and separating the suckers.

potting

Don’t repot it into a larger pot too soon, as it flowers best when its roots have filled all the available space.

Irrigation

During the hottest and driest period, watering should be carried out regularly, applying low-salinity water directly to the growing medium and allowing it to dry out slightly; light sprinkler watering may also be used, but only if the water is not hard, to prevent the formation of unsightly deposits on the foliage.

During the cold season, reduce or suspend watering.

Prevent waterlogging.

Fertilization

During the spring and summer growing season, add a balanced fertiliser for flowering plants to the potting compost, diluting it in the watering can without exceeding the recommended dose or frequency.

Do not apply fertiliser to dry potting compost.

Pet friendly

Toxic

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Human toxicity

Toxic

advise 1

This plant can live for a decade and sometimes even longer, growing larger over time and producing spectacular flowers. Do not move it to a larger pot too soon, as it flowers best when its roots have filled all the available space. Furthermore, do not repot it once it starts to form the flower stalk, as the buds will easily fall off. It can be propagated by division, from clumps or by separating offshoots, which should be done after flowering. This should be done when the offshoot has at least 4–5 leaves with some roots at the base. For this reason, once you have bought a Clivia, it or its ‘offspring’ will keep you company forever with minimal care. In Mediterranean climates with milder winters, Clivias can be planted in the ground to decorate corners of the garden or paths, provided they are in the shade; they can, in fact, withstand a few brief frosts (-1°C). It is toxic. Clivia contains licorine, which can be toxic to humans and animals. Ingestion can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive salivation. It is therefore advisable to place it in a safe location.