Kaffir Lily

Botanical Name: Clivia miniata

Kaffir Lily is a dependable spring bloomer indoors. This member of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) bears clusters of 10-15 trumpet-shaped flowers above a thick, upright stem.

Bright orange flowers with yellow centers are most common; however, red, peach, yellow or white varieties are sometimes available.

Dark green strappy leaves are 2 in (5 cm) wide and can reach about 18 in (45 cm) long.

How to Make Clivia Bloom

Give this plant a cool, dry rest for 6-8 weeks in fall to make it bloom. You can move it outside for a month before the first frost, then bring it back inside and keep it in a cool room until midwinter. After this rest, the increase of water along with normal room temperatures will bring a spectacular show of blooms in March or April.

This beautiful bloomer prefers to be slightly pot-bound and can stay in the same pot for 3 years or more. Its thick, fleshy roots often appear on the surface of the soil. Just top dress every year by adding fresh soil as needed.

Origin: South Africa

Height: Up to 18 in (45 cm)

Light: Bright light, no direct sun.

Water: Keep soil evenly moist in spring and summer. In fall and early winter, water sparingly just to keep plant from drying out completely. Gradually increase watering in midwinter.

Humidity: Average humidity

Temperature: Winter through summer, average temperatures 60-75°F, 16-24°C. In fall, a cool rest of 40-55°F, 4-13°C is needed for 6-8 weeks.

Soil: Peat moss based potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring to fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Division. This plant's thick, fleshy roots are somewhat fragile. Carefully detach offsets with roots from the parent plant immediately after flowering and pot in separate containers.