How to Grow Clivia Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily
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Clivia Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily
Clivia miniata 'Striata'
flowerClivia miniata 'Striata' is a striking evergreen houseplant featuring dark green leaves with prominent cream or yellow longitudinal stripes. It produces dramatic clusters of orange, red, or yellow tubular flowers in spring and is prized for its ornamental foliage and reliable flowering indoors.
When should you plant Clivia Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily in your zone?
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Example Clivia Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Clivia Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Clivia Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10b-11; grown indoors in cooler climates
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Get my Clivia Lily, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
2-3 monthsYoung plant with 4-6 emerging leaves, rhizome establishing root system
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright, indirect light. Hold off fertilizing for first 2-3 months. Maintain warm temperatures (65-75°F).
Vegetative Growth
6-18 monthsPlant produces 8-12 strap-like leaves with prominent cream striping; no flowers yet
Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Water regularly during growing season. Gradually increase light. Maintain consistent warm temperatures.
Pre-flowering
1-2 monthsLeaf production continues; flower buds begin forming at leaf axils (base of older plants)
Provide cool period (55-60°F) for 6-8 weeks in late fall to promote flowering. Reduce watering slightly. Maintain bright light.
Flowering
3-4 weeksProduces 1-2 umbels (clusters) of 12-20 tubular flowers in orange, red, or yellow; blooms appear among foliage
Do not move plant or disturb. Maintain consistent moisture. Keep in bright, indirect light. Support heavy flower clusters if needed. Enjoy blooms for 2-4 weeks.
Seed Production & Rest
9-12 monthsFlowers fade; orange berry-like seed pods develop if pollinated. Plant enters dormancy with reduced growth
Allow pods to mature for 9-12 months. Reduce watering and feeding. Keep temperatures cooler (50-60°F). Provide bright light to support variegation.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Isolate plant; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days. Wipe leaves with alcohol-soaked cotton swab for heavy infestations.
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Increase humidity to 60%+. Spray foliage with water or insecticidal soap. Use neem oil for severe infestations.
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Remove manually with cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. Apply horticultural oil or neem oil spray every 2 weeks until clear.
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Allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Use yellow sticky traps. Apply mosquito dunks to soil if severe.
Uses
None
CulinaryClivia is ornamental only and not edible. No culinary applications. [source]
Indoor air purification
HouseholdClivia removes indoor air pollutants including formaldehyde and benzene, improving household air quality while providing visual appeal. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
CraftThe striking orange or red flower clusters last 2-3 weeks in a vase and pair beautifully with greenery in floral designs and wedding arrangements. [source]
Hummingbird attraction (outdoor)
WildlifeIn zones 10-11 where plants grow outdoors, tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and sunbirds. Orange berries attract fruit-eating birds year-round. [source]
Traditional medicinal use
MedicinalIn South African and traditional medicine, Clivia root extracts have been used to support immune function, though clinical evidence is limited. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Clivia is an ornamental; enjoy flowers in place. For seed collection: allow orange seed pods to fully mature (9-12 months after flowering), then harvest when pods split. Seeds can be sown immediately in moist soil; germination takes 3-4 weeks at 70-75°F. Remove older outer leaves only when dead to maintain plant appearance.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Clivia miniata was named after the Duchess of Northumberland (Lady Clive) and is native only to South Africa, where it thrives in shaded forest understory.
- 🌱 The 'Striata' variegation is stable and bred to create dramatic foliage contrast; variegated plants flower later and less reliably than plain-leaved types.
- 🌱 Clivia can live 40+ years indoors and become a multi-generational houseplant; some plants are over 100 years old and still flowering reliably.
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