Natal lily
Clivia miniata
Overview
The Natal lily (Clivia miniata) is a beautiful and unique plant native to South Africa. It produces vibrant orange and yellow trumpet-shaped blooms which appear in spring or summer. It is adapted to surviving in habitats with extreme temperatures, bright sunlight and poor soils, making it an amazingly hardy species. The Natal lily is also low maintenance and grows in clumps, meaning it won’t spread aggressively in the garden. It’s a great addition and can be grown in pots or indoors – making it an ideal option to brighten up any room. In addition, it’s long-lived and its sturdy flowers will remain beautiful for many years.
Care Guide
Watering
Natal lilies should be watered once every 7-10 days during the summer months, and every 10-14 days during the winter months. They should be watered thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes each time. The soil should be damp to the touch, but not overly wet. If the soil is overly wet, it can cause the plant to rot.
Light
Natal lilies prefer full sunlight for about 4-6 hours each day, preferably in the morning or early afternoon. The plant grows best in an environment with some protection from the hottest and strongest afternoon sun. Too much direct sunlight may cause the leaves to yellow or curl.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 9-11.
Pruning
Natal lily (Clivia miniata) should be pruned every 6-12 months, and should be pruned slightly, removing no more than 1/3 of the plant’s total foliage. Pruning should be done in the spring or summer, after flowering has finished but before flowering starts for the following year. This will allow the plant to get the energy it needs for other activities, such as forming new flowers and foliage. Pruning should be done carefully to avoid damaging the plant, and any dead or dying foliage should be removed.
Propagation
Division, Seed Propagation, Offsets, Tissue Culture
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