Clivia miniata

Common Names

Clivia, Bush Lily, Kaffir Lily, Natal Lily, Clivia Lily, Flame Lily, Fire Lily

Summary

Natal lily is an evergreen clump-forming perennial native to southern Africa, with dark green strap-shaped leaves arising from a fleshy base. Dense stalks bear umbels of funnel-shaped flowers in orange-red with a yellow throat, produced mainly in late winter to early spring, and the plant typically reaches about 2–3 feet tall and wide, offering architectural foliage and glossy texture that suits shade gardens or container use.

It prefers bright indirect light or shade, avoids direct sun, and grows best in well-drained soil; drought-tolerant with fleshy roots and frost sensitivity, it is often kept rootbound with repotting every 3–5 years. Watering is thorough during the growing season and reduced in winter, with a cool rest period of 6–8 weeks at about 50°F to trigger flowering, then resume regular watering and feeding; fertilize monthly during growth with half-strength 20–20-20, and propagate mainly by division (offsets) though seeds are possible but slow to mature. Pests such as mealybugs and scale may occur, and lycorine makes the plant toxic; outdoors it can be grown in zones 9–11 and indoors in brighter indirect light when not in bloom, commonly used as a border, container plant, or houseplant.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-3 feet

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-11

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun, Partial shade, Partial sun.

Soil Type

Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil; a porous, chunky mix such as orchid bark-based potting mix or a sandy, fast-draining mix

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil (fast-draining, porous, chunky) that does not pool water; top 1–2 inches should dry between waterings.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Orange

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Dark green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds