Clivia Plant Problems

Clivia

Q: My Clivia plant of 15 years has been declining and no longer flowers. What could be the trouble?

A: Clivias are beautiful, long lived houseplants known for their striking clusters of flowers and strap shaped leaves. They like bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering, allowing soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. They also like a rest during the winter months to encourage spring blooms. Feed monthly during spring/summer with a balanced fertilizer, but stop in fall, and provide a cool, dry rest from November-February with minimal watering before gradually resuming regular water and food for flowering. While they do produce a large root system they don’t like overly large pots. Keep them reasonably rootbound for best growth and flowering. Repot every few years to refresh the soil and move them up a pot size if needed.

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Read our Q & As with Keith Funk answering common Colorado gardening questions here. You can also hear him on the Garden Wise Radio Show