Natal lily (Clivia miniata)
Natal lily (Clivia miniata) is a conservatory or greenhouse grown type of plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Natal lily (Clivia miniata).
This plant is commonly known as Natal lily.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Natal lily
Scientific name: Clivia miniata
Plant type: Conservatory & Greenhouse, Houseplants
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Patio & Container Garden
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Natal lily (Clivia miniata) – SAplants, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Clivia to consider:
See all Clivia
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Natal lily (Clivia miniata), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Natal lily (Clivia miniata) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Clivia miniata likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Natal lily (Clivia miniata) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Natal lily (Clivia miniata) – AfroBrazilian, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
