How to Grow and Care for Bush Lily (Clivia miniata) Indoors
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Bush Lily (Clivia miniata) blooms in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm conditions, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Clivia miniata also called Natal Lily is one of the popular flowering plants and bears large clusters of flowers and easily adapts to indoor growing conditions.
Natal Lily is a sensitive plant which does not like to be disturbed therefore, don't move the plant when in bud or flower and don't repot unless the plant is pushing out of the container.
However, when given the right conditions Bush Lily grows into large clumps. The plant spreads by means of rhizomes which store water and enable the plant to go for long periods without being watered. It is one of the best plants with low water needs.
Botanical name: Clivia miniata
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Common names: Bush Lily, Natal Lily
Origin
Clivia miniata is native to the woodland habitats of South Africa as well as Swaziland.
Size
Clivia miniata grows to a height of 18 inches and the flowers about 10-20 are borne on top of a tall stalk. On account of its compact size and requirement for some direct sunshine, Bush Lily is one of the best plants for a sunny balcony.
Flower
The flowers in Bush Lily are orange, red, cream and yellow, and may have a faint but very sweet perfume. The flowers about 10-20 are borne on top of a tall stalk. It will not bloom when temperatures are high or if the watering rules are not followed. On account of its spectacular blooms Natal Lily is among the best plants for a front porch or main entrance where it will create a great first impression.
Toxicity
Bush Lily (Clivia miniata) contains small amounts of lycorine which makes it toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Keep it away from the reach of children and pets.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add Bush Lily to your collection? You may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Bush Lily Care Indoors
Bush Lily (Clivia miniata) blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-280C , moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Natal Lily does not like too frequent repotting as it blooms best when pot-bound. Pruning is needed to keep the plant neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Bush Lily thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between watering to keep the soil moderately moist through out.
Decrease watering in the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow it to dry out completely.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Clivia miniata does not like to sit in overly wet soil as it can cause rotting of the underground rhizomes.
Light Requirements
Bush Lily grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunshine to promote flowering. Keep it away from hot direct sunlight as it will cause scorching and yellowish, washed out leaves.
Clivia miniata will also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not sufficient.Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure the plant receives adequate light on all sides for even growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average room temperature of 16-280C is ideal for Bush Lily. Keep it away from cold drafts as they can cause flowerbud drop and reduced growth.
Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Clivia miniata. It has no need for high humidity. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases infestations.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Bush Lily should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed Bush Lily with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed during the cold period as growth is minimal at this time.
Repotting
Repot Bush Lily after flowering into a pot one size larger than the current one, only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Being pot-bound is important as it encourages flowering.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining soil to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant.
Do not repot a plant that is in flower as the repotting shock can cause flowerbud drop and short flowering period. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Clivia miniata involves removal of dead blooms and leaves to keep the plant neat and reduce pest and disease infestations. Cutback the leaves at the base when they begin to shrivel.
Propagation
Bush Lily (Clivia miniata) can be propagated by plant division at repotting time.
How to propagate Bush Lily by plant division
Carefully divide the Bush Lily rhizome into sections while ensuring each section has adequate roots and some leaves.
Pot these sections in moist, well-drained soil in individual pots. Ensure each pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to rotting.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and maintain the soil moist thorough out.
Allow the new Natal Lily plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Bush Lily Problems
Bush Lily (Clivia miniata) problems include brown leaves, yellow leaves, flowerbud drop, lack of blooms, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Yellowing leaves
Yellowing leaves in Bush Lily are an indication of root-rot. The leaves begin wilting, turn yellow and rot if the situation is not corrected.
The disease is a common disease in Natal Lily if the soil becomes soggy (holds too much water). Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining. Read more on how to treat root-rot in indoor plants.
Diseases
Bush Lily is prone to damping off, leaf rust and leaf spot which are prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy and reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
Do not mist the leaves and ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent disease infestations. Read more on how to identify and treat diseases in houseplants.
Pests
Bush Lily is prone to mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
No blooms
There are five possible reasons why Bush Lily will not bloom (flower). One possible reason is too frequent repotting as it flowers best when pot-bound. Repot the plant only when it is extremely pot-bound. Being pot-bound is important to encourage flowering.
The second possible reason why Natal Lily will not bloom (flower) is underfeeding. Feed it with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to encourage flowering.
The third possible reason why Bush Lily is not blooming (flowering) is underwatering (too little moisture in the soil). Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist through out.
Cut down on watering in the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow it to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
The fourth possible reason why Bush Lily will not bloom (flower) is too high temperature due to hot drafts. Maintain an average room temperature of 16-280C and protect the plant from hot drafts like hot air vents, hot surfaces and others.
The fifth possible reason why Bush Lily will not bloom (flower) is too little light as it blooms best under bright light with some direct sunshine. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some direct sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Flowerbud drop
There are three possible reasons for flowerbud drop in Bush Lily. One possible reason for flower bud drop is underwatering. Water the plant thoroughly until the water comes out through the drainage holes. Maintain the soil moderately moist and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
The second possible reasons for flowerbud drop in Bush Lily is underfeeding. Feed it every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer to promote flowering.
The third possible reasons for flowerbud drop in Bush Lily is sudden change in temperature due to cold drafts. Keep the plant away from cold draughts to maintain an average room temperature and do not move it when in bud.
Brown leaf marks
One cause of brown leaf marks in Bush Lily is exposure to hot direct sunshine. Grow the plant under bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight but away from hot midday sunshine.
The second cause of brown leaf marks in Bush Lily is soggy soil brought about by poor quality soil. Use loose, well-drained soil and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Yellowish, washed out leaves
Yellowish, washed out leaves in Bush Lily are an indication of exposure of the plant to too hot sunshine. Move the plant to a shadier spot or shield it from hot direct sunshine.
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