Field of Science

Friday Fabulous Flower - Clivia


This time of year it's unusual for a house plant to be the featured FFF, but this is one of the house plants that could go outside for the summer, but doesn't. Not sure why.  This was a gift from a friend who got the plant from her Mother (?) and having propagated some off shoots decided to hand them out.  Clivias are pretty easy, pretty spectacular house plants. There are lots of varieties and TPP doesn't know how many species are in cultivation; this is probably cultivar of  Clivia minuata.  It's pretty obviously a amaryllid and they are native to S. Africa.  The dark green leathery leaves are quite handsome and it does well in bright indirect light. Around here it would grow outside OK, but as it prefers very well drained soil and drying out between waterings, the upper midwest is probably too wet, too humid (right now our weather is beastly hot and humid).  Every now and again, about once a year, a many flowered inflorescence appears from within a fan of leaves.  The flowers are large, bright, and long lasting. It almost thrives on neglect. Maybe Linda will give you a plant too.

2 comments:

William M. Connolley said...

Ah, thank you. I've been wondering what the plant on my driveway that I picked up from someone else who had divided some roots was.

Is https://www.flickr.com/photos/belette/28456367886/ a Clivia? (Don't wince too badly). It wasn't very happy to be outside in ~0 oC last winter.

The Phytophactor said...

How very sad your picture was!