Clivia miniata

Clivia miniata, Bush Lily, is a well-known perennial Amaryllid with broad, dark green, strap-shaped foliage which in time forms a large impressive clump. In spring it produces delightful heads of bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers which have a faint but pleasant fragrance.

Clivia miniata is frost-tender and although I did once overwinter a clump outdoors it is not an experiment worth repeating. To keep its elegant foliage it needs to be kept above freezing point and will lose leaves in even a light frost and although a large plant will often recover from the roots, the foliage takes a long time to regrow and retain its good looks.

It is perfect as a housplant in the UK and will do well in a shady conservatory or - in warmer locations - even in a shady porch. In its natural range it grows under the forest canopy in dappled shade and shade is the other main cultivational requirement as the leaves will quickly scorch in direct sunlight.

Clivia miniata is a great low-fuss plant to bring your exotic planting indoors.