Plant DetailShow Menu

September Lily Clivia miniata

Previously known as:

  • Imantophyllum miniatum
Phonetic Spelling
KLIV-ee-ah min-ee-AY-tah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Natal lily is a broadleaf, evergreen, herbaceous perennial that is native to South Africa and Swaziland. The plant is found growing in the subtropical forests and bushlands of southern Africa.

This plant is a member of the  Amaryllidaceae (onion) family. It has a clumping habit and strappy or sword-like, dark green leaves. The strong fleshy stem supports a cluster of 12 to 20, large, funnel-shaped flowers that are dark scarlet-orange with a yellow throat. The flowers are showy, long-lasting, and may be used as cut flowers. If pollinated, it produces red berries. The plant grows up to 2 feet high and 3 feet wide and resembles the amaryllis; however, the flowers of the natal lily are smaller.

The genus name, Clivia, is in honor of Lady Charlotte Florentina Clive who was a Duchess of Northumberland. The genus was named in 1828 by John Lindley, a Kew botanist. The specific epithet, miniata, is Latin and means cinnabar red or "red oxide of lead." This references the orange-red color of the flowers.

In a tropical environment, the natal lily requires dappled sunlight to deep shade. In North Carolina, where it is grown as a houseplant, morning sun is best. It prefers to be kept rootbound and can remain in the same pot for as long as five years. It is drought tolerant. Water early in the day and provide good air circulation. When potted, it will flower best when given a dormant, rest period of a month or two with nighttime temperatures below 50 degrees. 

In warmer climates such as USDA Zones 9 to 11, the natal lily can be grown as a herbaceous perennial. It takes a few years for a natal lily plant to bloom, so it is best to purchase a mature plant unless you are very patient.

Quick ID Hints:

  • dark green, thick, and strap-like leaves with a glossy leathery texture.
  • strong, thick, fleshy stalk
  • long-lasting, dense clusters of 12 to 20 funnel-shaped flowers that are dark scarlet-orange with yellow throats, blooming early winter to mid-spring
  • fruits are berries that are initially green and turn red

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for mealybugs, scales, and mites. If planted outdoors, snails may feed on the flowers.  Overwatering can cause crown rot. Overhead watering can cause leaf diseases such as rust. 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Golden Dragon'
    yellow flowers
  • 'Good Hope'
    yellow flowers
  • 'Longwood Debutante'
    Pale yellow flowers with a green throat
  • 'Longwood Fireworks'
    Pale yellow flowers with reflexed petals and extended stamens
  • 'Longwood Sunrise'
    Orange flowers with a yellow eyespot
'Golden Dragon', 'Good Hope', 'Longwood Debutante', 'Longwood Fireworks', 'Longwood Sunrise'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#drought tolerant#shade garden#showy leaves#orange flowers#showy fruits#herbaceous perennial#clumping#problem for cats#ebh#ebh-h#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#hsc#hsc-fl#patio#border
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Golden Dragon'
    yellow flowers
  • 'Good Hope'
    yellow flowers
  • 'Longwood Debutante'
    Pale yellow flowers with a green throat
  • 'Longwood Fireworks'
    Pale yellow flowers with reflexed petals and extended stamens
  • 'Longwood Sunrise'
    Orange flowers with a yellow eyespot
'Golden Dragon', 'Good Hope', 'Longwood Debutante', 'Longwood Fireworks', 'Longwood Sunrise'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#drought tolerant#shade garden#showy leaves#orange flowers#showy fruits#herbaceous perennial#clumping#problem for cats#ebh#ebh-h#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#hsc#hsc-fl#patio#border
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clivia
    Species:
    miniata
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern South Africa
    Distribution:
    Mexico and the United States
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    If the flowers are pollinated, they will produce a green berry that is the size of a cherry. The fruit will turn red, and the seeds take a year to ripen.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2-3 inch long funnel-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red have 12-20 blooms in each inflorescence.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2-3 feet long, bright green, strap-like basal leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Insignificant
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Acaulescent, no visible stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias. Bulbs are the most poisonous part.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Lycorine and other alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems