September Lily Clivia miniata
Other Common Name(s):
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:
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- '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'
- 'Golden Dragon', 'Good Hope', 'Longwood Debutante', 'Longwood Fireworks', 'Longwood Sunrise'
- Tags:
- 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'
- 'Golden Dragon', 'Good Hope', 'Longwood Debutante', 'Longwood Fireworks', 'Longwood Sunrise'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Insignificant
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Acaulescent, no visible stem
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-
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