Those who grow Clivia know that this plant is not only beautiful, but its flowers are also very elegant, bringing a festive feel to the home and symbolizing good luck for the new year. To make Clivia bloom, two basic conditions must be met, and three key points must be paid attention to in daily care. Many flower lovers have kept Clivia for years without seeing it flower, and this is often due to incorrect care methods. Although Clivia is relatively easy to grow, getting it to grow well and bloom beautifully every year does require some skill.
Two Basic Conditions for Clivia to Bloom：
1. Reaching Flowering Age
Clivia does not flower as soon as it is mature—it needs time to grow. If it has only been cared for for two or three years, the plant is not yet fully developed and usually will not bloom. Generally, Clivia is more likely to flower when it has at least 14 leaves. Some plants may flower with only 12 leaves, but this depends on how they are cared for and their growing conditions.
2. Cool Treatment
Clivia needs a cool period to form flower buds. This means placing the plant in a slightly cooler environment during bud formation to help the buds develop. For Clivia, this usually happens from late autumn to early winter. You can leave it outdoors for some time, keeping daytime temperatures around 20°C and nighttime temperatures around 10°C, which helps flower buds form. This stage requires a temperature difference of about 8–10°C between day and night for around one month.
Tips for Making Clivia Bloom：
If your Clivia is ready to flower, using the right methods is key. With proper care, it can grow flower stalks and bloom beautifully within 15 days.
1. Avoid Too Small a Temperature Difference
Many people say Clivia blooms more easily in northern areas, mainly because of the temperature difference between day and night. Clivia needs to experience this change to grow properly. During the day, it uses warm sunlight to make food, and at night, it uses and stores these nutrients in cooler temperatures. If the temperature difference is less than 8°C, Clivia cannot fully process nutrients, which affects flower stalk growth.
Studies show that a temperature difference of 8–12°C is best, helping Clivia absorb and use nutrients, which is important for flower stalk growth. If the difference is too small, even if a flower stalk appears, it may get stuck and not bloom well.
2. Give It Enough Sunlight During the Day
Clivia is beautiful both in leaf and flower—even without flowers, healthy leaves are lovely to look at. Many people think Clivia does not like direct sun, but this is not completely true. Clivia’s need for sun depends on the season.
In summer, strong sunlight can burn Clivia leaves, so some shade is needed. However, in winter, sunlight is softer, and since Clivia is kept indoors, sunlight passing through glass is mild and just right for it.
So, in winter, Clivia needs more sunlight. You can place it in a sunny spot like a balcony. Sunlight through the glass keeps leaves bright green and helps Clivia make enough food through sunlight, supporting healthy growth and preparing it to flower.
3. Water Properly
A common mistake when caring for Clivia is watering too much. Clivia is sensitive to too much water, and overly wet soil can cause roots to rot. So, it is important to use loose, well-draining soil. Materials like pine needle soil or leaf mold can help keep the right moisture and let air in. When watering, wait until the top layer of soil is completely dry before watering deeply. Each time you water, make sure water reaches the bottom of the pot, but do not let the soil stay soggy for long.
4. Fertilize Lightly but Often
Clivia is a plant that likes fertilizer. With enough water and fertilizer, its leaves become thick and shiny, and it grows well. Especially when flowering, Clivia uses a lot of nutrients. If it only gets water and sunlight but no fertilizer, it will be hard for flower stalks to grow.
When fertilizing, remember “little and often.” This means the fertilizer should not be too strong, but you should fertilize regularly. For indoor Clivia, two types of fertilizer are commonly used: organic liquid fertilizer and water-soluble phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.
Before flowering: If Clivia is ready to flower, you can use phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (flower booster), like potassium dihydrogen phosphate or Flower More No. 2. These water-soluble fertilizers help flower buds form. When using, mix the fertilizer to a 0.1% strength and use it each time you water.
Young plants: If Clivia has fewer than 6–7 pairs of leaves, it is not yet ready to flower. Using flower booster fertilizer at this time will not work. Instead, use a balanced fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to help the plant grow leaves and roots, building a good base for future flowering.
Three Fertilizers Good for Clivia：
1. Bone Meal：Helps Flowering and Boosts Plant Health
Many flower lovers recommend bone meal for Clivia. Using bone meal does help Clivia grow well, especially making flowers bigger and brighter. Bone meal is mostly calcium, which helps Clivia roots grow strong and leaves become firm. When Clivia flowers, calcium also makes the flowers more colorful and helps them last longer.
How to use: Bone meal is best used in autumn. You can store bone meal powder in a closed container and let it ferment for two months until the liquid turns black, then use it to water plants. If you start fermenting in summer, it will be ready by autumn. Bone meal helps plants form flower buds quickly and supports root growth. Usually, using it once every two months is enough—do not use it too often. When applying, sprinkle bone meal near the edge of the pot and cover it with soil. It will slowly release nutrients when you water. Bone meal is mainly for autumn and winter. For young or weak plants, you can use it once or twice.
2. Oilseed Crops：Provide Plenty of Nitrogen
Oilseed crops like sesame, peanuts, and soybeans are great for fertilizer. They are rich in nitrogen and help Clivia grow fast during its growing season, especially when growing new leaves after spring flowering or in early autumn.
How to use: Boil and dry the oilseeds, then crush them and ferment in a sealed container for one to two months. You can use the fermented liquid to water Clivia or sprinkle crushed seeds near the base of the plant in the pot. Because they are high in nitrogen, be careful not to use too much or too often. It is best to use them during the growing season, especially in spring and early autumn.
3. Water-Soluble Fertilizer：Quickly Replenishes Nutrients and Aids Growth
Water-soluble fertilizers are very common for Clivia because plants absorb them quickly, helping them stay healthy and grow well. Common types include chemical fertilizers, multi-nutrient fertilizers, and compound fertilizers. These are easy to use—they do not need fermenting and can be mixed with water right away.
How to use: Water-soluble fertilizers are especially useful during the growing season, usually applied two to three times a month. In spring, choose a fertilizer high in nitrogen, like “Flower More No. 10,” to help Clivia grow new leaves quickly, resulting in thick leaves and strong roots. [1]In autumn, to help Clivia form flower buds, use phosphorus-potassium fertilizer—potassium dihydrogen phosphate is a common choice. Usually, mix it with water at a ratio of 1:1000 and apply every 7 to 10 days. At the same time, make sure the plant gets enough sunlight and water to help flower buds form and bloom well.
Helpful Notes：
Bone meal and oilseed crops need fermenting or burying in soil, and they release nutrients slowly, so be patient when using them. Water-soluble fertilizers work fast and are good for regular feeding.
Clivia is more likely to flower when it has at least 12 leaves—keeping the plant healthy is key to better blooming.
Source:
[1]https://www.theflowerwiki.com/skill/11757.html