Bush lily (clivia) Clivia miniata
Bush lily (clivia) (Clivia miniata) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Amaryllidaceae family, native to Forest understorey of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Eswatini. It grows 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall and 50–80 cm (20–31 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Bush lily (clivia) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Bush lily (clivia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Mature height | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Forest understorey of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Eswatini |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Bush lily (clivia) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, rhizome
Contains lycorine and clivonine; rhizome and roots cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bush lily (clivia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
See Bush lily (clivia) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (16 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (20 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (5 plants)
Questions about Bush lily (clivia)
- How far apart should I plant Bush lily (clivia)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–80 cm (20–31 in).
- Does Bush lily (clivia) need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bush lily (clivia) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Bush lily (clivia)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Bush lily (clivia) flower?
- From about March for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bush lily (clivia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains lycorine and clivonine; rhizome and roots cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea.
- What grows well with Bush lily (clivia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bush lily (clivia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Needs a cool, drier winter rest to flower well; frost-tender (container plant in cold climates).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Onion Allium cepa
- Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus
- Garlic Allium sativum
- Leek Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum group)
- Chives Allium schoenoprasum
- Agapanthus Agapanthus praecox
- Ornamental allium Allium giganteum
- Shallot Allium cepa var. aggregatum