How to Water a Clivia? A Detailed Guide to the Correct Watering Method

Clivia is a common houseplant flower, and its broad, opposite leaves can absorb dust and pollutants from the air, making it deeply loved by everyone. So what is the method for watering clivia? Besides this, what other cultivation points need attention?

1. What is the method for watering clivia?

1. Combine thorough and partial watering

Do not water thoroughly every time, and do not always avoid watering thoroughly. When only the surface layer lacks water, replenish only the surface water; when the water content in the lower layer is insufficient, then water thoroughly.

2. Combine water and fertilizer

Add a little liquid fertilizer each time you water. This not only helps improve the water quality, but is also very beneficial to the growth of clivia.

3. Combine dry and wet

The soil should often be in a dry——semi-dry and semi-wet——wet state (note that when dry, the soil water content must not be lower than 30 %). This is beneficial to the survival of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in the potting soil, and is beneficial to the growth of clivia.

4. When transplanting and planting at home, the surface layer of the potting soil is often easier than in a greenhouse or cellar. If large amounts of water are used for irrigation, the water volume is often too large and too rapid, so it either does not water evenly or does not water thoroughly. The suitable method is: when the plant does not need thorough watering, use a spray bottle with pressure to moisten and spray through the surface of the potting soil. When thorough watering is needed, use a dedicated watering can (with many small holes at the spout) to sprinkle water evenly over every part of the potting soil, thereby achieving the best watering effect.

5. Combine top and bottom

When clivia needs thorough watering, place the flower pot in a large basin containing a certain amount of water, so that the water in the basin can slowly seep into the potting soil through the hole at the bottom of the pot. If you want to speed up watering, use a small container to pour the water in the basin from above. After watering thoroughly, drain off the water flowing out of the pot. Households growing a relatively small number of clivias can use this method.

2. Other Cultivation Points to Note for Clivia

1. Beware of wind

In early spring, after clivia has passed through winter dormancy, its root system begins to revive. Due to the lack of nutrient supply,—once exposed to wind and sun, the leaves will show dehydration, causing their gloss to fade and their hardness and thickness to decrease. In severe cases, yellow leaves, rotten leaves and other conditions may even occur.

Therefore, at this time pay even more attention: clivia is drought-tolerant but not moisture-tolerant, and keeping the potted plant generally moist is enough. Too much watering easily causes root rot. Before the flower stalk emerges and blooms, avoid spraying water. Apply fully decomposed liquid fertilizer once a week or once every half a month, but follow the principle of “light fertilizer applied frequently”, and strictly avoid concentrated fertilizer or raw fertilizer to prevent leaf scorch and root rot.

2. Beware of sunlight

Clivia does not have strict light requirements. It likes semi-shade and fears direct light. Because summer air temperature and soil temperature are relatively high, it is easy for the root system to become disordered, leading to unbalanced nutrient absorption and causing phenomena such as a stretched neck and runaway leaves.

In addition, due to intense sunlight exposure, transpiration is greatly increased. If watering is improper, the leaf color will become dull and scorched yellow, or even wilt.