How to Root Clivia (Kaffir Lily) Leaves by Soilless Cutting

Because of its emerald green, upright form and its noble, gentleman-like name, Clivia has been loved by many scholars and literati through the ages. Even in modern society, many flower lovers still grow a few pots of Clivia at home for viewing and to purify the air. So what is the secret method for rooting Clivia leaves? And how exactly is the soilless leaf cutting method for Clivia carried out?

I. The secret method for rooting Clivia leaves is to take a middle leaf for rooting

Many flower lovers may think, rooting from a leaf, how is that possible? After all, we generally propagate Clivia by sowing seeds and dividing offsets, and can Clivia survive planting without roots? Rooting from leaves has never been heard of either. However, some flower lovers say that leaves can indeed root, and that there is even a secret method.

So what do these secret methods refer to? If we use Clivia leaves to make them root, then we must select suitable leaves; only when the leaf standard is met will it be favorable for the Clivia leaf to root.

1. The leaf has a pseudobulb

If we want to achieve leaf rooting, we must select a leaf with a pseudobulb at its base, that is, a leaf with a little bit of root base, so that rooting can be guaranteed.

2. Choose a middle leaf

If you do not choose a leaf with a root base, then you must select a middle leaf of the Clivia. This is because the middle leaves grow more robustly and are more favorable for rooting afterward.

Then, once we have selected a leaf meeting one of these two conditions, we can plant it. Choose loose, breathable soil, best made by mixing 50% pine needles with 50% sand and gravel, insert the leaf into the soil, and then care for it according to the usual Clivia care methods; after about two months it will root. So the secret method for rooting Clivia leaves is feasible.

II. The water culture method for Clivia leaves

Soilless cutting, as the name suggests, means cutting without soil. If we cut without soil, we can use the water culture method. This then becomes the soilless cutting method. So what is the soilless leaf cutting method for Clivia like?

We take a healthy Clivia leaf, then use a transparent glass container, put the Clivia leaf into the glass container, pour in water just to the level of the leaf's end, and place it in a sunny spot, but be careful not to use strong, intense light. After about four weeks, the Clivia leaf will grow small roots.

III. Placing Clivia at home purifies the air and also symbolizes good fortune

Clivia is the first choice for many flower lovers to place at home to purify the air. But some flower lovers also worry that the sticky liquid secreted from the edges of Clivia leaves may be harmful to the body; in fact, there is no need to worry about this at all. The sticky liquid secreted by Clivia leaves can be called a natural vacuum cleaner; it can absorb dust and harmful gases in the air, which is very good.

Moreover, the flower language of Clivia is modest gentleman, gentle and courteous; placing it at home can also show the owner's bearing. In terms of feng shui, Clivia has spiritual energy; if the family is harmonious, the Clivia will grow especially vigorously, and the appearance of Clivia is inherently very elegant, so placing it in the study at home can also increase the air of literary refinement and lift the owner's career to the next level.

IV. Clivia can be placed in the bedroom

Flower lovers often hear that plants cannot be placed in the bedroom, because plants need to absorb oxygen at night, and thus would compete with the human body for oxygen. So can Clivia be placed in the bedroom? Actually, it can, because from the above we can see that the sticky liquid at the edges of Clivia leaves can absorb dust and filter the indoor air.

And the claim about competing for oxygen does not hold either, because Clivia is a shade-loving plant and only needs a little light to carry out photosynthesis, and when it carries out photosynthesis the oxygen it releases is greater than the oxygen Clivia absorbs, so there is no need to worry about this issue of competing with people for oxygen.