How to Water a Clivia? Detailed Watering Methods for Different Seasons

The seasons differ completely in climate, and the clivia is also at different stages of growth and development, so its water requirements differ and the amount of water given differs as well.

(1) Watering in spring

In spring the climate gradually turns warmer, but cold spells can still have an effect. Generally, water clivia once every 2 to 3 days, watering at 9 to 10 a.m. If the weather is dry, you can also spray the leaves.

(2) Watering in summer

In midsummer, clivia grows slowly. Depending on the weather, stick to the principle of watering once a day and watering thoroughly each time. Never let water run into the heart of the leaves, as this can cause rot. Do not water, or water less, on rainy days, and promptly pour out any water that collects in the pot after rain.

If the temperature is above 30°C, with long spells of clear weather and no rain, and the air is too dry, transpiration from the clivia leaves will increase, causing the leaf margins to shrivel and scorch and the leaves to lose their luster and color. Therefore, pay attention to maintaining relatively high air humidity: you can often spray the leaves and splash water on the ground. This not only lowers the temperature, raises air humidity and reduces leaf transpiration, making the leaves glossy and bright, but also reduces the amount and frequency of watering the potting soil in the hot summer, which helps promote the vigorous growth of the fleshy roots and rhizomes, encourages new small roots to form, and can prevent and reduce the occurrence and harm of root rot in a stuffy, hot environment.

In hot, clear summer weather, you can spray clivia 2 to 3 times a day to ensure it gets through the summer safely. In summer, watering is generally best done in the morning and evening; never water at noon. The potting soil is best kept on the drier side.

(3) Watering in autumn

In autumn the weather gradually turns cooler. Watering should be done at 9 to 10 a.m., about once every 2 to 3 days. The potting soil should still be kept slightly dry.

Clivia can be sprayed on the leaves all year round. Its requirement for air humidity is that it should be on the moist side during the growing season and on the dry side during dormancy. In autumn (basically the same as in spring), depending on changes in temperature and humidity, spray once a day or once every few days. Rainwater is the better water quality (snow water can be used south of the Yangtze River), river water and tap water are next, and well water is best not used.

(4) Watering in winter

Winter temperatures are low. In many provinces south of the Yangtze River the climate is cold, and clivia is generally in a dormant state, needing little water, so it can be watered once every 5 to 7 days, at noon on a clear day. If the room temperature is below 10°C, lower humidity is beneficial for overwintering and frost protection, so there is no need to spray much water, ensuring a safe winter.

In Guangdong, however, the climate is relatively warm, and except in unusual years there is rarely frost in winter. Temperatures are generally above 5 to 10°C. So clivia rarely goes dormant in Guangdong; it continues to grow in winter and can still produce new leaves. Although growth is very slow, it can be watered once every 3 to 5 days, following the principle of keeping the potting soil slightly dry, and sprayed once every 2 to 3 days to increase air humidity, which benefits the growth of the clivia.