Reiman's Pick
For the week of June 21, 2010
Stephanie Haase, Indoor Horticulture Intern
Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University
Kaffir lilies, St. John’s lilies, and fire lilies are the common names for one very uncommon plant, Clivia miniata. Derived from “clivia nobilis” this scientific name is a tribute to Lady Charlotte Clive. Lady Clive, the Duchess of Northlumberland, was the first to cultivate the plant in Great Britain after it was discovered by John Lindley in South Africa in 1815.
Kaffir lily became very popular because it could well tolerate the low-light conditions of Victorian Europe and easily became highly cultivated. Today, it’s still popular in Europe, Asia, and Australia, where it is known as the “Queen of House Plants”. In North America, Clivia miniata is a popular houseplant that can withstand the toughest conditions.
In Iowa kaffir lily grows best as a house plant. It can reach up to 18” in height and has beautiful evergreen flat-shaped leaves arranged in an alternating pattern. It takes three to five years for a kaffir lily to bloom. A single inflorescence will emerge consisting of twelve to twenty trumpet-shaped flowers. Though it blooms quite rarely, the most common color is orange with yellow centers. Yet, cultivars with whitish yellow through the spectrum to red have are also seen. Rare variegated leaf forms are available and highly sought after by collectors.
If grown in the summer months outdoors, kaffir lily does best in dappled shade and sheltered areas with regular watering. Potting media should have good drainage and gardeners need to be aware that low light conditions will inhibit blooming. Kaffir lilies naturally bloom in late winter to early spring. These are striking additions to your house plant collection, and overall requires little special treatment.
To experience the beauty of the “Queen of house plants”, join us at Reiman Gardens and visit the Conservatory where we have several specimens in bloom in the “All Bottled Up” summer display.
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