Clivias can be a bit stubborn when they don’t get the attention they crave. If you’ve noticed yours is “skipping” its blooming season, don’t worry—with the right care, you can not only fix the problem but actually encourage an even more spectacular floral show. Let’s dive into what you need to do to get those vibrant blooms back.
Why Your Clivia Might Be Refusing to Bloom
I wouldn’t exactly call Clivias “low-maintenance.” Without specific care, they tend to lose their blooming power until the flowers disappear entirely. If your Clivia is on a blooming strike, it’s usually due to one of these common culprits:
- Moving the plant or changing its light source too often
- Skipping the essential winter dormancy period
- Lack of fertilizer
- Inconsistent watering
- Repotting too frequently
How to Get Your Clivia Blooming Again
To keep your Clivia happy and flowering, you need to establish a solid routine for both its growing season and its rest phase. Providing the right amount of water and fertilizer (without overdoing it!) is key. Also, a golden rule for these plants: only repot your Clivia when it’s absolutely necessary. They actually like being a little root-bound!
Finding the Perfect Spot for Flowers
Setting your plant up for success starts with picking the right location. Once you find a good spot, try to leave it there! Clivias love bright light but hate direct sun. Harsh midday rays can actually scorch the foliage, leading to yellow or brown leaves.
Ideally, you should only move the pot when it’s time to transition to its winter home. Even rotating the plant can stress it out, so try to keep it facing the same way. A cool, quiet winter spot is non-negotiable—it’s during this “nap” that the plant gathers the energy to produce those gorgeous flowers.
Pro-Tips for Clivia Care
Your Clivia definitely needs fertilizer to thrive, but “less is more” is the name of the game here. If you skip feeding altogether, the blooms will suffer; however, over-fertilizing can lead to sickly leaves. Never fertilize in the winter! Doing so can cause “leggy” growth that is too weak to support flowers. Finally, make sure your watering schedule adjusts with the seasons to keep your plant in peak condition.
