Like all clivia species, C. caulescens is a long-lived plant and can survive indefinitely under ideal conditions: light shade; a well-drained growing medium; cool conditions ranging from 3ºC-28ºC; and adequate moisture. Although a mature plant of this species will survive frost, all the leaves will be burnt and the plant will take a couple of years to recover.

In cultivation, it requires a frost-free area with light shade, a well-drained growing medium, cool conditions and not a great deal of water. As the plant grows fairly tall, the following shade-loving plants complement this species: Streptocarpus species; Asparagus densiflorus; Veltheimia bracteata; Clivia miniata and C. gardenii. The two additional Clivia species flower at different times to C. caulescens and give added interest and colour in the garden. C. caulescens also makes a good potplant.

An annual application of a 100 mm layer of compost plus an organic fertilizer will keep the clivia in good condition.

Propagation from seed requires harvesting the seed nine months after flowering. Remove the soft covering tissue and sow the fresh seed in a growing medium of matured pine bark at a depth which just covers the seed. A 15-cm pot is ideal for sowing the seed which must be kept moist and in the shade. Once the leaves of the seedlings are 50 mm long they can be pricked out into a 15-cm pot (3 seedlings per pot ) and left to grow on for a year. Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer is essential for good growth.

After a year, repot the seedlings into individual 20-cm pots where they should flower 3 to 4 years from sowing. Another method of propagation is by dividing the large plant. Firstly remove all of the growing medium from the roots. The numerous suckers which have developed can now be carefully separated from the main plant. They can either be planted in a pot or directly into the garden. They should flower the following year. Division can be done at any time of the year except when the plant is in flower.