Originating mostly from KwaZulu-Natal, C. gardenii makes a beautiful addition to the shady garden. It is apparently able to tolerate fairly dry conditions, as the roots are fleshy and have water storage capabilities. This makes it a wonderful waterwise garden plant. It is also an excellent pot specimen that requires a well drained humus-rich potting medium.

If planted in very deep shade, flowering may be adversely affected. Clivia also do not thrive in sunny conditions, becoming yellow and stunted. They should be planted in a shady position with plenty of compost and bone-meal added to the soil.

Propagation may be through division or by seed. Clumps can be split up in late winter and replanted or bagged. Seed should be cleaned as soon as it is harvested. The fleshy pulp is peeled off revealing the large, pearly seed within.  The seeds should be sown immediately in a deep seed-tray with seedling mix. The large seeds can be pressed gently into the seedling mix until they are flush with the surface and then covered lightly with sieved mix. If the seedling mix is too tightly packed in the tray, the young root will not be able to penetrate it and will lift the seedling right out of the soil. The medium should not be allowed to dry out and since germination is relatively slow, the seed trays should be monitored for signs of algal or fungal growth on the surface.

PLEASE NOTE that Clivia belong to the family Amaryllidaceae of which many species are poisonous and it is advisable to wash your hands after handling the plants.